Hygge

Thursday, January 19, 2017 No tags Permalink

It’s one of those mornings when the world outside is gray, bleak, and frigid. But it’s OK because I’m inside, drinking freshly-brewed tea by candlelight, my slipper-clad feet curled up underneath a fluffy blanket . Instead of battling the elements, engaging with my inbox or arranging my schedule for the day, I’m experiencing a moment of hygge: a phenomenon first documented in 18th-century Denmark that’s been crucial to Danes ever since.

Hygge (pronounced hue-gah) is a Danish word that defies a literal translation but can be described as a feeling or mood that comes taking genuine pleasure in making ordinary, every day moments more meaningful, beautiful or special. Whether it’s making coffee a verb by creating a ritual of making it then lingering over a cup to a cozy evening in with loved ones, to the simple act of lighting a candle with every meal. Hygge is being aware of a good moment whether it’s simple or special.

Danes created hygge because they were trying to survive boredom, long  cold and dark nights, and the undefinable feeling of hygge was a way for them to find moments to celebrate or acknowledge and to break up the day, months or years. With so many cold, dark days, the simple act of a candle glowing with a cup of coffee in the morning or a home cooked evening meal with friends can make a huge difference to one’s spirit.

By creating simple rituals without effort (such as brewing real tea with a pretty china cup every evening to stopping at the flower shop every week) the Danes see both the domestic and personal life as an art form and not every drudgery to get away from. They incorporate hygge into their daily life so it becomes a natural extension rather than a forced and stressful event.

Hygge is about being present enough to recognize and acknowledge an act, moment or feeling when the ordinary feels extraordinary.

Without being aware of it at the time, I was raised with hygge. I was taught to value experiences and people, rather than things.  Fancy material things don’t hold much appeal to me. I prefer to be comfy and cozy in an intimate setting. Life is so much more enjoyable when you take comfort in the everyday.

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