It’s getting to be that time of year where my internal… clock? for lack of a better word starts to tell me to slow down. Days are getting chillier, shorter, and darker, and I just feel the need to slow down and really lean into feeling cozy and a little bit calmer. I’ve been feeling that way this year more than ever, maybe because I was already feeling a little bit burnt out and run down beforehand! So I’ve been trying to just really embrace it instead of fighting it. Here are some of the things I’ve been doing lately to slow down and lean into the cozy.

Setting the Mood with Candles

I’ve always loved candles in theory, but it’s really only over the last few years that I’ve actually started using them regularly and actually lighting them almost daily. I don’t know, there’s just something about the smell (especially Hotel Lobby Candle’s New York scent) and the flickering flame that just really reads as coziness to me.

Reading in Bed Under a Blanket

There is nothing better and more relaxing to me than getting in bed early, getting all nice and warm and cozy under a blanket (in my case, under a ChappyWrap) and reading for a bit before bedtime. Bonus points for using this bluetooth page turner, so my arms can stay under the blanket, too. It’s just such a nice, slow way to calm down and slowly relax before bed.

EarlyBird Gummies at Night

After seeing multiple people post about EarlyBird Gummies, I decided to try them myself, and I’ve been enjoying them! They are definitely an acquired taste – they definitely have an aftertaste of dirt – but it’s definitely worth it, in my opinion. They’re like CBD gummies with a bit of a kick – enough to give you a tiny bit of a buzz, but nothing too much. They make me so relaxed and sleepy; it makes it so easy to fall asleep right away when I’m ready. I’ll share a full review after I’ve used them a bit more!

Weekend Movie Marathons

A movie marathon just feels so relaxing to me – queuing up a few in a row and really just knowing the only thing I need to worry about is what snack and drink I want while I watch! I’ve been making my way through some of my childhood favorites – Twilight, Hunger Games, Harry Potter – and it’s just really made me enjoy staying cozy inside.