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How many of you have heard of hygge?? I learned about it just under two years ago while I was swiping through pins on Pinterest. It’s funny, because as soon as I read the definition of what it was, it was like an ah-ha moment – I knew instantly that I had moments in my life where I felt hygge and was very much aware of it but just didn’t have a name for it. In other words, I was in the present moment feeling secure, warm, cozy, happy and grateful in my surroundings. In my opinion, it’s one of the best feelings in the world!
So what is hygge anyways? Google defines hygge (pronounced hue-guh), as ‘a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture)’. I’ll add that it’s really just taking in life’s simple pleasures.
Many would argue that you can’t buy hygge, which I agree is true. However, I do believe that your surroundings can enhance the hygge that you do feel. And by surroundings, I mean the items you bring into your home and even the food that you eat. I strive to incorporate hygge into our everyday lives so I’m excited to share some key elements I’ve learned about over the past two years. If I can see something that will help create an environment where my family and I can feel safe, cozy, warm and grateful, I’ll bring it into our home. I imagine many of us do this without ever realizing it. Below are the key points I’ve learned about incorporating hygge into your home.
#1 – Incorporate Elements of Decor That Will Make Your Home Feel Cozy
One of the easiest first steps you can take to begin incorporating hygge into your home is by taking inventory of the items or spaces that currently fill your home. Do they help give you a sense of peace, harmony and gratefulness? Most times, I find that it’s really a space in my home with a number of hygge elements that gives me those feelings, rather than a singular item itself. For example, bedrooms are spaces where it’s easy to incorporate hygge simply because of the nature of a bedroom – a place to rest. Soft lighting and candles mixed with cozy furnishings such as pillows and throw blankets can easily help bring in hygge. Warm drinks like tea or hot chocolate (or even coffee) can add to the overall peaceful vibe you’re trying to create. My favorite way to bring in hygge during the Fall and Winter? Lighting the fireplace, cozying up on the couch with a soft throw blanket while wearing a comfy sweater and socks all while sipping on my green tea. Apple cinnamon candle burning in the background. Just typing this gives me all the feels of hygge. 🙂 But take note, none of this works or gives you the true feeling of hygge without bringing your mind into the present moment – which I talk more about below.
#2 – Be Present + Mindful
They say the key to happiness is being in the present moment. Like many people, this can be a challenging thing to practice with our busy lives and so much happening in the world right now. The thing is, you can’t have hygge surroundings and not be mindful and present in the moment. It takes both to truly experience hygge! One simple way to do this is by turning off your phone or tv. It may sound a bit extreme, but it’s really the only way you will be able to appreciate and acknowledge the light of a burning candle, the smell of hot cider or something yummy baking in the oven, or the coziness of the throw blanket wrapped around you keeping you warm or secure. Be in the moment!
# 3 – Practice Togetherness
If you’re lucky to have loved ones around you, embrace the moments you are able to enjoy their presence! Now that the world is locking down restaurants and bars, it’s a great time to plan a night in (in a socially distanced way, of course 🙂 ). So make the most of your time by making a home-cooked meal for your guests to enjoy, keeping the dress attire low-key for comfort and keeping the conversation fun and engaging. No drama! Don’t forget to light a candle or turn on the fireplace, of course. 🙂