Hygge

Winter is in our neighborhood with a vengeance, and it may be time to think about an idea called hygge and how to create it in our homes.  Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian concept that is about coziness and comfort. They know all about cold, and they created hygge because they probably needed a pleasant way to survive the darkness of the long Nordic winter. 

Hygge is a way to find moments of comfort, safety, and celebration, and to break up the dark days of winter with some contentment.  Hygge has to do with warm sweaters, hot cocoa, and chicken soup.  On frigid, winter days, the simple act of a lighting a candle with a cup of coffee in the morning could make a big difference in how you approach your day.

Hygge (pronounced hue-guh) is a Danish word (and idea) that is used when you notice a feeling that is especially cozy or pleasant.  This feeling can happen when you are alone or with friends, at home or outside, in ordinary or unusual circumstances.  Apparently, being Hygge (or to be “hyggeligt”) doesn’t mean that you have to buy anything special, learn anything complicated, or change your lifestyle very much.  Nor does it involve buying anything expensive.  It only requires quietness, a certain ease of mind, and the ability to recognize and enjoy what you already have.

Hygge might involve reading a good book, enjoying a quiet time alone, or playing relaxing music. It will probably mean turning off the social media and the news, or enjoying a hot cup of tea under soft blankets.  It is a way to bring a feeling of safety and comfort to a cold winter world.  The feeling of safety is something that is often missing in these troubled days, and for many people, hygge is not an option.  For those of us lucky enough to have the opportunity for a few hours of peace, we should be sincerely grateful for the blessings that we have.

Many people distill ‘hygge’ down to being a ‘feeling’ – because if you don’t feel hygge, you probably aren’t doing it.  Some also refer to hygge as an “art of creating closeness” either with yourself, with your friends, or with your home. By creating simple rituals without much effort (such as brewing real tea of an evening) the Danes see home life as an art form and not just a drudgery.  Hygge is just about being aware of a good moment and savoring it.  So, consider adding some hygge to your life.  Winter needs all the help it can get.