How Safe it is to Feel Safe

Inspired by City & Colour's Day Old Hate and Thought Catalog's "Things You Need When You're Sad," I've formed a short list of my favorite, most comforting things.

The drawer
One of the most important rules of comfort I learned from my sister. Have an entire drawer stuffed full of pajamas and other worn-down materials. This way, the need for comfort is resolved quickly. No more searching for that lavender shirt you bought while sixteen, washed extensively like the smooth rocks at the bottom of river basins, material worn so thin that it tears each time you put it on. Guys seem to point out that women are always touching fabric while shopping. That’s right, we are. At the end of the day, we want something that makes us feel good all over, especially if our job/friends/etc hasn’t.

Latest James Bond movie
Is in my DVD player at all times, reserved for my worst days. It’s a cheap trick, watching an on-screen crush. And no, I don’t happen to know in which chapter Daniel Craig steps slowly out of the ocean.

“Same time, same place”
There’s something inherently comforting about meeting a reliable friend so frequently that you don’t bother with changing your environment. This works for you both, and it will always be a priority.

Pumpkin Spice Chai
If your idea of a good weekend night is crashing through the new John Grisham at Arsaga’s instead of wearing a glitter top and slamming shots with rowdy friends, then spice chai is the way to go. For trifecta, add the chilled air of the first day of autumn and an old, well-worn beige cardigan.

Weathered Books
Love the ancient musty smell of old books, and the feel of well-read books…the ones with the broken spine, the dog-earred pages, which have are covered in coffee stains. I once knew someone who would read books so carefully, not even opening it up all the way. Once finished with it, you'd never knew anyone had read it—which is great if they borrowed your paperback. But as for my books, I like to remember that week that I got to know Zee, Elspeth, Martin or whoever. I like returning to my favorite pages, feeling as if I’ve been welcomed back, not approaching the unfamiliar.

Reruns and/or Watching the Same Movies Over & Over
Somewhere along the way, I developed this habit of watching a movie (typically an okaaay movie, nothing that I’d be able to justify to anyone) many, many times. Somedays, home means wearing fuzzy slippers and knowing that George will screw something up and Kramer will profit from it. Other days, it's knowing that there is someone (Monica) who has worse OCD than me and that Chandler always has worse days than me.

What are some of your most comforting things?