What is Koselig?

The world feels very rushed and disconnected from reality, I think we can all agree with that. A lot of times it might feel like you’re being forced into the type of life that you have, working a job you don’t want, living in a place you might not like, and the feeling like you never have time to enjoy your life. We crave warmth, togetherness, and comfort, and instead fake workplace personalities and ‘networking’ are pushed at us. I stumbled upon the idea of koselig when I was trying to make mundane aspects of my life more interesting as I believe that’s the first step to having a more interesting life.

The Norwegian concept of koselig (pronounced “koosh-lee”) beautifully captures this feeling. More than just coziness, koselig is about creating an atmosphere of deep connection, warmth, and well-being—whether alone or with others. It is the crackling of a fireplace on a cold winter night, the glow of candlelight in a quiet room, or the laughter of loved ones gathered around a table. At its core, koselig is about intention the conscious choice to cultivate comfort and presence. It is a practice of slowing down and embracing life’s simple pleasures, because lets face it for many those simple moments of having your morning coffee or your evening wind-down are some of the few our busy life let’s us have.

This philosophy aligns beautifully with the ritual of a cacao ceremony (checkout our Cacao Ceremony Guide and make your own) which also invites us to be fully present, to open our hearts, and to nourish our souls.

Koselig and the Ritual of Cacao

A cacao ceremony is not just about drinking cacao, it is about the experience, the atmosphere, and the intention that you put behind it. When we prepare and enjoy ceremonial cacao, we are creating our own koselig moment. One of the most beautiful aspects of koselig is how it transforms ordinary moments into something sacred. A cacao ceremony naturally mirrors this by encouraging us to create a space of comfort and presence, perhaps with dim lighting, soft music, or a cozy blanket wrapped around our shoulders. Whether alone or in the company of others, the atmosphere we create enhances the depth of our experience.

Mindfulness and Presence

Koselig isn’t just about creating an external atmosphere, it’s about an internal atmosphere, too. It’s about being present, truly savoring the moment rather than rushing through life. For example, if you are like most people the first thing you do in the morning is either make a coffee or buy it on your way to work. This quickly becomes just another task you do as you go about your day, it becomes a habit. Instead try putting some intention into that moment of making your coffee. Now, I want to be clear, intention does not necessarily mean more time spent on the task, it could be as simple as being mindful as you make your coffee and thankful for another day ahead In a cacao ceremony, we hold our cup with reverence, inhale its rich aroma, and take slow, intentional sips. Each sip becomes a meditation, a moment of gratitude and connection.

Connection to Self and Others

At the heart of koselig is the joy of togetherness—sharing warmth, conversation, and presence with others. Likewise, cacao ceremonies have long been used to foster deep connection, whether through group rituals, heartfelt conversations, or silent reflection. Even when done alone, a cacao ceremony invites us to connect with ourselves in a meaningful way.

Embracing the hard times

Koselig encourages us to find beauty and comfort in every season, even the coldest and darkest ones. A cacao ceremony can be an act of seasonal self-care—a way to welcome winter with a warm mug in hand, or to celebrate the summer sun with an outdoor ritual. Just as koselig teaches us to embrace the ebb and flow of life, cacao invites us to honor the cycles of nature and our own inner rhythms.

Both koselig and cacao ceremonies remind us that life is meant to be felt, savored, and shared. In a world that moves quickly, these practices invite us to slow down, embrace warmth and connection, and create moments of true presence. Whether you are wrapped in a blanket with a steaming cup of cacao or gathered with friends for a heartfelt ceremony, the spirit of koselig is alive in every sip, in every flickering candle, and in every moment of deep connection.

So next time you prepare a cup of ceremonial cacao, let it be more than a drink—let it be a koselig experience, a ritual of warmth, presence, and heart-centered connection.