How to Make Everyday Life Feel Like a Cozy Weekend

It would often happen in one of two ways, when I was growing up.

I'd wake up and smell bacon already cooking. Or, I'd wake up and know because of the time that my parents were trying to decide whether or not to go to church that morning and once they decided to stay home, I'd talk them into both bacon and the Sunday morning movie.

Those were days that I didn't have to get out of my pajamas until after breakfast. In fact, I hardly moved from the chair opposite the TV, except to eat, until after the movie was over. The bacon would often come with a side of pancakes, by the way.

Those were really happy memories. No place to be, a movie to watch, comfy loungewear for a good part of the day, and comfort food. What could be better?

What are Your Cozy
Childhood Memories?

Maybe it was those cozy mornings that ultimately inspired my current love of the cozy, slow lifestyle. After all, I wanted life to be like that all the time.

​And all these years later, I'm wondering...

What was it about those moments that made them feel so good?

Was it having nowhere to go?
Being taken care of?
Everybody being home?
Not having to get dressed?
Feeling connected?
Having hours stretching ahead of you with nothing required?

Let's bring all of that back!

Quiet and warm, cozy moments like that give us somewhere soft to land.

And I've since realized that it was me who added some of that warmth, and I'm with me wherever I go. Some of what I need from cozy moments is more of my own warmth.

​So when you think about your own cozy childhood memories, don't just think about what happened.

What was it about those moments that made them feel so good?

​Because once you know what you were really responding to, you can begin creating more of that now.

And I've come to believe we don't have to save any of those feelings or experiences for weekends.

Not that we can't have our cozy weekends, too. Here's how to create your own...

5 Ways to Create a Cozy Weekend

(1) Lose yourself in a really good book. Not a book you think you should read someday but one you already know you’ll enjoy. Or grab a stack of books, or fill your Kindle so you can have a teapot and book marathon.

(2) Have a movie marathon or watch all your favorites back to back. Stay comfy in your pjs and order pizza so you don’t have to pause for grocery shopping.

If you’re planning this weekend in advance, though, make a list of everything you’ll need and get it on Thursday or Friday so it’s already there.

(3) Invite someone you genuinely enjoy spending time with for tea, movies, games, dinner, whatever. And if you've had quite enough humanity for one week, 😂 have your cozy weekend alone.

(4) Grab your journal and a cup of tea and dream about the week ahead. What would make it truly special?

After you have imagined the entire week, go through what you’ve written a pick a few ways to get as close to the ideal as possible. One each day if you can. Extra points if you do this exercise with others.

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​(5) Treat yourself to a catch-up video call or long phone call with a long-distance best friend.

Make a pot of tea and give yourselves all the time in the world to catch up on each other’s lives. And for me, I'd add - talk over everything you've been wondering about spiritually (my best friend is so good for that)
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Don't Wait for the Weekend:
The Everyday Coziness Lifestyle

To create a cozy weekend lifestyle, bring as many of the elements of what you love about cozy weekends into your weekdays. But don't feel pressured to make every day feel like the weekend.

Maybe just notice what weekends, or those wonderful childhood mornings, would represent in your current life, and stop making yourself wait to experience it. What do you wish there were more of in your everyday life?

Rest? Comfort? Play? Stillness? Connection? Time alone? Something to look forward to?

Pick one. Then find a place for it this week.

Because the life you want isn't only made of the big things you hope will happen someday. It's also made of Tuesday night and Thursday morning.
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Wishing you more cozy moments!

Love, Jeanine
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