Chapter I

Many years ago, after a challenging final year at university, I set off for six months of volunteer work in South America. One afternoon, while wandering the streets of São Paulo, I stumbled upon a bookstore unlike any I’d ever seen. It rose four stories tall, with a magical creature suspended from the ceiling, quietly watching over an endless sea of books.

As I browsed the aisles in search of the English section, I came across The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell—a book a friend had once recommended. At the checkout, the shop assistant asked if I’d like it gift-wrapped. I paused and thought. Then said yes.

A gift — for me.

A small act of self-care. A quiet indulgence. I felt a surprising sense of delight unwrapping the blue and white paper. And over the next few days, as I turned its pages, I felt something shift even more. I felt more present. More focused. More myself.

Reading, I realised, requires us to slow down. To pay attention. To stay with something, mindfully. In a world overflowing with notifications, updates, and distractions, that kind of presence feels almost radical. That small moment—of buying a book and treating it as something special—stayed with me. It reminded me that even the simplest rituals, like making a cup of tea, sharing chocolates with a friend or wearing an evening robe, can be quiet and still feel extraordinary.

Chapter II

Did I carry that lesson with me? Unfortunately, I did not.

Years later, in 2024, stress and burnout caught up with me, culminating in a chronic illness that lasted over six months. During that time, I finally opened up to friends—and found that I wasn’t alone. Many of them had been quietly struggling too, turning to retreats, mental health breaks, or simply longing for a break.

That’s when the idea for Kōse was born.

Rooted in the Norwegian concept of koselig—the art of finding warmth and joy in life’s simple pleasures—Kōse is a space to restore. A gentle invitation to step away from screens, from noise, from pressure. To remember what it feels like to be still. To be in good company. To care for yourself—and to let others care for you, too.

We believe self-care doesn’t have to be loud, or expensive, or complicated. Sometimes, it’s just a shared meal. A deep conversation. A walk with a friend. A packaged book. A quiet moment.

We hope you discover your kōse rituals.

Warm regards,

Shaista