Autumn has arrived!  With that first dip into cooler temps, I went searching for my favorite sweater.  it really wasn’t cold enough to warrant it, but I just needed the familiar comfort of a soft wrap.  It seems that change (seasonal or otherwise) compels us to reach for something soothing, something to help ease the transition.  Or maybe it’s just a habit of nostalgia that causes us to seek the familiarity of our personal creature comforts. Perhaps we innately know that we need to reconnect with feeling good. I think we are designed that way.  Whatever the reason, I think it’s a good thing… finding comfort.

Pulling on that sweater (and the socks my feet haven’t seen since April!) I began to wonder about the deeper meaning of comfort in our lives.  Seeking comfort is natural. Our brains and our bodies are masterful at letting us know when we need food, water or rest, but comfort is much more than meeting basic needs.  Comfort is tending to our souls. I believe it is essential to our wellbeing.

Seeking and finding comfort means we have paused for a moment.  We have interrupted the never-ending stream of mind chatter, to-do lists, and autopilot mentality.  The moment we pause to seek comfort, no matter how small, we honor ourselves. We acknowledge that we are worthy of being comforted, that we are worthy of our own attention and self-care.   No matter what we are busy doing, a mindful pause to SAVOR comfort of any kind is a positive step. One that we need to cultivate in order to thrive.

Comfort is essential, not an extravagance. We live in a world where we often believe we must work first and play later.  That seems entirely backwards to me! If we begin from a place of comfort, of contentment, of feeling cared for, our efforts toward any form of “work” will flow with much greater ease.  I offer you an invitation to turn the tables on your own routine. Try seeking comfort first and let the work follow from there.

What if we didn’t wait for distress signals to seek out comfort? What if we made moments of comfort a priority in our days?  I’m talking about the simple, close-at-hand kind of comforts. As I write this I see a wealth of options right in front of me:  a cup of tea, playing with my art supplies even for a few minutes, turning on my favorite music, calling a friend and finding she has time for a chat right now, and certainly that favorite sweater!  It doesn’t take much to bring about a sense of relief and relaxation.

I’m wondering… is it possible to revive the art of simple comforts with a daily practice?  Why not give it a try? What brings you comfort? What have you already done today to pamper yourself, even a little?  If you’re coming up short in answering that question, I urge you… no implore you… to pause just now and exploit every little comfort you can find in the next few moments.  Cup of tea / glass of wine? Enjoy the view? Kick off your shoes? Pet your cat? Good! Now you’ve got the idea.  It may be necessary to do a little sleuthing to ferret out just exactly what brings you comfort. Consider all five senses: touch, taste, sight, smell, sound – comfort comes in many forms!

Start noticing what feels good, what brings an audible sigh, and what makes you feel cared for on a soul level. Be delighted by what you discover!  Make lists or jot down reminders if you need them. The most important thing is an intention to indulge as often as you can. Adopt an attitude that it’s good to feel good!

Life was meant to be enjoyed!  What are you waiting for? The ride is much better with a soft sweater/blanket/socks/ and a warm cup of tea or… fill in the blank with your own preferences…  and the time to enjoy them is now! What brings you comfort? Share your go-to’s in the comments below and tell us your plans to enjoy more of them in the days ahead.  We love hearing and learning from you!

With wonder and possibility (and a fresh cup of tea),

Mary