7 Minute Guided Visualization: Snowy Cottage

Allow yourself to sit comfortably where you are seated, or lie back if you wish. You may choose to close your eyes, soften your gaze, or have your arms loose at your sides. Do whatever is most comfortable for you in this moment. Inhale deeply, and exhale slowly, allowing tension to leave your muscles. Allow your body to feel loose, and heavy, as we enter this snowy cottage visualization together.

Imagine you are standing in a doorway looking out to a snow covered yard. In front of you, there are thick pine trees and sparse bushes, all blanketed in a thick white snow. The sky is light blue, and sun shines down, making the bright white snow glisten and sparkle.

You feel the warmth of the cottage at your back, and the cold, fresh air at your front. The gentle winter wind brushes coolly along your cheeks, your eyes, your nose, your neck.

As you inhale deeply, you feel that refreshing air fill your lungs, before exhaling deeply, seeing your breath swirl against the winter air in front of you. You smell pine, fresh snow, cedar, and a hint of firewood burning.

Now you take time to listen. The forest is quiet, as if the animals lay sleeping beneath winters’ embrace. But, as you listen closer, you hear the rustle of a tree branch, and the scurry of a small creature braving the cold. Like you, the creature feels safe as it returns to the protection of it’s home in the forest.

You hear snow sliding off onto the ground in the distance, and the crackling of the fireplace in the cottage behind you.

Feeling at peace, you turn back towards the cottage, which is ready to welcome you back with a warm embrace. You step inside, close the door, and walk five steps over the thick, quilted rug so that you may sit by the crackling fireplace. The comfortable armchair you choose is deep, warm, and soft.

A large, crystal clear window sits on the wall besides you, so that you may continue to observe the beauty of the snow from this warm cottage. The window is framed in a light, pretty wood with a swirling pattern. The fireplace, which casts a yellow glow across the thick quilted rug, is framed in warm and sturdy bricks. A scent of tea leaves floats in from the kitchen, along with the smell of freshly made bread. You breathe deeply, appreciating these calming smells, and the feeling of your body growing heavier, and more relaxed.

You reach besides you to pick up your favorite mug that’s quite warm to hold, the sides curving in your relaxed hand. It is half-filled with your favorite hot drink, and you sip it slowly, appreciating its bold and warm flavors, before setting it back besides you.

Through the window, snowflakes are starting to fall. They are light and fluffy as they drift slowly down to the earth, settling on pillowy layers of snow. You watch them, noticing each one drifts just a little differently than the one before. You may count them if you wish, while continuing to breathe deeply and allow any remaining tension to leave your muscles. Take a moment to count, and breathe.

You are so comfortable in this place, that you take another moment to just be here, appreciating the smells, sounds, and sights around you.

As we reach the end of this guided visualization, remember that this place will be here for you, welcoming you back when you wish to return.

Begin to wiggle your toes and your finger tips, as you slowly return to the present space. You may open your eyes or stretch slowly. Continue to breathe deeply as you return. Thank you for being part of this visualization.