Introducing Kos
Dear friends,
Since September 2020, I’ve written almost 60 Little Things newsletters. Some of you have received all sixty; some of you just a few. Writing this newsletter has become a Sunday ritual I look forward to every week. I love writing to you all. I consider you all friends, even if we don’t know know each other.
But it’s time for a new season. This newsletter was a tiny acorn but it’s grown into a willowy tree. From here on:
This email newsletter is now called “Kos”. Kos is the first half of my name (get it) and is the Norwegian word for that feeling you get when you’re warm and cozy around the fire with your family or friends or the sense of closeness you feel when reading your child a bedtime story, or staring up at the night sky, holding your lover’s hand. Kos is similar to Hygge, a Danish term floating around the pop culture zeitgeist.
The newsletter will continue to be personal, thoughtful (I always hope), and sent on Sundays. The logo, cover image, and dedicated Instagram are, however, now updated. I will continue to write about the ‘little things’ as I like to call them but more explicitly discuss the simply joy inherent in the Scandinavian cultural ideal of “kos” through topics like parenthood, bodies, spirituality, creativity, beauty, and living abroad.
This subtle shift feels right. It’s the more mature version of the newsletter I began from my bed in Salt Lake City, Utah, months into the Covid 19 pandemic after deciding we were moving to Seoul, South Korea. It’s also a return to my Scandinavian roots, who I am and what I believe, and the deeper meaning of my given name, a name my mother chose for me after she also lived abroad and experienced Norwegian “koselig” firsthand and carried it home with her to America, where she raised seven of us in a home full of koselig; not idyllic, but ever striving. It was full of mistakes, forgiveness, faith, hard work, messy corners, good food, tender hugs, and strong character. I’m grateful she blessed me with this name and I hope to carry on my parents’ tradition in my own home.
It is one of my greatest priveledges to write where, when, and whatever I please. I’m grateful for that every day especially in light of so many voices silenced every day. My words are often basic, silly, and biased but they are still my own. I honor the space I’ve created and that you all, as my readers, support. Your subscription isn’t just a number to me. I appreciate every one of you and think of you as I’m writing. Thank you for your comments, likes, shares, and opens. Every single one is a vote of support for me, an independent female writer, and for independent publishing platforms like Substack. Thank you.
What do we do now?
If you received this email in your inbox, you do not need to do anything. You’ll continue receiving my newly named Kos newsletter every Sunday as usual.
If you are reading this in my Archives or by accident and you want to read more, subscribe here. And welcome!
If you listen to my podcast Little Things, be excited because I just created a new monthly newsletter just for listeners all about the pod! Subscribe here.
If you don’t listen to my podcast yet, but you still want to subscribe to my podcast newsletter, you’re more than welcome. Subscribe here. (Same link as above.) My podcast is a weekly girl talk show where I talk about skincare, motherhood, freelance writing, life in Korea, and what I’m reading. I’ve heard it’s a lot of fun! :)
That’s it. Thank you again. I’ll see you Sunday for our back to our usual weekly warm note, heretofore referred to as Kos. :)
Have a good week,
Koseli
P.S. Kos has a new home on Instagram at @toasty_kos. Follow me there?