Finding Hygge (finding what?)

Maybe you have seen the word on inspirational signs or in a book and wondered, what is this word and how do you pronounce it? Hygge (Hoo-Ga) is a Danish word that describes many different things to different people, all in one word. Essentially, it’s anything that brings you that warm and fuzzy feeling of cozy. It’s a concept that permeates Scandinavian culture in general and isn’t easily translated, but when you have it, you know it!

Photo by Shayna Douglas on Unsplash

“Hygge has been called everything from ‘the art of creating intimacy,’ ‘cozyness of the soul,’ and the absence of annoyance’ to ‘taking pleasure from the presence of soothing things,’ ‘cozy togetherness,’ and my personal favorite, ‘cocoa by candlelight’.” -Meik Wiking, author of The Little Book of Hygge.

MY personal favorite is ‘the absence of annoyance’!

Some ways I find hygge at home:

• Coffee with cinnamon in the morning when the house is quiet and everyone else is still asleep, the dog curled up at my feet, and a fire in the hearth.

• Curled up on the couch with a soft blanket, a good book, and a glass of wine on a quiet evening.

• Soaking in my happy place hot tub on a winter evening, especially when there is snow on the ground.

Hygge can be found in the home, at work, or anywhere you find yourself with that feeling of cozy, comfort, and contentment. Some ways to create hygge are to light a candle, a special blanket or an extra pillow, natural objects like crystals, rocks, or a cool piece of driftwood you found on the beach that one time. Or maybe it’s a fun vintage find that evokes a sense of nostalgia or history.

It can be felt in unexpected places too. The other day, I was strolling around a local shopping village. It was a very cold, sunny afternoon and I bought my usual Americano with cream and a book about plants. (Oh! That’s another thing that brings me hygge! My plants.) I wandered around for a bit and found a nice table outside where I could sip my coffee and read my new book. I was alone, no one was bothering me or annoying me, I felt happy and content. I found hygge.

So, the next time you are feeling cozy and content at home, or peacefully sitting in your favorite cafe sipping a delicious warm drink, walking along a forest path, or anyplace where you feel…..warm and fuzzy, remember to have gratitude that you found hygge. Even if only for a little while.

“Hygge was never meant to be translated - it was meant to be felt.” -Pia Edberg