Hygge: A Way of Life
Hygge: the word that has put Denmark in the spotlight in since the past year or so. Hygge refers to a cosy feeling, 'an experience', as the author of The Little Book of Hygge, Meik Wiking, puts it.
All these books and blogs and pages and articles published with the word 'Hygge' practically makes Denmark and the other Nordic and Scandinavian countries sound like a utopian society to the rest of the world, who live outside northern Europe. Just imagine, a society that allows people to go home from work early to take care of children, year-long maternity / paternity leaves accompanied with job security, free public education for all (yes, even university), and countries with the shortest work weeks in the whole wide world. Oh, and employers who actually encourage you to take holidays and discourage martyr-style working. A very stark contrast to us who are happy to be able to leave the office on time two days in a row, and pray hard that we don't need to stay at work until late. Let's not even get started on the education systems, it would just make the rest of us, who need to start taking exams since the age of 6, and now perhaps even at 4 yrs old, cry. Sigh...
But still, even as we live in the sweltering heat of this equatorial climate, let's still try and create Hygge in our lives, far away from the blistering cold of Denmark. Why? Because Denmark is ranked one of the happiest countries in the world and definitely it doesn't hurt to take a page out of their (inspirational) book.
Many Hygge-themed books will talk about lighting, candles and wooden furniture with simple lines, more or less. But after reading a few Hygge books, I think Hygge can still be achieved without money, without material aspects and in sweltering hot weather. Afterall, Hygge is an experience and feeling. So, let's get started.
Atmosphere and comfort
Find a happy place, be it a corner in your room, or outdoors. Make yourself comfortable.
Surround yourself with your favourite sofa, pillows, cushions, books, a cup of tea. Choose warm lighting, neutral colours. Favourite music. Keep it simple.
If you like nature, take a stroll in the park (in the evening, night if the day is too hot). Surround yourself with nature. Enjoy it, the breeze, the greenery, the birds chirping. Get moving.
Presence, Equality and Harmony
Put away your phones. Be in the moment. Breathe. Stop thinking about work and errands. Meet-up with your friends and family, people you trust. Have a good chat. Share topics and allow one another the time to talk. No bragging. No criticising.
About that last bit, just thought I would share a short excerpt from Helen Russell's The year of living Danishly (Jante's Law).
"You're not to think you are anything special, you're not to think you are smarter than us, you're not to convince yourself that you are better than us, you're not to laugh at us, you're not to think you can teach us anything..." Much equality, eh?
Respect one another. Understand that roles are complimentary, there is no all important role that overshadows the others.
Nurture trust. Believe that people can be better. And we will also feel better for it.
Care and Share
Before I start sounding like Sharity Elephant, this part is about food. It has to be. We eat at least 3 times a day. We have to talk about food, at some point.
So if you have, like me, already read one or two books about Hygge, you will know that the average Dane consumes, like, double the amount of sugar than the average person outside Denmark. Apparently, it is thanks to Hyggeligt time, where Danes gather together to share sweet treats like cakes, Danishes, cinnamon rolls.. (nomnomnom) and yes, it happens in the office weekly too. So cool, right? Not like some of us who actually have to sneak away to the pantry just to take a short break or those long-awaited welfare activities that nobody has time to organise.
Anyway, invite your friends and family round, or go out for a good meal (no need expensive or Michelin stars). Or have potluck! Share snacks, comfort foods (whatever your culture is), drinks, talk to each other (not scroll through / stare at your phone!), plan a holiday.. enjoy one another's company.
Actually, we did have 'Hygge' at some point in our lives, like class gatherings, BBQ / chalets with your classmates. Those were carefree-er days. It's just that sometimes we forget all these in the paperchase.. So let's just bring it back! :)
(I kid you not, I still wanna go live in Denmark.)
Some cool Hygge books and blogs I came across:
The little book of Hygge, Meik Wiking
May I say this is the cult book of Hygge. Perhaps many started their Hygge journey with this book.
Read this blog for an introduction:
https://hellohygge.com/2016/09/13/hygge-and-happiness-with-meik-wiking/
The year of living Danishly, Helen Russell
A UK journalist moves to rural Jutland, Denmark, with her husband, and this is her month-by-month take on living in Denmark. It's humorous and lighthearted, started me on my Hygge journey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1RXGltx4SI
Hygge, Charlotte Abrahams
A how-to guide on Hygge: design, living and soul.
Fika and Hygge, Bronte Aurell
A recipe book of Danish and Swedish recipes, of course! Lots of butter and sugar.
The list above is by no means prescriptive, just happened to be those available to me. Other Hygge books here.
What Hygge really looks like, Hygge House
http://hyggehouse.com/danish-life/hygge-really-looks-like
Living Hygge, Hygge House
http://hyggehouse.com/everyday/living-hygge
Happiness Research Institute
https://www.happinessresearchinstitute.com/
Forget Hygge, Lykke is the new buzzword
https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/forget-hygge-lykke-is-the-new-danish-buzzword-a3627416.html
All these books and blogs and pages and articles published with the word 'Hygge' practically makes Denmark and the other Nordic and Scandinavian countries sound like a utopian society to the rest of the world, who live outside northern Europe. Just imagine, a society that allows people to go home from work early to take care of children, year-long maternity / paternity leaves accompanied with job security, free public education for all (yes, even university), and countries with the shortest work weeks in the whole wide world. Oh, and employers who actually encourage you to take holidays and discourage martyr-style working. A very stark contrast to us who are happy to be able to leave the office on time two days in a row, and pray hard that we don't need to stay at work until late. Let's not even get started on the education systems, it would just make the rest of us, who need to start taking exams since the age of 6, and now perhaps even at 4 yrs old, cry. Sigh...
But still, even as we live in the sweltering heat of this equatorial climate, let's still try and create Hygge in our lives, far away from the blistering cold of Denmark. Why? Because Denmark is ranked one of the happiest countries in the world and definitely it doesn't hurt to take a page out of their (inspirational) book.
Many Hygge-themed books will talk about lighting, candles and wooden furniture with simple lines, more or less. But after reading a few Hygge books, I think Hygge can still be achieved without money, without material aspects and in sweltering hot weather. Afterall, Hygge is an experience and feeling. So, let's get started.
Atmosphere and comfort
Find a happy place, be it a corner in your room, or outdoors. Make yourself comfortable.
Surround yourself with your favourite sofa, pillows, cushions, books, a cup of tea. Choose warm lighting, neutral colours. Favourite music. Keep it simple.
If you like nature, take a stroll in the park (in the evening, night if the day is too hot). Surround yourself with nature. Enjoy it, the breeze, the greenery, the birds chirping. Get moving.
Presence, Equality and Harmony
Put away your phones. Be in the moment. Breathe. Stop thinking about work and errands. Meet-up with your friends and family, people you trust. Have a good chat. Share topics and allow one another the time to talk. No bragging. No criticising.
About that last bit, just thought I would share a short excerpt from Helen Russell's The year of living Danishly (Jante's Law).
"You're not to think you are anything special, you're not to think you are smarter than us, you're not to convince yourself that you are better than us, you're not to laugh at us, you're not to think you can teach us anything..." Much equality, eh?
Respect one another. Understand that roles are complimentary, there is no all important role that overshadows the others.
Nurture trust. Believe that people can be better. And we will also feel better for it.
Care and Share
Before I start sounding like Sharity Elephant, this part is about food. It has to be. We eat at least 3 times a day. We have to talk about food, at some point.
So if you have, like me, already read one or two books about Hygge, you will know that the average Dane consumes, like, double the amount of sugar than the average person outside Denmark. Apparently, it is thanks to Hyggeligt time, where Danes gather together to share sweet treats like cakes, Danishes, cinnamon rolls.. (nomnomnom) and yes, it happens in the office weekly too. So cool, right? Not like some of us who actually have to sneak away to the pantry just to take a short break or those long-awaited welfare activities that nobody has time to organise.
Anyway, invite your friends and family round, or go out for a good meal (no need expensive or Michelin stars). Or have potluck! Share snacks, comfort foods (whatever your culture is), drinks, talk to each other (not scroll through / stare at your phone!), plan a holiday.. enjoy one another's company.
Actually, we did have 'Hygge' at some point in our lives, like class gatherings, BBQ / chalets with your classmates. Those were carefree-er days. It's just that sometimes we forget all these in the paperchase.. So let's just bring it back! :)
(I kid you not, I still wanna go live in Denmark.)
Some cool Hygge books and blogs I came across:
The little book of Hygge, Meik Wiking
May I say this is the cult book of Hygge. Perhaps many started their Hygge journey with this book.
Read this blog for an introduction:
https://hellohygge.com/2016/09/13/hygge-and-happiness-with-meik-wiking/
The year of living Danishly, Helen Russell
A UK journalist moves to rural Jutland, Denmark, with her husband, and this is her month-by-month take on living in Denmark. It's humorous and lighthearted, started me on my Hygge journey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1RXGltx4SI
Hygge, Charlotte Abrahams
A how-to guide on Hygge: design, living and soul.
Fika and Hygge, Bronte Aurell
A recipe book of Danish and Swedish recipes, of course! Lots of butter and sugar.
The list above is by no means prescriptive, just happened to be those available to me. Other Hygge books here.
What Hygge really looks like, Hygge House
http://hyggehouse.com/danish-life/hygge-really-looks-like
Living Hygge, Hygge House
http://hyggehouse.com/everyday/living-hygge
Happiness Research Institute
https://www.happinessresearchinstitute.com/
Forget Hygge, Lykke is the new buzzword
https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/forget-hygge-lykke-is-the-new-danish-buzzword-a3627416.html
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