Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Weird things that make you feel comforted...

269 replies

70sWasTheBestMusicEra · 03/02/2023 19:45

Not the usual things like kittens and hot chocolate. Just random things.

Has anyone got Netflix? You know Derek? Well the show in general makes me feel warm and cozy, because it's filled with care and loving characters.

But at the end of every episode... the channel 4 logo appears and that little chime plays (I can't remember the name for that!) but for some reason it makes me feel calm. Like it's nighttime and everyone is peacefully at home with a little lamp on under a quilt.

The crack of dawn imagining you're near the sea and can hear the sound of ship horns whilst still under your blanket waking up.

Driving past parked lorries in the dark imagining how nice it would be to be tucked up in one of those cabbies with a blanket and surrounded by the lights they decorate them with.

80s films, like ET, Stand By Me and The Goonies where again it's nighttime and the kids are all gathered around eating pizza or telling ghost stories with nothing to worry about because they're kids. Simpler times.

Being on a canal boat with the log burner in full works, or sat on the pontoon with a fold out chair and a bottle of wine in the evening.

Can you tell? I like nighttime and water 😃

OP posts:
WalkingWinifred · 04/02/2023 00:39

Ooo driving in the dark ❤️

Passmethecrisps · 04/02/2023 00:55

I used to live close to the railway. I found the sound of the train really reassuring. I moved further away but when the wind is in the right way I can still hear the announcements and it makes me swell with comfort and safety.

I can hear seagulls in the early morning and it always does something very odd to me. We aren’t near the sea. These are seagulls in the general
sense so a variety of sea birds. But hearing them wake and call is almost primordial. It never fails to make me catch my breath.

noodlezoodle · 04/02/2023 02:22

I used to love hearing the foghorn at night when I lived by the sea, but I don't think they use them any more. It made me feel secure and warm, somehow.

@Giggorata I'm happy to tell you that foghorns are still a thing, at least where I live. The first night I heard them I thought fucking hell, I'll never be able to sleep through that. Now I barely hear them, and when I do, I love them Grin

Theoldwoman · 04/02/2023 06:18

Hearing my youngest DD sing, she’s been seriously unwell for years but when she sings, I know she’s having a happy moment.

Violin tunes. I play myself, but hearing others play is soothing.

Rain on the caravan roof.

Neighbours mowing their lawns while I’m lying in bed.

Nannewnannew · 04/02/2023 08:52

I love hearing the school children playing at break time, they sound so happy.

I used to love seeing a line full of white terry nappies blowing in the breeze, sadly don’t see them anymore, but always gave me a warm feeling.

The sound of a jet engine going over very high always gives me a comforting feeling, no idea why.

howdyhey · 04/02/2023 09:17

I love snow globes. I have one that is a little log cabin surrounded by fir trees and a couple of deer. I've had it years and I have always wanted to climb inside and live in the white, snowy, cosy Christmassy world.

EnjoythemoneyJane · 04/02/2023 10:16

I have loads, but night time snowfall is one. If it starts snowing heavily in the evening I go to bed with a feeling of real joy for the calm, cosy day we’ll have the next day. We’re in the countryside and get snowed in at least once a year. We’ll get up and walk the dog on beautiful fresh snow with only animal footprints, without seeing a soul, everything muffled and quiet. And then DD and I will spend the day in front of the fire, eating cheese toasties and watching old movies under a furry blanket - it’s total bliss and the definition of cosy for me.

Also, the golden hour at dusk in the summertime. It brings such feelings of nostalgia and comfort as it has such strong associations with childhood - running around the garden barefoot with my sister, hoping not to be called in just yet. Hearing the birds and the neighbours’ sprinklers and the faint sounds of televisions and cooking, and looking back at the house and seeing my mum in the warm glow of the kitchen. Being in the garden at that time of day still makes me feel happy and at peace.

I love this thread!

Commonsensitivity · 04/02/2023 10:34

Oddly I also get very calmed by cleaning my ears out with earbuds. Yes I know you're not supposed to do it. My mother used to do it.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 04/02/2023 10:49

The biscuity smell of my dogs fur and his slightly whiffy breath

Nannewnannew · 04/02/2023 11:06

EnjoythemoneyJane · 04/02/2023 10:16

I have loads, but night time snowfall is one. If it starts snowing heavily in the evening I go to bed with a feeling of real joy for the calm, cosy day we’ll have the next day. We’re in the countryside and get snowed in at least once a year. We’ll get up and walk the dog on beautiful fresh snow with only animal footprints, without seeing a soul, everything muffled and quiet. And then DD and I will spend the day in front of the fire, eating cheese toasties and watching old movies under a furry blanket - it’s total bliss and the definition of cosy for me.

Also, the golden hour at dusk in the summertime. It brings such feelings of nostalgia and comfort as it has such strong associations with childhood - running around the garden barefoot with my sister, hoping not to be called in just yet. Hearing the birds and the neighbours’ sprinklers and the faint sounds of televisions and cooking, and looking back at the house and seeing my mum in the warm glow of the kitchen. Being in the garden at that time of day still makes me feel happy and at peace.

I love this thread!

Aww@EnjoythemoneyJane your post is so beautifully written it really paints a picture. Have you ever thought of writing a novel, if you haven’t I think you should?

Mydogatemypurse · 04/02/2023 11:08

Call the midwife, washing machine, the light on my oven

Ryder68 · 04/02/2023 11:50

I get a prickly scalp and drowsy feeling if I am near someone perusing a magazine or newspaper. It's the sound of turning pages that does it! instant calm.

BaroldandNedmund · 04/02/2023 12:22

Watching Miranda - I’ve seen each episode many many times.

When my dog lies on my legs or on top of my head. And as someone else mentioned, the little sleep barks🙂.

Sleeping in a cold room with the window wide open listening to the wind and owls hooting. I currently can’t even open my window because I’m on a main road and when I imagine winning the lottery, this is the thing I dream about.

The warmth of clothes that have been on the radiator.

Being with a responsible adult. I don’t have family nearby and I’ve realised that the only time I’m truly relaxed is for a couple of days at Christmas when my older brother is around. I’d never tell him this because he’d think I was bonkers. I’m 50 btw!

There’s a little meadow in the country park that I go to most days. It’s got short, mossy grass and in the summer I take off my shoes to walk through it. In winter when it’s frosty, and especially if it’s a bit sunny, it’s so magical that sometimes I kind of laugh to myself. There’s an owl nesting box on a tree and once a barn owl flew across and I was awestruck!

A cup of tea at someone else’s house. I feel like my problems don’t exist if I’m at someone else’s house.

When people say hello to my dogs and are kind to them. I always say hello to other people’s dogs but most people don’t.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 04/02/2023 12:30

A cup of tea at someone else’s house. I feel like my problems don’t exist if I’m at someone else’s house.

Yes! I love sitting at someone else's kitchen table drinking tea and talking shite.

darisdet · 04/02/2023 12:36

When people say hello to my dogs and are kind to them. I always say hello to other people’s dogs but most people don’t.

I don't have a dog but always say hello if one comes up to me. 😀

wherearetheturtles · 04/02/2023 12:46

Watching a long running series.

heidbuttsupper · 04/02/2023 12:49

Sleeping with my Squish Mallow. Its like a cushion teddy thing. Hugging it and falling asleep is so comforting and I always sleep really well with it

BaroldandNedmund · 04/02/2023 12:57

darisdet · 04/02/2023 12:36

When people say hello to my dogs and are kind to them. I always say hello to other people’s dogs but most people don’t.

I don't have a dog but always say hello if one comes up to me. 😀

🙂

BaroldandNedmund · 04/02/2023 13:03

I also like looking at the sky when it’s that beautiful turquoise colour just before dusk. I’m in East Anglia so the skies are huge! I could happily lie on the grass and just gaze up. I don’t though because the dogs would whinge!

I also love when the sun is shining on frost and everything it glittery. I just stand and stare at it for ages. Once, a few years ago, there was a very light snow shower of tiny flakes and the sun was shining on them so it was snowing glitter. It only lasted a couple of minutes but I’ll never forget it.

This is actually really good for mental health because we’re actively thinking about all the wonderful things that have happened to us.

EnjoythemoneyJane · 04/02/2023 13:06

@Nannewnannew, thank you so much, what a lovely thing to say!

Commonsensitivity · 04/02/2023 15:50

A cup of tea at someone else’s house. I feel like my problems don’t exist if I’m at someone else’s house.

Ah yes, I know that feeling.

Nemomarge · 04/02/2023 16:20

I also love to stand on my front door step with a cup of tea if it's snowing, everything just seems so peaceful and quite like to sound is being absorbed by the snow.

MargaretThursday · 04/02/2023 16:54

The sound of rain on the windows when I'm warm and cosy in bed.

Findyourneutralspace · 04/02/2023 17:25

Desert Island Discs. I have some favourites that I listen to often, but any will do.

StayGoldenPonyGirl · 04/02/2023 17:50

Smells of childhood: Vosene, creosote, cut grass on sports fields, Vicks, pva glue. All take me right back to no worries/responsibilities!

Banana sandwiches on white bread and smoky bacon crisps. Does anyone remember Mighty White bread, with the bits in it and the creepy kid on the packaging? I'd bloody love a jam sandwich or lemon curd on Mighty White.

Going to bed without having to set an alarm because you don't have to be up early...but I don't think that's weird!

Swipe left for the next trending thread