What is Hygge?
Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) is a Danish word used when acknowledging a feeling or moment, whether alone or with friends, at home or out, ordinary or extraordinary as cozy, charming or special.
Some also refer to hygge as an “art of creating intimacy” (either with yourself, friends and your home). While there’s no one English word to describe hygge, several can be used interchangeably to describe the idea of hygge such as coziness, charm, happiness, contentness, security, familiarity, comfort, reassurance, kinship, and simpleness.
Hygge doesn’t require learning “how to”do something, adopting it as a lifestyle or buying anything. It’s not a thing.
It literally only requires consciousness, a certain slowness, and the ability to not just be present – but recognize and enjoy the present. That’s why so many people distill ‘hygge’ down to being a ‘feeling’ – because if you don’t feel hygge, you probably aren’t using the word right.
If you've ever enjoyed reading a book indoors on a rainy Sunday or a cup of hot cocoa on a snow day you've experienced hygge without even knowing it. Hygge is such an important part of being Danish that it is considered "a defining feature of our cultural identity and an integral part of the national DNA," according to Meik Wiking, the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen.
“When I am silent I fall into the place where everything is music.”
Meik Wiking's Hygge Manifesto:
1. Atmosphere: Mood lighting with candles, twinkle lights, and a fire for all the feels.
2. Presence: Step away from your phone and fully engage with your friends.
3. Pleasure: Have cake for breakfast.
4. Equality: Sharing is caring.
5. Gratitude: Appreciate what you have now.
6. Harmony: Keep the peace and go with the flow.
7. Comfort: Bring on the cozy jumpers and pile on the reindeer fur throws.
8. Truce: Put differences aside.
9. Togetherness: Create deeper ties with your friends and family and reminisce over past experiences.
10. Shelter: Fill your space with things you love.
I have embraced this concept over the last few years and it is an amazing experience. I adore entertaining, coziness, togetherness, laughing, and also just slowing down with my favorite book. I will post acts of hygge here for you to consider...