“Toss pillows and throws are the adult equivalent of stuffed animals and security blankets.” CJ Hanlon

(546 words, 2-minute read)

Let’s face it, when we were little, nothing made us feel safer than to curl up with a loved one, a favorite toy, a blanket, and a book. It was the ultimate state of comfort and coziness. The feeling isn’t just reserved for little kids; our pup understands it, too. We have an ongoing saying in our house, “Kie is pro-pillow, pro-blankets.” He not only understands but also embraces the concept of nesting.

Kie is taking advantage of the pillows and blankets.

But soft surfaces aren’t just for the young; they serve a real purpose. They absorb sound.

Have you ever been in a public space that was obnoxiously loud? Of course you have. Nowadays, they include restaurants, workplaces, doctors’ offices, and even libraries. It seems like we can’t get away from noise.

Restaurants tend to be the worst offenders. The trend is to create a buzz about the place, or should I say, buzz IN the place. Hard surfaces, high ceilings, and open layouts set the stage for the ricocheting sound of blaring music and loud talkers.

In today’s world, few public spaces are comfortable, cozy, and welcoming to people who want to hang out. Companies don’t want customers to linger because they have been reduced to transactional factories, like McDonald’s. Time is money, their money. With small profit margins, they need to ensure that as many people as possible run through their businesses. Heck, fast food places have cornered the market on not even having the customer step inside their structures. They are notorious for having more people waiting in line at the drive-thru than in the building. I’m looking at you, Chick-fil-A.

The only way you can stop the hardline madness of the outside world is at home. Don’t make your living space feel like work. Find a place to take a break, curl up, and stay awhile. It is important to have your home, or at least a designated area, be as quiet and comfortable as possible. To nest is to create a nurturing, warm, and peaceful haven for yourself. Why not create a nook that evokes the same feeling we had as children?

The Fall season is a great time to start.

The easiest way to begin is to ask, Do you feel at home in your own place? If you are uncomfortable, notice if the space has enough soft surfaces, such as pillows, blankets, and curtains, to provide a more welcoming environment. Does your furniture have enough fabric? Is your floor covered with a rug? If the answer is no or maybe, take a look around your belongings and see if you can rearrange them to bring more warmth into your room. Then sit down and take the space for a test drive. Does your space satisfy all your senses, touch, sight, hearing, and yes, even taste and smell? If not, what is missing, and do you have something that can work on hand before going out and buying it?

I can’t stress how vital soft, comfortable, and quiet places are for our well-being. Now more than ever, we need a space to rest and regroup, if nothing else, so that we can feel like little kids again, even for a short time.

Let’s Bring Cozy Nesting Back

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