Bringing ‘Gezellig’ into Your December: Finding Warmth in the Chaos (Yes I was inspired by Ted Lasso)
With winter coming friends, and the dark nights drawing in it can be easy to feel yourself wanting to hide away and hibernate, but a beautiful - it’s time to get ‘gezellig’!
As December unfolds in London, this beautiful city transforms into a whirlwind of festive markets, office parties, and seemingly endless to-do lists. While the season offers so much joy, it’s also very easy to feel overwhelmed and stretched thin (or, if you hate christmas like my own bestie does, it can feel like a long season of misery!) Enter: embracing the concept of gezellig - taking inspiration from notoriously happy Dutch culture.
So, what is gezellig? It’s one of those words which does not have a direct translation, however the closest translation from Dutch is “feeling cozy, usually with friends or loved ones” - and yes I need to admit that I stumbled over this word by chance in a particularly excellent episode of Ted Lasso where the Greyhounds are in Amsterdam! (There’s inspiration everywhere friends, I’m telling you!) Ella Frances Sanders beautifully describes it as "a positive warm emotion or feeling rather than just something physical." It’s that sense of comfort and connection you feel when you’re in a cozy space with loved ones or simply enjoying the moment with presence and gratitude.
‘I see no lies from Ted’
(Not from the episode of inspiration but for the love of all the goldfish in the world, please watch it if you haven’t before!)
As an experienced yoga teacher, I see gezellig as a state of intentional being – one we can consciously cultivate, even in our busy lives. When I experience gezellig moments myself, they give me a warm sort of happy shudder (listening to heavy rain when I’m tucked up warm in bed or inside, is my ultimate coziness feeling). The reason I love it so much as a concept is because it is the perfect antidote to the bleak UK winters, which can feel so cold, grey, and unending that sometimes it can feel hard to remind yourself what’s good about the winter.
So here are a few tips to bring that warm, loving, cosy energy into your December:
1. Create Rituals That Feel Good
Your day might be full, but carving out even 10 minutes for a mindful ritual can shift your energy. You could intentionally light a nice smelly candle, make a cup of herbal tea or decadent hot chocolate (if you’re stuck for where to get good stuff, try Bird & Blend!) and take slow, intentional breaths whilst doing so, and enjoying that cuppa. Or it might be running a nice bath, or setting a timer for 15mins of uninterrupted book reading time. These small moments of self-care, when done with intention, can help you feel more rooted and present.
Ems’ top tip
Go search out the incredible Mexican hot chocolate on Colombia Road Flower Market on a Sunday. It’s thick, authentic, made with choice of oat or dairy, and with or without chilli and salt. Find them tucked in one of the back mews.
2. Host Your Own Cozy Gatherings
Rather than braving the weather and bustling pubs or restaurants, invite a few close friends over for a relaxed evening. Think soft lighting, warm blankets, hot water bottles, and heartfelt conversations. It’s less about planning anything spectacular or impressive, and more about fostering genuine connection. (If you need help finding ways of fostering genuine connection, check out the School of Life - they have amazing cards with questions to ask each other). In the Netherlands, "cozy places don't tend to be very big and splashy," Olga Mecking, a multilingual author who lives in the Netherlands says — but they do tend to be old, filled with plants and warmly lit.
3. Soothe Your Senses with a Sound Bath
Few things are more calming than letting the harmonious vibrations of a sound bath wash over you, and heal you from within. Think of it as the audio equivalent of sinking in to a hot bath at the end of a stressful day. This practice (as loved by people like Kendall Jenner, Kate Middleton, Robert Downey Jr and more!) can transport you to a deeply relaxed state, helping you let go of the tension December often brings, and make you more resilient to the demands of the month by letting the build up of emotional, physical and mental tension go. Why not join us for our special Yoga & Sound Bath evening on 8th December in London? It’s the perfect way to reset and reconnect. [Find out more and book your spot here]. Tickets are £17 for members of The Joyful Wild, and £27 for non-members. I’ll be leading the yoga, and the wonderfully talented Joseph of Urmi Sound (who I was lucky enough to catch one of his sessions at Soho House), will be leading the Sound Bath.
Very cutesy, very demure, very gezellig.
Our cosy studio location, Self-retreat studio in Camden for our Sunday Sanctuary, Yoga & Sound Bath event.
4. Slow Down with Gentle Yoga
If you’re reading this blog then the chances are you already know just how incredible restorative yoga sessions can be - they can work wonders for your body and mind. Rather than practicing high-energy styles like power, ashtanga, mandala or fast-flowing vinyasa, slow down and focus on postures (asana) that encourage grounding, like child’s pose or supported forward folds, and breathe deeply to invite calm and comfort. Styles I’d recommend would be slow flow vinyasa, hatha, yin, restorative, yoga nidra, or chair yoga. Check out The Joyful Wild library for short, delicious classes in all these styles to support you on this. Or check out one of my favourite classes direct, it’s called Let’s Start Yoga part 1, and it’s for total beginners to yoga movement (asanas). Or, one of our member’s favourites is Slow Flow: When Speed Gets Trapped in the body.
Check out our gentle beginner’s series.
Let’s Start Yoga. Suitable for total, true beginners, as well as anyone who wants a slow practice.
5. Embrace the Outdoors
Even in London’s winter chill, there’s something special about wrapping up warm and cosy and taking a stroll. A walk in a park or along the Thames can help you connect with nature and reset after a busy day. Be sure to layer up with scarves, hats, gloves and maybe a hot flask of something!
6. Discover London’s Hidden Cozy Spots
London has countless intimate spaces where you can escape the holiday chaos and embrace a gezellig vibe. Here are a few of my favorite ideas, along with ways to make the most of their charm:
St. Dunstan in the East Garden
Tucked away in the City, this garden feels like a secret sanctuary. Wrap up in your coziest scarf, grab a flask of hot chocolate, and invite a mate or date to join you. Sitting together in this small, enclosed space, surrounded by ivy-covered ruins and the soft hum of city life in the background, creates a magical and intimate atmosphere. Outside, but gezellig!Daunt Books (Marylebone)
There’s something deeply comforting about wandering through this historic bookshop with its warm wooden shelves and Edwardian charm. Pick up a book, find a quiet corner, and lose yourself in its pages. The hushed atmosphere and soft lighting make it the perfect spot for a solo moment of calm.St. Paul’s Cathedral (Whispering Gallery)
While grand in scale, St. Paul’s Cathedral offers gezellig moments in its quiet corners, especially the Whispering Gallery. Climb the steps, take in the magnificent architecture, and enjoy the stillness that contrasts with the city’s noise. The feeling of being cocooned within its domed structure creates a sense of intimacy, even in this iconic space. Take a journal or simply sit and reflect on the beauty around you.Wilton’s Music Hall
As one of the oldest surviving music halls, Wilton’s is steeped in history and charm. Its dim lighting, wooden interiors, and intimate size make every performance feel personal. Grab a seat for a small concert or theatre show and let the warm ambiance transport you.
Finding gezellig isn’t about grand gestures or extravagant plans – it’s about savoring small, intentional moments. Whether you’re curled up with a book, marveling at ancient architecture, or bathing in the vibrations of sound, you can create this feeling of warmth and connection (to both yourself and your close ones), even in London’s relentless hustle and bustle.
Here’s to a more gezellig December!
Ems xo
Come get gezellig with Emily & Joseph.
Check out our events page for current London and worldwide events.
Don’t see an event near you? Reach out to Emily and book her to deliver a workshop in your studio or venue!