Colsie · Travel · Nov 13, 2019

A Guide to Koselig: Norway's Colsie

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GIVEAWAY!

We’ve teamed up with our friends Antler, and are offering a cashmere knee blanket + clifton cabin case + 6 packing cubes. Yep, that's over £400 in top quality travel kit. Where will you take it? Enter on instagram!

**colsie (kol-zee) / origin: Old Scots for ‘cosy’**

1. The habit of embracing winter darkness and finding comfort and warmth in life’s simple pleasures. 2. The feeling that comes with being present, inviting closeness, and appreciating the things that last. 3. The act of slow living and making time for the people and things that soothe our souls.

Our TBCo. Travels series came from the many times we’ve opened our suitcases and high-fived our past selves for remembering to bring some wool. On this occasion, we packed up our favourite Recycled Wool Blanket in Light Grey Stripe and headed to Norway!

What do Scotland and Norway have in common?

Long, dark winters.

Although that may sound less than inviting, it’s from this environment that the arguably best facets of the two countries have been cultivated. We love seeing how different cultures rise to the challenge of embracing winter darkness and cultivating a cosy sense of warmth.

Where Denmark has hygge, Scotland has colsie and Norway has koselig (pronounced coose-ley), and it’s generally agreed that the feeling of koselig can’t be exactly translated into English. While the direct translation is “cosy”, it’s undergirded with an inner glow of conviviality. The joy and warmth of being together.

Like colsie, koselig has much to do with creating a cosy environment, but don’t miss the forest for the trees and get too focussed on which candle sticks you use. The environment serves the purpose of facilitating a feeling, and that can often be done with things you already own! We’ve outlined some tips for finding your inner koselig below!

Be together. Quality time spent with the ones you love is the surest way to achieve koselig. Phones aren’t invited.
Light candles and use lamps instead of overhead lighting
Build a fire and appreciate the scent and the warmth.
Be conscious of sound- a winter playlist or crackling fire should do the trick.
Wear cosy slippers or wool socks, bonus points if they’re hand knitted.
Drink something warm. Whether it’s gløgg (mulled wine), tea or coffee, it’s nice to be warm on the inside.
Play outside! Even if it’s snowing, winter sports are peaceful way to wear yourself out, making your evening curled up by the fire even more deserved.
Cook together! Waffles are highly recommended.
Get snuggly under a recycled wool blanket, duh!