Bring a little bit of "Hygge" in your life

A group of of friends and I are reading this book this month. The friend who picked it has Danish ancestry, and since I do as well I was excited to read it.

First of all, how the heck to pronounce "Hygge"? It's pronounced "Hoo-ga."

Ok, now that we know how to pronounce it, what does it mean?

Well, Meik Wiking takes the whole book to really delve into what this word means. Here are a couple of phrases that describe what hygge is:


*the art of creating intimacy
*coziness of the soul
*taking pleasure from the presence of    soothing things
*cozy togetherness
*cocoa by candlelight

Denmark is one of the happiest countries. You wouldn't think that because their winters are long and terrible. They have very little daylight during those winters, too. But because of the cold outside, it has created an intimacy inside. It just goes to show, you can be happy in the dreariest of circumstances. You just have to choose to make it more hyggeligt! (hygge-like)

I got really excited about this idea of hygge. Naturally, it meant I had to go shopping. For CANDLES. Or at least candle holders (because that had a plethora of them at Goodwill). I actually made the candle in the tea cup years ago, and it's still one of my favorite candles! Also, I made sure to buy candles that were unscented. The Danish don't like the scented candles because it's not nearly as natural. 

Unnatural = NOT hygge

Then I had to find my perfect spot to enjoy some good hygge. A place in my house that I can curl up with a good book and feel oh-so relaxed. My favorite spot in my house is looking at this view:

Now curling up on my couch talking to friends and looking out the window is quite hyggligt. But something about sitting in a bay window makes you feel even MORE so. My epic plan for this window is get a custom-made cushion for the bay window so I can cozy up, in addition to pillows of all shapes and sizes. For now, I still enjoy relaxing in my bay window. It just may cause my booty to go numb after 30 minutes or so! 

These guys know how to use a bay window. Reading in a bay window is truly embracing hygge!

What are you some other things that you can do to bring a little hygge in your life? 

Go on a bike ride.

Keep a gratitude journal.

Savor a cup of tea (I do herbal, since I'm a Mormon). 

Get together a group of friends or family (3-4 people is ideal) and eat cake.

                                    Go on a picnic.

Cuddle under a blanket and enjoy the crackling of the fire. 

Write a thank-you letter with an actual pen and paper. *gasp*

Meditate. Be in the moment. 

Breathe.

I think I'll go eat some cake.