'Tis the Season for Being Grateful & Cozy
Finally, cozy holiday vibes are here! ✨
It’s Thanksgiving Eve in the US, and once we’re through the turkey and fixings, we reach the “official” kickoff to the Christmas season. Although the holiday season really seems to start as soon as Halloween wraps up (thanks to our pal Capitalism!)… Anyway!
I suppose it’s time to reflect on what we’re most grateful for in the past year. I think a lot of us do this more often than just at the end of November, but it’s always nice to remind ourselves. When I put it in writing, it feels a bit more significant. So, in gratitude:
I got through the firsts (when it comes to grief, that is — losing my father and my cat of seventeen years within months of each other).
I improved my novel significantly and am more prepared to query in the coming weeks/months.
I lost more weight and improved my diet, ditching takeout/eating out so much and opting to cook more at home (and I’m actually enjoying it?!).
I wrote more, I read more, and I recharged more.
I am eternally grateful for my husband, who helped me get through some of the darkest times… and for us making some seriously awesome, once in a lifetime memories despite those dark moments, like meeting/feeding a panda, hanging out with some penguins (to name exactly two of many).
Above all, my basic needs are being met. I have a roof over my head, a great day job I enjoy working, a healthy writing practice that continues to improve/grow, clothes on my body, blankets on my bed, and food for my table.
This time of year helps us gain perspective when reflecting on and reminding ourselves of the things (material and not) we have. It’s also a time of year that can be very stressful for a lot of people. From holiday gatherings to trying to fill stockings — it can be a lot.
When it comes to the various holiday gatherings… it’s nice to be in the company of the people we love. Hopefully conversations with toxic topics can be kept at bay, but if they can’t and you are uncomfortable, remember: you can leave the table. Take a walk outside to decompress if the weather is comfortable for you, excuse yourself to another room to take a beat, or simply head home early. It’s okay to protect your peace! Holiday gatherings should have no exception to holding your boundaries. Remember why you established a boundary and keep it in place. These gatherings are supposed to be a time filled with love and comfort and joy, not arguments or passive aggressive comments being flung across the table over turkey and stuffing. I hope everyone you’re hanging with this year can respect that. 🩷
Another thing this time of year brings is probably my favorite thing. TIME TO GET COZY. Yes! It’s finally time to get cozy!! I’m talking Amanda Woods escaping to the English cottage of Iris Simpkins cozy. (Yes, I watched The Holiday this week to get the holiday vibes started. It’s one of my faves!)
What I wouldn’t give to just spend the next two to three months like this.
I suppose I could, given I do work from home. I could work from bed, right? No one would know, thanks to Zoom backgrounds. Alas, I’ll make it to my desk each day but you can bet I’ll be wrapping myself in a cozy cardigan, fuzzy blanket, and will be sipping on hot coffee to get me through these colder, darker months. We will put up the Christmas tree, wrap it in gorgeous lights and tinsel, and hang our collection of ornaments on its branches. We’ll bathe in the glow of the holiday warmth and avoid the worst thing about winter: the cold.
It’s prime hibernation time. I pledge to only leave my house only under two conditions until March: to buy groceries/run errands or to travel somewhere warmer. [Okay, three: to take a walk outside if I can bundle up appropriately. I think it’s time I finally build my indoor gym to avoid having to do this, though.] I have no travel plans on the calendar (yet), so it looks like I’ll be hiding under my electric blanket until the days are longer and the sun shines more. I’m sure other things will come up to drag me out of my cozy home, begrudgingly, but this is my ideal state for the foreseeable future: staying at home, bundled up, being warm.
I think it can go without saying now, but just in case: winter is my least favorite season. If there’s some snow on the ground, it makes it a bit more tolerable, but for the most part… I hate it. I just hate being cold! I hate the dreary skies. The lack of sun. Maybe if winter always looked like Rosehill Cottage, it’d be different?
I mean, come on. Look at this cottage (that apparently doesn’t exist)! A wonderful cozy winter escape! TBH, I’d rather visit it in the summertime, but I digress. Winter sucks. It’s cold, and after the holidays end, everyone takes down their lights. In fact, I’d like to start a petition for making it a tradition to keep our holiday lights up through Valentine’s Day, or even through the end of February. Wouldn’t that be lovely? Bring some brightness until the grass begins to brighten and the buds on the trees begin to blossom? I think it’s something we need. Normalize burning our holiday lights bright until Daylight Saving Time begins!
Here’s to getting through the dark, cold days ahead with an abundance of love and light. May your holidays be merry and bright, may your gatherings be filled with comfort and joy, may your winter be filled with warmth and cozy vibes. ✨
