Editor’s Note: Cozy Fall Vibes

Is cozy a state of mind? To me, it’s the ultimate one. Being cozy in this life is the end all, be all. Whatever you have to do to feel peaceful, comfortable, safe and happy — to make your life cozy — is so important because everything else stems from that.

It can mean curling up with a blanket, cup of tea and a book. Or walking through the woods on a perfect morning, birdsong all around and leaves crunching underfoot. Fall is the perfect time to get cozy. Though Louisiana is not typically associated with the fall trappings of other states, still, there is a lessening of the heat, the drop in humidity and the faint change of leaf color is enogh for us to celebrate the season.

In this issue,  Melanie Warner Spencer explores some places to go in September and October. Spencer highlights Breaux Bridge, Natchitoches, Covington and Monroe, and she includes things to do to really lean into the season. If you live near one of these places, it’s an easy outing, but if not, a road trip is definitely in order. It seems like fall is the time when we are finally energized to leave the comfort of our air-conditioning to venture out into the world for more than the necessary — work and groceries and gas.

Sometimes a weekend getaway is the perfect way to recalibrate or find that peaceful state of mind. Growing up, we’d go to our cousin’s camp in Breaux Bridge and that was the ultimate cozy time. It was an old A-frame camp with ‘70s wood paneled walls, old camp furniture and not a lot of room for all of us. But we loved being there and fishing, playing cards and cooking outside. We were lucky to have that little place to escape to and were always lighter and happier on the way home.

Some might call it self-care or others say hygge, but whatever cozy means to you, I hope you find it this season.