1 Argument for: Go Small and Stay Cozy
Cozy was not in my vocabulary during a certain phase in my life. I used to chase the big stuff. Everything was big: plans, adventures and stories. My motto could’ve been “go big or go home”—and I never aimed for home. But these days, I’ve grown fond of a slower rhythm. One that leaves room for porch sittin’, quiet thoughts, and a second cup of coffee.
Back in my twenties, I packed a bag, climbed into my Bronco, and set off with nothing more than a dog-eared travel guide and a toolbox. Cozy was nowhere in the picture. I stayed in places that barely qualified as motels and ate whatever came with the fewest questions. I once entered a frog-jumping contest as a joke and won. Turns out, the other frogs were just painted rocks. Long story.
Point is, I had myself a time. I don’t regret it. Not one bit. Those stories still bubble up now and then—especially when Shelly’s around, pokin’ and proddin’ for tales I haven’t yet told. But somewhere between that summer of endless road and the moment I found myself patching a radiator with chewing gum on the side of a mountain, I started thinking… maybe I’d had enough near misses.
There was one trip in particular—Arizona, late July. I was off trail in the desert, chasin’ a rumor about a ghost light. My water ran low, and the Bronco’s engine overheated. I didn’t panic, but I wasn’t far from it. A couple of hours under that sun and I’d have been toast with no butter. Good thing some folks happened along and helped me out of that jam. Its just one of several, "why am I here and how do I get out of this" moments that lead to me adopting a new mantra.
These days, I live by a different phrase: “go small and stay cozy.”
It doesn’t mean I’ve lost my appetite for wonder. It just means I keep my feet under me when I go lookin’. I still take little drives, still listen for odd sounds in the woods, still swap tales with whoever’s near. But I don’t need to hang off a cliff or outrun a dust storm to feel alive. A properly brewed cup of tea and the right breeze will do it.
Folks don’t always understand when you downshift your life. They think something must’ve gone wrong. But what if it went right? What if the best thing I ever did was decide that enough is enough?
“Cozy” ain’t code for boring. It’s knowing how to settle in without giving up. It’s the sweet spot between comfort and curiosity. You can still explore. You just do it with a blanket on your lap and a flashlight within reach.
There’s research to supports this shift in perspective. Take for example this article on Psychology Today, embracing small, everyday moments can bring immense joy and meaning to life. Now, I’m not saying go bury your head in the sand. I’m saying take stock. Figure out what makes you feel safe, whole, steady. Then go after that, even if it means saying no to the shiny stuff.
So here I am, on my porch, watching the light shift through the trees. I’ve got a mug of something warm, a breeze to keep the bugs moving, and time enough to enjoy it. Sounds cozy, right?
The world’s plenty big. I just don’t need to chase all of it anymore.
--Archie (Chief Philosopher)
P.S. We don't carry "Go Small and Stay Cozy" merch yet. So instead, consider the "Even Turtles Get There" as an alternative. This is the sticker, but it comes in t-shirt as well.
https://notquiterightgoods.com
