I woke up the other day while the whole outside was drowning itself in a winter wonderland. It was so beautiful, and the whole house was silent so I made myself a cup of cocoa and had a mini photoshoot with Ravenquill Press's book club pick. Doesn't my hot chocolate look so yummy? And I didn't burn my tongue on it this time! Yay, me!

I wouldn't necessarily say that I had woken up early, but I will say that getting up before everyone else is such a good feeling. You get to have some time to yourself and you can spend it any way you want. I feel as though this really helps get you prepped for the rest of the day. Plus, if you treat yourself to some coffee or cocoa or tea right when you wake up, and have some quality fun time with yourself, you'll start feeling a little more eager to wake up in the morning. 

Well, I'm fairly sure this is a given... But reading is the #1 key to getting cozy. Set aside at least one hour of your day to grab your current read and dive into it. I've found that I am a lot calmer and more relaxed after I have had a good reading session. It kind of helps prepare you for whatever else your day has to bring. Plus, reading it next to the tree with its twinkly lights makes me want to cry tears of joy (I can be a bit dramatic, okay?).

ORRRR... Make sure that you read right before bed. Set everything aside (i.e. to-do lists, electronics, worries, etc.) and climb under the warm covers with a good ol' book. Sometimes it's nice to turn down the heat a bit and get yourself warm by swaddling up in a fluffy blanket. Wow, I think I'm putting myself to sleep while writing this. IT JUST SOUNDS SO NICE AND COZY, AM I RIGHT??

Nothing makes you appreciate the warmth like enduring some cold. So, get outside. Play in the snow (if you have any). Go for a long walk until your cheeks are pink and you can't feel your fingers. Then get back inside and get warmed up. Grab a blanket or take a hot shower. You'll feel 100000000000% more amazing.

Challenge: Every winter I make sure to go outside at least once after midnight. If you live in a snowy climate it's best to do this while it's snowing or right after it has snowed because, let me tell you, it is one of the best feelings in the world. You step outside and the cold stings your skin but it feels amazing, and the whole world is extra bright because the moon's light is reflecting against the snow. You look up at the sky and you get one of those excited feelings like this is it. Tomorrow, everything changes and you are a whole new person, and you've just discovered who you really are. Things just got deep in here, my dude.

Your pet loves you. You love them. NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO SNUGGLE WITH YOUR FURY FRIEND. (Rhyming was not intended. I'm just that awesome.)

And if you don't have a pet, go grab that teddy bear. Don't have a teddy bear? I'll lend you my stuffed monkey. Just snuggle for pete's sake!

v. a few more suggestions...

- watch a movie with the fam
- listen to instrumental christmas music (this is the best)
- journal next to the tree
- wear fuzzy socks
- make snowflakes
- count your blessings
- read the fam a bedtime story
- do all of the above preferably next to the tree because christmas trees automatically make everything 1000x cozier

Ahh, don't you feel so much more cozy now? Yes? No? Maybe? Let me know.

xx Kenzie

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