The Little Book of Hygge found me in the sleepy time between Christmas and New Year’s of 2020 – a time when I was both surviving and overcompensating for the holidays.
It may be commonplace for some but it was the first year I decorated and listened to Christmas music before Thanksgiving. It was my earnest attempt at willing the joy and light that was missing in the earlier part of a pandemic- ridden year. And you know what? It worked.
Soon after a visit to the local bookshop gifted me with more ideas to lean into the season. The unassuming book that fits in the palm of my hands made a huge impact on my heart. A review for The Little Book of Hygge can be found in my January Reads post.
The Danish concept of hygge, or hyggelig (adj.), refers to finding comfort, pleasure, and warmth in simple, soothing things such as a cozy atmosphere or the feeling of friendship. My favorite definition describes the term as a “hug for the soul.”
As the author Meik Wiking explains, “hygge is humble and slow. It is choosing rustic over new, simple over posh and ambiance over excitement.” I love the idea of doing things based on what feels good rather than just on what looks good.
The Danes rank at the top of the happiest countries year after year. They’re obviously doing something right.
Identifying the name to something I had valued but had trouble expressing felt like reaching a breakthrough in a therapy office. It gave me clarity to understand myself and my needs better.
My goal is to adopt hygge as a philosophy rather than an item to obtain or a room to retreat. I want the feeling before bed on a Friday evening to follow me wherever I go. To do away with words like: busy, productive, or restless when asked how I’m doing. Instead I strive for my baseline to be: balanced, present, and fulfilled.
Although the hygge lifestyle is attainable year round, I significantly turn up the dial in winter months. Below is a list of nourishing things I’ve incorporated in the spirit of hygge.
- Night showers with the lights turned off and the soft glow of a nightlight, candle or salt lamp
- Dedicating a day to creating – whether writing personalized holiday cards or crafting on a rainy day
- Color coordinating pjs – instead of purchasing a new trendy set piecing together beloved and lived in separates that match
- Incoporating an eye sleep mask and sound machine to my sleep routine
- Keeping the Christmas tree lights on all day
- Voice memos to friends
- Enjoying soup out of a mug
- Starting a Grateful Journal dedicated to a loved one and gifting it to them for the following Christmas, birthday, or rainy day.
- Throwing on my favorite sweater straight from the dryer
- Complimenting a stranger and a loved one at least once a day
- Frequent library visits
- Being rich in candles
- Putting on a fire on our wood burning stove and on Youtube for double coziness.
I try and include a handful of these hygge moments into my daily ritual as a way of slowing down and checking in with my soul. Everyone’s deserves to be hugged and often.
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