Stop. Today…I’m Getting’ Hygge With It.

As temperatures continue to drop and the colorful fall leaves release themselves from their branches, dancing a final goodbye, we find ourselves preparing for the winter months.  Cranking on the heater, the familiar scent of the summer’s dust burning away, we shuffle around in warm socks or slippers and a cozy blanket becomes a staple piece of the living room. 

For some this is a frustrating time, one that keeps them from engaging in events around their city, enjoying the company of friends on sun soaked patios or having to retire their bicycles or boats for the season.  For others, however, the chill in the air triggers a giddy desire to envelop themselves in warmth and comfort by lighting up a crackling fireplace, simmering a favorite soup on the stove and just simply sitting back to enjoy the peace and quiet:  to embrace hygge.

Hygge, (pronounced hew-guh) is a Danish word that has no direct English translation.  The essential meaning of the word is to have a feeling of wellness and contentment.  Being mindful of finding coziness and warmth is pertinent for those living in climates where biting winds and thick snows blanket a good portion of the year, and so the word came to be!  Hygge does not have to mean wrapping yourself in a blanket alone on your couch sipping cocoa.  It is the acknowledgement of the warm fulfillment that comes with engaging in certain activities, a meaningful conversation with a loved one, or even the way a particular spot in your home makes you feel.  

It is easy to get lost in the frustration of confinement that comes with chilly temperatures and inclement weather, but there are also simple ideas that can help turn those moments where life seems to standstill into a perfect opportunity to embrace hygge.  I love the concept of hygge and have begun compiling a list of ideas to help cultivate the sensation when I’m struggling through the coming winter months.   While there really are endless ways to do so, sometimes a handful of ideas can help catapult other creative outlets for someone else who needs that jumpstart.  So let’s begin…

·         Game night!  Whether it is with your family at home or if you live alone and want to invite neighbors or friends over, participating in a good game of checkers, dominoes, or even a raunchy round of Cards Against Humanity is a great way to spend an evening.   Crank up the comfort notch by making it a pajama party and get a good laugh at what people choose to wear.  The mental snapshots you’ll collect will be fulfilling memories.    

·         Simmer the sauce.  For some of us this might mean a hotty toddy or mulled wine (which is  perfectly fine as well!) but spending time in the kitchen creating a meal is not only satisfying, it will also fill your home with savory & delicious scents (plus the warmth of the oven and stove!) White chicken chili, Mississippi roast, and classic chicken & dumplings are a few of my favorites.  Discover some recipes that intrigue you and take the time to carefully prepare the ingredients.  The measuring of spices, slicing through vegetables, and bringing the pot to a boil are all palpable moments we take for granted. 

·         Pinterest It!  Scrolling through Pinterest can be exhilarating on one hand and daunting on the other.  Tackling DIY projects or the thought of decorating your home to the level of perfection the photos in Pinterest portray can feel overwhelming, so many times we simply do nothing.  But think about how much beauty we find in that one photograph.  It is only one space, sometimes a tiny nook or a doorway, but that image brings us so much joy.  It is aesthetically pleasing, so why not give yourself that tiny space of perfection as well?  A windowsill can become a haven for some potted herbs.  A hallway nook can easily be converted into a cozy reading space with some floating shelves, oversized pillows and a funky lamp (and of course some great books).   Create a spot, however small, so that when you stumble across that space it brings about a smile.  That smile is hygge manifested.

·         Pick up the phone...But actually make a call.  There is nothing wrong with texting, and for many reasons it serves a vital purpose in society today, but so much can be lost in translation.  The personal connection that comes with actually hearing someone’s voice on the other end of a phone call causes certain reactions in our brain that can’t be duplicated through texts.  Don’t put the pressure of a perfect conversation on your shoulders, experience and appreciate being completely present with someone you likely don’t get to see or speak to regularly. 

·         Love yourself.  For all those introverts out there, the winter can be a welcome excuse to huddle indoors and retreat into blissful isolation.  Whether that looks like catching up on books you’ve been meaning to get to, scribbling in your journal, giving in to an afternoon nap or just binging on some HULU & Netflix, there’s no judgment here.  Just be present and welcome the solitude you’ve been craving.

As you can see, hygge can take many forms and isn’t easily defined.  In our world where we feel the need for constant distraction and hustle, slowing down to appreciate the sounds of our loved ones laughs, the care of a homemade meal, a favorite spot in the home, a familiar voice, or blissful silence is worth the simple effort.  So the next time you find yourself at home on a chilly morning feeling the need to occupy the day with chores and noise, just slow down.  Take a deep breath and tell yourself, “Stop.  Today…I’m Getting’ Hygge With It.”  (Ok, wrong pronunciation but still, made you smile…)

Photo by Pavan Trikutam Unsplash