November is such a beautiful and exciting entryway into cozy season. With delicious feasts, twinkle lights, warm fires, sledding and gift giving on the horizon, there’s so much to look forward to! But November can also become overwhelming, fast.
I know many people, myself included, find themselves spiraling at the thought of how much gets packed into just a few short months!
Here are 9 ideas to help you get through November (and the holidays) with more peace, less stress, and much more hygge.
- Write down 1-2 things you’re grateful for every day
Do this every single day for the entire month of November and watch how full your heart becomes. If you’re approaching life with a grateful heart, you’ll find that everything becomes more calm and joyful. I’ll be doing it over on my Instagram as an updated version of my past November Gratitude Challenge, if you’d like to follow along! - Let go of the need to buy things simply because they’re on sale
Most companies raise their prices just before black Friday so they can slash them and make it look like big savings. Ask yourself if you truly need the item? Does your old one work just fine? Do you already have it in another color? Are you trying to fill a void? Don’t fall victim to the trap that social media influencers set, it’s their job to make you want new things! - Brain dump your holiday stresses
Do this early and thoughtfully. Create to-do lists, shopping lists, budgets, and plans so that everything you need to get done seems more manageable. Have conversations with your friends and family about what you want your holidays to look like, and don’t budge on those plans. Protect your peace. - Pick one evening activity per week to do instead of watching TV or scrolling
Puzzles? Board games? Coloring? Drawing? Walking? Crafts? Video game? Writing? Reading? Look I get it, TV/Phones are easy. But there are so many options to choose instead of scrolling aimlessly or watching a show. Your nervous system will thank you! - Do at least ONE thing simply for the sake of being cozy
I know many people don’t really pay attention to whether or not an activity is or isn’t cozy, but I want you to seek one out. Whatever that looks like for you – it could be a bath, snuggling up with your kids and watching a Disney movie, a family game night, or a morning at the coffee shop by yourself. Whatever it is that when you do it, you think to yourself “Wow, I’m so cozy right now” – make time to do that! - Perform a random act of kindness
I feels really good to give. Bring your aunt some flowers, send mom a bag of your favorite coffee, buy a stranger’s meal, send a thank you card to a friend, help an elderly neighbor with a task. Do one thing that will bring joy to someone else! - Take extra care of your body and skin
We’re entering a cold, dry, indoor-centered time of year. No one feels their best if they’re itchy and uncomfortable in their skin. Exfoliate your whole body a few times a week, then lather up with soothing body oil or lotion. Add an extra moisturizer to your face in the evenings. Use a deep conditioner or hair oil to prevent static. And drink extra EXTRA water! - Nourish yourself and your family with hearty, nutrient-dense comfort food
Who says comfort food has to be “bad for you”? Soups with leafy greens and root vegetables. Roasted butternut squash, mashed sweet potatoes, pumpkins, beans, carrots, kale, whole grains, herbs and spices… all cozy, all very hearty and delicious. Nutrient dense food helps keep your family healthy, because being sick is stressful! - Set your boundaries, and say no to things that don’t serve you and your family
Have a young baby you’re worried will get sick at the family Thanksgiving? Say no thank you, not this year! Being asked to participate in a gift sharing event or fundraiser that you can’t really afford? Say no thank you, not this year! Set your boundaries, decide what you have time, money, and energy for, then say a respectful no to the rest.
It’s important to take a little bit of time now to set the tone for the next few months. If you prepare now, and make intentional plans and decisions in advance, you can have a peaceful and stress free holiday season.
Let me know in the comments if if you’ll be implementing any of these ideas! I hope you have the calmest cozy season ever!
a cup of lo 