I recently took up meditation, which I wrote about in my previous A to Z Challenge Post: J is for Juggling thoughts and learning to stay in the moment. In addition to the meditation practice, there were mindfulness challenges each week.
For the first week, we worked on being more aware of habits by changing the chair we typically sit in each day. When I went into our weekly work meeting that Monday, I glanced around at the small oval table, where I typically sit facing the entrance door, and paused. I had arrived early, so my options were open. I mixed things up and grabbed a chair opposite where I usually sit, with my back to the door. My coworker noticed and even commented on the fact that I wasn’t in my usual spot. Habit busted.
That night with my husband traveling and girls away at school, I was alone for dinner. After I finished cooking, I started to head into the living room with my plate of food but stopped. Instead, I sat down on one of the bar stools that line our kitchen island. I slowly and deliberately ate my dinner there instead of in front of the television. Habit busted.
As I did my meditation practice that week, I methodically moved to different chairs throughout the house each time. While new to meditation, I had already established a meditation spot so it did make me more mindful being in a new location each time I meditated. Habit busted.
Everything went great with the mindfulness challenge for me that week. Almost everything. There was one chair that I was unwilling to give up.
Most nights when I’m done for the day, I sit in my swivel recliner, positioned between our propane fireplace and a small blue painted side table where I can put down my glass of wine or cup of green tea. There’s usually a stack of magazines or books piled to one side and, before sitting, I make sure that the remotes are there too. The chair has the perfect viewing angle to watch whatever is playing on our wall mounted TV, which is currently the TV show Outlander.
It’s my cozy spot. On winter nights I’ll turn on the fireplace, lay out my essential supplies, and lean back to lift up the foot rest of the recliner. I’ll cover my legs with my favorite over sized brown blanket, which is smooth on one side, slightly fuzzy on the other, and extremely warm.
As soon as the chair makes the familiar click when extending the foot rest, the cat jumps up and positions himself on my calves although after much effort I’ve gotten him to lay next to my legs instead of on top. The dog is less demanding of the chair but occasionally wants to join me on my lap. He’s welcome too.
The television has bookcases on either side, with a table underneath. On the table there is a small apple basket that holds our remotes, purchased during one of our anniversary trips, which holds our remotes; a DVD player with our Roku box stacked on top; and a grouping of candles. The candles and television add enough light to the room so that I can shut off or dim the rest of the lights, which I often do.
While I love this spot year round, the real coziness happens in the colder winter months. It’s one of the reasons I love winter. It gives you an excuse to slow down and hunker. I blogged about winter in my last A to Z Challenge. It’s a magical time of year here in Maine.
Why does this bring me bliss? It’s the place where I unwind and relax. It’s cozy and feels safe and familiar. It’s one of my happiest spots to spend time.
Do you have a favorite cozy place?
I’m participating in a Blogging A-Z Challenge for April 2020. I will be posting new content every day this month except most Sundays. Each post is associated with a letter of the alphabet, starting with A and ending with Z. My theme for the challenge is Bliss. To read more of my A to Z posts from this year, click HERE.
Weekends in Maine 
I wouldn’t give up that spot either.it sounds perfectly cosy. I love sitting by the fire too. It’s the best xxx
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It is so cozy!
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Hmmm, a cosy chair next to the stove, this is paradise! Plus the cat on the knees 😉
W is for Women
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It’s the cats favorite spot too.
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I can see why you wouldn’t want to give up that spot, but excellent idea for trying the other changes. Not having a fireplace is one of the things I’ve always missed in this house.
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We use to have a traditional fireplace that used wood but I’m now a convert to propane/gas. It’s so easy to turn on and off.
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I love your cozy happy place! It looks perfect ❤️
While hubby is extremely linear, following his habits to the dot, I like to disrupt my usual ways every once in a while: take an alternative route to go someplace. Shop at a different grocery store. Try a new dish. I like to get a fresh perspective on things.
At the office we all have our spots around the kitchen table. I recently surrendered “mine” (which is next to hubby’s – duh) to my son who joins us during lockdown.
My W is for Swiss Watches:
https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.com/2020/04/a-z-2020-switzerland-watches.html
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It really is good to mix things up. I’ll keep trying in the future other than my cozy chair of course.
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If a spot looks like that I’m definitely wouldn’t give it up!
W is for Weak
https://thedreamgirlwrites.wordpress.com/2020/04/27/weak-2/
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It really is the best spot. Although with summer coming, I do like being out on the deck too.
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That spot is golden in the way you described it. Now I want snow, that chair and all the trimmings.
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It’s one of the best things about winter – hunkering down and getting cozy.
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Sounds like you struck a balance between changing up the rest of the chairs but saving the sweet spot as-is.
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I think so. Balance is always a good thing.
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My recliner is the momma bear chair as the fam says. Got my yarn, quilt, or whatever I’m working on in my basket for easy access.
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Sounds like you have a good spot too!
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Just reading about your favourite spot has put me in a zen like mood–I can sense a nap coming on:)
Like Jade says in her comment, good to see you’re balancing it all out.
I have yet to bust my habit of munching while watching TV. I try but not very successfully. Outlander is just the show to watch before visiting Scotland:)
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We’re really enjoying Outlander. So many beautiful shots of Scotland.
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I have my fav chair and my side of the bed is my cozy place. i liked how you mindfully busted few habits. Thanks for the inspiration!
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It was a fun exercise and did really help with awareness.
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Love this post. My couch is my cozy spot — and I rewarded it this year with a new set of clear lucite legs to replace the brown ones it came with. Instant mid-century modern and raised to the correct height, it is even more comfy than before. Also, thanks for the mindfulness tips. Will be getting back to meditation after A to Z.
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What a simply, fun change to your couch, to give it a new look. I love mid-century modern. It’s one of my favorite styles.
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Your description was a delight (but not enough to entice me to Maine in the winter). We were there once for Thanksgiving and the snow was piled shoulder-deep in the parking lots.
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Winters in Maine is an acquired taste.
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That’s a good idea to switch up using different chairs or sitting in different areas, but you’re right… don’t give up the warmth of that chair! It looks ideal!
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You have to keep the cozy spot. That’s non-negotiable.
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