by Amber Brandt
If the thought of sitting by a crackling fire with a mug of something warm turns your eyes into sparkly hearts, you already know the power of cozy. It’s all about comfort, slowing down, savoring, and giving into nostalgia. Cozy is why we love the Gilmore Girls’ Stars Hollow. It’s why we love sliding our feet into slippers, and why burrowing under the giant, patchwork quilt Grandma made still makes us smile. Cozy is old but new again. Special, but familiar.
I think cozy feels this way because it’s pointing us toward something deeper.
For many years I thought my irrational love of miniatures was silly. Whether it was a ceramic mushroom I found at an antique store, or a tiny, plastic hamburger my daughter unwrapped from Target, I would practically squeal with joy over the cuteness of it. My delight bordered on embarrassment, honestly. But hiding these tinies in my potted plants and windowsills became an act of frontloading whimsy, a promise I’d feel spontaneous future joy whenever I stumbled across them again. And somehow these little, unexpected moments pointed me toward something bigger…
They interrupted my ruminating.
They snapped life into perspective.
They made my house feel cozier.
Silly as they are, they helped make this place a home.
…And having a place where you belong matters. It’s central to being human.
Thankfully, the sense of being tucked in and sheltered is central to the heart of God. Psalm 91 reminds us God covers us with His wings.
In intimate proximity to God is where we belong—and that security helps us shape safe relationships with others too.
“We love because He first loved us…” as John said. As we find our belonging and security in Him, we’re able to become a soft place to land for someone else.
Over the years I’ve done a lot of work to identify my values—the core features that make me who I am—and in doing so, I’ve realized that creating hospitality is just one of them. I want my home to feel cozy and welcoming in a way that invites others to exhale and find rest. And in their own quirky and unexpected way, my miniatures and found treasures have helped me design the spaces where this important work happens. Just like they spark delight for me, they tell my guests, “You belong right here in this space, too. We made this space special for you before you ever showed up.” And that’s somehow sacred.
So now as our calendars turn to the coziest months of the year, I hope you’ll consider the values that define “cozy” to you. What turns your insides warm? What makes you feel seen? Lean into these “silly” little things that create belonging and welcome to you. I promise, the more you incorporate them into your home and life, the more you’ll sense the cozy blanket of the Spirit around you—and become a place where others bask in the warmth.
Amber is a StoryBrand certified copywriter and The Coziness Consultant. Amber is passionate about helping clients and families create spaces that not only reflect their values, but help them live smarter, cozier, and more intentional lives. She believes authenticity, connection, and true hospitality can change the world.
I love this! Hello Kitty is my cozy love. Thanks for the cozy validation this piece gave me.