PsychologyAugust 29, 2026
cocooning
kuh-KOON-ing
Definition
The act of withdrawing or retreating into a secluded, protected, or comfortable state, often during a transitional period or in preparation for change.
Etymology
The word stems from the French 'cocon,' which originally meant a shell for a silkworm pupa, combined with the suffix '-ing' to denote the act of wrapping oneself in such a protective layer.
In the news
In the article, the author uses 'cocooning' to describe the autumn-to-winter transition as a period of hibernation-like preparation where we slow down to transform internally, much like a caterpillar in a cocoon.
Fall Transitions: What Will You Harvest? What Let Go?
Read the full article ↗Psychology Today