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I’ve never been one for rigid design rules. My favorite homes—the ones I remember long after I’ve left—are never showroom perfect. They’re layered. A little sun-worn. Maybe a touch asymmetrical. But always full of heart.
To me, having a cozy home isn’t about matching textiles or following some boho aesthetic checklist—it’s about creating rituals, little sacred pauses that root us into the present. It’s about how we treat our space, not just how we decorate it.
And yes, I’ve come to accept it: I’m a hippie by heart.
Not the all-out fringe and festival kind (though I’ll never say no to a flowy skirt or a funky throw pillow). My version is softer. Earthier. A little eclectic, a little classic—with plenty of plants and stories woven in. It’s less about style, more about soul.
So today I want to share a few gentle rituals that have shaped my home—not necessarily visually, but energetically. If you’ve ever felt like your home could hold more peace, more purpose, or more personality, these might speak to you, too.
🕯️ Lighting a Candle with Purpose
We light candles all the time—sometimes just out of habit or to make a room smell good. But when was the last time you lit one with intention?
I’ve started treating this moment like a sacred little ceremony. In the morning, I’ll light one in the kitchen while coffee brews—something citrusy or grounding. At night, maybe lavender or sandalwood. But before I strike the match, I take a breath. A quiet second to say, “Let this light bring peace today.”
Simple, right? But everything shifts when we slow down.
Candles represent more than scent. They’re warmth. Glow. Centering energy. Whether you choose to light yours for prayer, meditation, or just a pause, that tiny flicker holds a kind of magic.
And if you’re like me—always dreaming up handmade products for others—creating your own candle line becomes even more meaningful when you attach ritual to it. You’re not just selling decor. You’re selling serenity.
🍵 Brewing Tea with Intention
No offense to coffee (we’re still friends), but tea changed how I see mornings. And afternoons. And honestly, life.
There’s something wildly grounding about the ritual of choosing a blend, boiling water, letting it steep. Whether it’s peppermint to clear the mind or chamomile to quiet the heart, tea slows us down. It says: sit, be here, listen.
I keep my favorite loose-leaf blends in mismatched vintage jars with handwritten labels. Some were gifts. Some picked up from local shops. Some I blended myself after a walk through the herb garden. Every jar tells a story.
Even the way I hold the mug feels different now. It’s not just about the liquid—it’s about what it represents. Care. Pause. Reconnection.
If you ever find yourself rushing through your day, let tea be the stop sign. Let it be the moment you catch your breath, ground yourself again, and re-enter your space with softness.
🪴 Curating Objects with Memory
My home is full of things. Not clutter—but curated memory.
There’s a woven blanket my aunt gave me the year I started painting again. A framed photo of the ocean from the day I first said “yes” to living intentionally. Little driftwood pieces, handmade pottery, thrifted planters.
None of it’s expensive. None of it’s perfectly coordinated. But every piece matters.
I believe our homes should reflect our stories—not just trends. So when I decorate, I ask myself: “Does this item remind me of something true?”
Sometimes we forget how powerful visual memory is. Seeing an old book spine you loved as a child. Smelling a hint of sage from a dish your grandmother used. Displaying the kind of eclectic art that once made you feel brave.
When we begin to fill our spaces with objects that resonate—not just look good—we build homes that heal.
🌙 The Non-Aesthetic Side of Coziness
A cozy home isn’t just warm lighting and boho throws.
It’s permission.
Permission to leave your books half-read on the couch. Permission to dance barefoot in the kitchen. Permission to cry with your plants, laugh with your pillows, and pray in pajamas.
Coziness is not performance. It’s comfort. It’s a relationship with your space that says: “You can exhale here.”
So if you ever feel like your space needs more heart—not more stuff—start with ritual. Light a candle. Brew the tea. Curate what already holds meaning. Cozy follows intention.
☀️ Final Thoughts
Being “hippie by heart” isn’t about crystals or incense or patchwork rugs. It’s about being present. Being loving. Being aware of how our space shapes us—and choosing to fill it with grace.
Let your rituals be simple. Let them be yours. Let your home hold not just style, but soul.
Because in the end, the most beautiful homes aren’t built—they’re lived in with intention.
And if that’s the kind of cozy you’re creating, you’re already doing it beautifully.
