Soft Rebel Rest Day: Permission to Slow Down (Especially Now That It’s Cold)

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The colder weather showed up like an uninvited meeting on your calendar. Sudden, disruptive, and demanding a response. And honestly, there’s no better response than leaning fully into your cozy era.
This is the season when soft pants become a personality, warm drinks count as self-care, and rest stops feeling optional. A Soft Rebel Rest Day isn’t about doing nothing; it’s about choosing comfort with intent. It’s your quiet protest against the pace of everything else.

So if the temperature dropped and your energy dropped with it, this is your sign to gather your essentials and build yourself a small sanctuary. Here’s what goes into a proper Soft Rebel Rest Day, simple and grounding things that make slowing down feel like a choice instead of a consequence.

Weighted or Heated Blanket
Start with the foundation: something that makes your body feel held. A weighted throw is the closest thing to getting a hug without needing another human involved. A heated blanket works too, especially when that cold snap hits and your bones suddenly feel older than they are. Both deliver instant grounding, which is exactly what a rest day is supposed to do.

I have this one on my chair in my office. For some reason, even when the temperature dips a big, I am cold when I am sitting at my desk (probably due to lack of movement). This is a great little blanket and it heats up really well: https://amzn.to/3KlhvLD

I also really like this weighted blanket: https://amzn.to/3MzH1gF

Soft Cozy Socks
Comfort starts at the feet. Thick, breathable socks level up the cozy energy instantly. Bonus points if they’re mismatched, which feels like such a small and satisfying act of soft rebellion. You’re not here to impress anyone. You’re here to feel warm.

These are not cotton or bamboo - but have great reviews and I love the feeling on my feet: https://amzn.to/4pxN44a

Oversized Hoodie or Crewneck or Sets!!
There is no rest day without a ridiculously oversized sweatshirt. Neutral tones, soft fleece lining, sleeves you can hide inside. It creates its own atmosphere. The world gets loud; this piece gets softer. That’s the deal. I also really love sets - so you can feel like you have it together, when lounging.

This one is great as you can wear it at home, but you can also wear it on a plane for travel: https://amzn.to/4a4BRmB

I also have some fun sweatshirts available at my Etsy store and with the cozy season, I’ve been wearing this one often: socially hibernating sweatshirt

Ceramic Mug and Tea or Cocoa Mix
A cozy beverage is the anchor of the whole operation. Tea, cocoa, a nostalgic latte, whatever you reach for first. What matters is the mug you wrap your hands around. A good mug is a ritual object that slows you down without asking.

There are some great ones that will keep your coffee warm: https://amzn.to/4goPPAZ or https://amzn.to/47KxZpS

I have some clever ceramic mugs in my Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SoftEditCollective

Aromatherapy Candle or Essential Oil Diffuser
Scents do the heavy lifting when your brain is tired. Cedarwood to ground you. Bergamot to soften the day. Vanilla when you want your space to feel like a warm bakery. Lighting a candle becomes a micro-ritual that signals your nervous system to drop its shoulders.

I have been using this candle warmer so that I don’t burn the candle but can warm it up. This is nice as when the smell fades, you can use your own essential oils and add it to the candle wax. Plus, this is pretty to look at! Beware, you cannot use a tall candle: https://amzn.to/3XL2vtp

Slippers or House Slides
Soft soles are the hallmark of a proper stay-home day. You’re not committing to real shoes. You’re not pretending you’ll go outside. You’re keeping it cushioned and quiet and low stakes. Every step is a reminder that today is for you. There is nothing like having cozy feet.

I don’t know about you, but I always have something on my feet at my house. In the summer it is indoor flip flops and winter are these slippers: https://amzn.to/4prcEHK if the Uggs are too pricey, then give these a try: https://amzn.to/4iIODcV

Eye Mask or Gel Patches
This is where you embrace the full shutdown. Eye mask for a nap. Cooling gel patches for the “I’m resting but also accidentally doing skincare” vibe. Both send the same message: please do not disturb, I’m resetting my entire existence. I always carry eye masks, it comes in handy for travel where I get the hydrating ones and also ones that help to depuff.

These are the ones that I have been using lately: https://amzn.to/3XECmMS

Notebook or Guided Journal
Optional, but helpful. Some rest days bring up thoughts you’ve been too busy to notice. A guided journal or simple notebook helps you catch them without turning it into a to-do list. You probably have a bunch of different ones around your house. I love a cute journal, and I have several available at my Etsy store:

If you have many different tabs going on, this workbook might also help: https://amzn.to/48IHxQQ

The best change is Screen-Free Distraction
Every Soft Rebel Rest Day deserves something that isn’t a scroll trap. A puzzle book, a cozy novel, a playlist that doesn’t yank your mood around. Something that slows your brain instead of winding it tighter.

Cold weather is the perfect permission slip to slow down, but honestly, you don’t need permission. Build the sanctuary. Make the ritual. Claim your Soft Rebel Rest Day and let everything else wait for once.