Discovering hygge

Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga): cosiness of the soul – and so much more…

I was given ‘The Little Book of Hygge’ for Christmas.

I’d seen the cover a few times on Instagram posts/facebook, but hadn’t really paid much attention to what it was all about. But as I started reading it I realised that hygge is something that I’m already drawn to, I just never had a name for it.

I’ve always preferred the colder months to the warmer ones. Part of the reason is that I have allergies, and they bother me less when it’s not hot. But a bigger part of the reason is that I love to be cosy. I love wrapping up in big jumpers, thick socks and woolly scarves. I love draping blankets over all the chairs in the living room and curling up with a good book in a nest of cushions. I love wearing snuggly slippers. I love lighting candles and the cosy glow they create.

And as I started to read this little book of loveliness, I realised that all these things (and more) contribute to hygge.

So, what exactly is hygge? Well, I’m not going to be able to answer in depth in one post (unless it was really long, and then you’d get bored – and so would I). But in a nut shell, these are a few of the things that create a feeling of hygge.

It’s about creating an atmosphere of cosiness.

It’s about enjoying the small things in life, slowing down, taking time to notice what’s going on around you.

It’s about indulgence, enjoying simple treats, nothing ostentatious (think tea and biscuits rather than champagne and caviar).

It’s about quality time with friends and family, creating memories together.

It’s about switching off the technology for a while, removing the screens so that conversation can happen.

It’s about practicing gratitude, being thankful for the small things as well as the big.

Gratitude journal

As Meik Wiking, the author of the book, puts it, “Hygge is about making the most of what we have in abundance: the everyday.”

Although there are some elements of hygge that I’ve been doing for years, there are other things I’ve not thought of before. I’m excited to find out more about it and see how I can add new things to my daily/weekly routines that will increase the hygge in my home.

I’ve started looking for other ideas on Pinterest (where else would one look for new ideas?!) and have a Hygge board – pop over and have a look if you’re interested in finding out a bit more (there are people out there who know a lot more about it than I do!).

If hygge is something you already incorporate into life, what advice would you give those of us who are only just starting to find out about it? I’d love to hear how you create that special kind of cosiness!