Hygge (pronounced hue-guh not hoo-gah) is a Danish word used when acknowledging a feeling or moment, whether alone or with friends, at home or out, ordinary or extraordinary as cosy, charming or special.
Hygge is self care and Soul care and the art of creating intimacy and coziness of the soul. In short it is a feeling and you know when you feel it, you can’t miss it. So the recipe for Hygge is just chill, relax, be present, stay together, and be comfortable. The main idea is to look for happiness everyday, maybe in small things, like a warm embrace, just without the physical touch.
You have to divorce wealth and well-being. Try to focus on little things that matter, like doing things that you really like, maybe spending time with your loved ones or with a new friend, enjoy the things that keep you happy. Hygge is about appreciating the simple pleasures in life. Now think of a perfect Sunday(or any other weekly day off) in your mind. Mine would be a blank TO-DO-List, a lot of time. I can change my mind to pick the Netflix shows, in short happy with simple pleasures of life(cancel my Pilates class, please). This is HYGGE.
Dress code:
Very comfortable, old cotton T-shirt comes to my mind, with most comfy shorts, remember older the better, or something that you wont wear in public and lying in your cupboard because you like it, this is the time to remove your secret favourite clothes and wear it. My favourite is an old cotton dress(easily a decade old) and hair tied in top knot, and I’m ready for Hygge! Whatever it is, you wear ultimate wealth not on your wrist, but on your face, in the form of a smile- because ultimate wealth is having a life you love. And Hygge will give you that smile.
What does Hygge smell like?
Some of the fragrances associated with Hygge are: Freshly brewed Coffee, Home Baked Bread, Hot Chocolate, Vanilla, Fresh Air, Moist Mud, Clean Laundry and Fresh Flowers.
Hygge way of Eating
The Hygge way of eating is all about indulging mindfully. Add these notions of warmth, compassion, and comfort to your food, with the rituals with which meals are prepared and consumed.. Make Popcorn the old fashion way and let your house smell like butter Popcorn. Make that bowl of heavy cream pasta and enjoy to the fullest. Hygge is about giving yourself a break from the demands of healthy living, but taking time to bake, savour, and enjoy the process of it. My husband and I ate Pizza by candlelight and sipped wine after dinner. Then Ice-cream on the bed. My Hygge day!
Coffee Breaks:
When was the last time you ordered coffee and actually sat down to drink it? Better yet, when did you last make coffee at home and invite friends and family over to enjoy it with you? In our busy lives it is hard-pressed to find someone who can sit down, take slow sips of their coffee, and just talk. When you’re tempted to run out to your local cafe, head down and AirPods in, ask a friend to come along. Better yet, invite a friend for coffee chat at your place. After all, fostering community is a key part in making such a happy place to live.
Indulge:
I didn’t even realise when my favourite sweet treat became 99% Cacao Chocolate. Initially I used it as inspiration to branch out a bit from my usual go-to sweets and to explore the flavour complexities that confectionaries can offer. But In a pinch, sitting down to cinnamon buns and hot chocolate with Nutella for breakfast (don’t question it, just try), is one of the most Hygge things I can think of. Feels like a true indulgence—like a food hug, if there were such a thing.
Find Your Hygge:
With a book I feel like reading today, it is not necessary to read the book that I’m reading in continuation, pick a new book today, you can also try reading with a warm cup of tea, sounds good, try it yourself, find your Hygge.
There is nothing fancy, expensive, or luxurious about a pair of ugly Hygge socks—and that is a vital feature of Hygge.
Combine all of the above and add few more with relaxing activities and find your “TOTAL BLISS”:
My favourites are:
- Sitting with a book for hours.
- Sipping a warm mug of freshly brewed coffee or tea
- Dim the lights and use candles instead. Lighting candles in the house is so Hygge.
- Wearing ugly, but oh-so-comfortable clothing, like old T-Shirts and Shorts.
- Going for a long walk without keeping a check on steps on your Smart Watch.
- Enjoying delicious food, made from scratch, and savouring it with someone dear. Bake bread and eat it. Don’t deprive yourself
- Watching a movie under a warm blanket. I would recommend just Netflix & Relax. Cuddling up and watching a movie or TV is very Hygge—especially if you’re sharing a blanket and bowl of popcorn.
- Playing Board Games or Cards is also Hygge.
- My husband and I polished off a season of Squid Games and rarely left the house all weekend. It was utterly glorious.
- Having a few close friends over is definitely Hygge.
- Keep things simple.
Some ways to incorporate Hygge into your lifestyle:
- Surround yourself with friends and family.
- Double down on pillows and blankets.
- Incorporate wood, earth tones, and plants into your home decor.
- Take a walk in nature.
- Enjoy the simple pleasures.
- Be present and thankful.
- Stay an extra hour in bed.
- Barbeque outside.
- Reuse and recycle.
- Take up a new hobby.
- Remember that Hygge is not just for winter. It is the Danish way of life. Even more than just home decor and the types of foods we eat, it is about creating an environment that nourishes a sense of well-being. It is about being together with loved ones. And it is about living the best life we can.
- Keep it simple.
- Don’t stress.
New Hygge:
Friluftsliv
Friluftsliv (pronounced free-loofts-liv). Friluftsliv is the Norwegian concept of embracing nature and the outdoors as a way of life. It roughly translates as open-air life.
“Emphasize on savou
ring the moment in a busy world of endless Instagram scrolls and a nonstop news cycle”.
“Hygge will bring a great sense of comfort and joy to your life”.
“After all, Hygge encourages you to live life to the fullest and do what makes you feel the coziest and most happy, Netflix marathons and cereal for dinner included”.
Find your Hygge and share with me!!
