Comfort is What We Crave

 

Hands holding coffee mug and coffee table covered with candles, knitting needles, yarn, and white watch

It’s a Saturday evening, and you’re curled up on the couch with a soft throw blanket draped across your lap. The rain gently taps against the windows as you sip your warm cup of tea, the spices and honey mixing to envelop your senses. The gentle lo-fi playlist hums as you reach for your crochet hooks, yarn loosely dangling by your feet. It’s a Saturday night, and you’re in the comfort of your own home, elated by the prospect of a night in. 

    If what you just read sounded like pure bliss, then I am here to tell you that you are not alone. In a world that often feels overwhelming, fast-paced, unpredictable (and, let’s be honest…infuriating at times), many of us are seeking refuge in all things cozy. 

    The era of cozy is upon us as people embrace slow-living hobbies such as knitting, puzzle-making, and low-stress comfort gaming to unwind when the world feels like a chaotic vortex of demands and unbearable stresses. People are beginning to seek the simple pleasures, finding peace in the uncomplicated. We are finally taking the opportunity to slow down and seek out moments of mindfulness and breaks from doom-scrolling and the anxiety-inducing responsibilities of our daily lives. 

    For many, this is about coping with uncertain times. The world is, let's be honest, scaring the hell out of most, and it can be challenging to deal with. Simply opening social media apps is enough to send folks spiraling with how many posts are flooding the platforms, posts that are often more negative than positive. In these moments, many choose to step away from the horrors and instead focus on comfort and the hobbies that will relieve those stresses. With activities like knitting or crocheting, we can create comfort items and lose ourselves in the predictable movements of the hooks and needles between our fingers. (Not to mention how awesome the feeling of accomplishment that comes from completing a crochet/knitting project is). Another option is coloring, with adult coloring books gaining popularity and coloring groups popping up throughout cities and digital spaces. Take a second to look up "Hygge" (Danish coziness) coloring books and groups; you won't be disappointed. Along with these activities are things like puzzles, journaling, baking, gardening, and the "cottagecore" aesthetic, which celebrates simple living (specifically with a countryside vibe/motif). 

    With the surge of crafting, I should also mention a rise in comfort video games. With titles such as "Animal Crossing" and "Stardew Valley," folks who perhaps prefer the digital sphere can dive into the simple joys and comforts of maintaining a cottage, fishing on islands, and tending to bug catching and farming. These games provide a low-stress environment (unlike more involved titles such as "Call of Duty" or "Overwatch") where folks can achieve gentle goals and engage in peaceful activities.

    For others, rather than for coping…this cozy shift is simply about embracing slow living, intentionally setting time away from the grind to just exist and reconnect with the self and what fulfills you. For me personally, I have fully jumped into my "señora era." Please don't invite me out because I will choose my cup of coffee and concha on the couch with my latest read over basically anything else.  

    At a time when the world seems to be flipping over itself, and people acknowledge that self-care and mental health breaks are now, more than ever, a necessity (they always were)...it’s nice to unwind and let the brain and body chill. Whether it’s a slow start with a cup of coffee, a cozy gaming session with your “island friends,” or the joy of crafting something by hand, these small pleasures remind us that comfort is a needed break from the chaos of daily life. So, by all means, lean into the cozy. The world can wait.