How do you hygge?
You may not realize it yet, but we could all use a little more hygge in our lives. Hygge is challenging to pronounce (hue-gah), and even more difficult to define, but I hope by the time you finish reading this post, you will recognize the hygge in your life and have a plan for increasing it.
What is hygge?
Hygge is a Danish word with no exact English translation. It can be loosely described as taking pleasure in soothing things, an absence of annoyance, and a feeling of intimacy. One of my favorite descriptions is “coziness of the soul.”
Your favorite socks are hygge. Curling up in front of the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate while a storm rages outside is hygge. Watching your favorite movie with loved ones (for the hundredth time) is hygge. You get the general idea.
Still, if I can’t even precisely describe hygge, why should you take my word that it’s so important? Well, Denmark consistently ranks among the happiest nations in the world, and it’s important to them. Denmark even has a Happiness Research Institute. The CEO of that institute, Meik Wiking, studies happiness for a living and wrote The Little Book of Hygge. After reading the book, I believe hygge just may hold the secrets to happy living.
The Hygge Manifesto
Wiking put the key components of hygge into a Hygge Manifesto. I’m going to copy the manifesto straight from his book and hope he’ll forgive me in the interest of spreading the word on hygge and happiness.
- Atmosphere: Turn down the lights. (Preferably light a candle.)
- Presence: Be here now. Turn off the phones.
- Pleasure: Coffee, chocolate, cookies, cakes, candy. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
- Equality: “We over me.” Share the tasks and the airtime.
- Gratitude: Take it in. This might be as good as it gets.
- Harmony: It’s not a competition. We already like you. There is no need to brag about your achievements.
- Comfort: Get comfy. Take a break. It’s all about relaxation.
- Truce: No drama. Let’s discuss politics another day.
- Togetherness: Build relationships and narratives. “Do you remember the time we…”
- Shelter: This is your tribe. This is the place of peace and security.
A sense of hygge
Even if hygge is an abstract concept, Wiking says we can detect it with our senses.
- How does hygge taste? Something familiar, sweet, and comforting.
- How does hygge sound? The absence of noise, which allows you to hear quiet sounds like raindrops, wind blowing, creaking wood, or the click of knitting needles.
- How does hygge smell? Secure and comforting. Any smell that reminds you of a time when you felt completely safe, like the smell of cooking or a favorite blanket.
- How does hygge feel? Comfortable. Old homemade things are more hygge than new store-bought items.
- How does hygge look? Dim, rustic, and slow. Some examples are gently falling snow or lazy, dancing flames of a fire.
- The sixth sense of hygge: Feeling safe; the gut feeling of trusting the ones you are with and where you are.
Hygge emergency kit
So, assuming you are now sold on the idea of increasing the hygge in your life, where do you start? How about with a hygge emergency kit. Fill a box, cupboard or suitcase with the essentials. Only you know what should go in your kit, but here is some inspiration from The Little Book of Hygge.
- Candles
- Good quality chocolate
- Your favorite tea
- Your favorite book
- Your favorite film or television series
- Jam (preferably homemade)
- A good pair of woolen socks
- A selection of your favorite letters (printed emails will do in a pinch)
- A warm sweater
- A notebook (a hygge journal, if you will, to write down your favorite hyggelige moments)
- A nice blanket
- Paper and pen (for writing handwritten letters to your loved ones)
- Music
- A photo album
Your turn
- How do you hygge?
- What’s one thing you would put in your hygge emergency kit?
- Would you like a copy of The Little Book of Hygge? The first three people who respond “yes,” will receive a copy from me.
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What a cool concept! I like the idea of those comfortable moments/feelings being purposeful.
And “yes”, I would love to read that book… But I know I have managed to win a lot of your giveaways, so if you do 3 other people, that’s ok with me.
If it were possible, I would put cookie dough ice cream in my hygge kit. Kevin and I love to snuggle under a cozy blanket and eat ice cream together, and it’s my favorite!
But if I were putting something else/different in a hygge kit, I would maybe choose photos of my loved ones.
Love you!
Oh, I love the idea of a photo album in your hygge kit, and I think you could put a spoon and your favorite bowl in your kit and keep the ice cream in the freezer. Even better if you made the ceramic bowl yourself! 🙂 You are first to request the book, so of course, you get a book. Have a hyggeligt day!
Thanks, Christie! Love you! And I love the idea of a handmade bowl in a hygge kit!
Ah, I love all things hygge! Still trying to get there. Digging out from a lot of clutter!
Hello Marya and welcome! It sounds like you need a hygge emergency kit, so you can escape for a break once in a while. 🙂
Hi Christie! I only heard the term ‘hygge’ earlier this year. I focussed more on the physical side but I do like the idea of the Sense of Hygge and you also have covered everything in your list – love it! Have a beautiful day and thanks for the idea.
Thanks Sue. I love the concept of hygge and consciously incorporating those small joys into your everyday life.
I’ve read about it a few times and like the concept. My hygge kit would definitely contain my plush throw. I’ve been known to even have it out in the summer for running my feet over – not for the warmth, but for the feel. Winter, I’m wrapped up in it! For me, hygge is strongly about touch and space. Comfortable and secure…as I sit here listening to the rain on the roof!
A favorite blanket is definitely hygge. I can almost feel the blanket on my feet. And, in fact, it’s raining a little here now. Have a wonderful hyggeligt weekend.
Thank you for sharing the Manifesto Christie! I love the concept too – I don’t think I’ve used an overhead light in years, much preferring lamplight. I have throws on every piece of furniture and I have my tunes, and playlists, always at the ready!
That sounds very hyggeligt Agnes. We have some harsh overhead lights at our house, and they definitely need to go. The throws and music sound lovely. Enjoy!
I’ve seen the term for several months now, but I had no idea how to pronounce it or what it meant 🙂 I plan to pin this informative post in the hopes of adding more hygge to my daily life.
I had never heard it until they gave out copies of the book in a conference. It struck a chord with me immediately. Good luck with your hygge venture. I’m doing the same.
I’ve read about hygge before and I’m all for it! A comfy throw to snuggle under on a cold evening, a great book, and perhaps a warm adult beverage – wait, why am I thinking about winter things when it’s summer? – would definitely be in my emergency kit.
That is a lovely winter hygge kit. In the book I read, he talks about hygge being big in the cold, dark winter, so maybe you’ve got something there. Still, maybe you should have an alternate summer kit too. Swap out the warm adult beverage for a cold one, a throw to sit on under your favorite shade tree, and keep the book. You’re set!
I’ve loved the concept of hygge from the moment I first saw it (on FB or Pinterest – probably both!) I have a couple of pairs of really soft “comfort pants” that I put on at home when it’s cold and I want to be really cosy – our cats love them….my husband – not so much! I always wear them when he’s away because it’s just the cats and me and hygge!
Thanks for linking up with us at #MLSTL and I’ve shared this on my SM xx
Leanne | Cresting the Hill
I have my comfy clothes too–sweat pants for winter and some equally “attractive” shorts for the summer. I don’t have a cat, but I do have a dog that snuggles up next to me. Thanks for #MLSTL and for sharing!
I loved reading this Christie and haven’t heard of hygge until now. Now I’ve read what it is, I need to give it some thought. Shared on SM #MLSTL
It’s a lovely concept that is new to me as well. I love the idea of consciously generating these hygge moments.
Yes I would love to read this book. I first heard of hygge a few months ago from another blog. I am not sure what I would put in my emergency kit, I will need to think about that.
I’ll send you the book Victoria, and that may help you decide what fits best in your hygge kit. It’s an easy and enlightening read. I hope you enjoy it. Please FB message me your mailing address.
COMFORT!!!! I love it…I looked at the book at Amazon but would love to find a short (compact size) for the guest bath (great reading). Thanks so much for sharing this!
#MLSTL visitor (shared on SM)
Thanks Donna. You are number three that said she would like the book, so I’d be happy to send you a copy (though it won’t be a compact version). Please FB message your mailing address to me. Happy hygge!
I’m reading a book called “The Little Book of Lykke: Secrets of the World’s Happiest People.” It’s a follow up the the Hygge Book. Loving it and highly recommend.
Great. Thanks for the info, Leah. I’ll check it out.
I just love this concept! I read about hygge a year or so ago and have been enamored with it ever since. I think of it as a feeling that is almost indescribable, although I love, “coziness of the soul.” I would have to put my beautiful, cuddly, purring cat onto my hygge list!
A beloved cat would definitely be hygge. We have a dog, and it’s very soothing to stroke his fur when he lays on the couch next to me. I think it’s hygge for him too. I hope you have a wonderful, hyggeligt weekend!
I’ve been hygge-ing for a while now and I particularly love soft cushions, a throw rug to snuggle up in, perfumed candles and/or burning essential oils, soft lighting and maybe best of all – comfy pyjamas! But I also find hygge in nature. Sharing this
I’m glad to hear you’ve been getting your hygge on for a while now, Jan. All of those things sound truly hygge to me also. I might add a good book or a sleepy grandchild to snuggle. Thanks for sharing and have a hyggeligt weekend!
Well, I’ve never heard of Hygge and this post was just what I needed to read. I just came inside from hygge-ing. 🙂 I like to take a hot cup of tea outside and sit in the patio as the sun goes down. It was a beautiful 79 degree day today after may high 90 days in a row.
I’ll be sharing this for #MLSTL, Christie.
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I’m glad you enjoyed it Mary Lou. We’ve had a string of warm days here too. Here’s hoping it cools off soon!
I am a big fan of Hygge! I practice it on my days off with a book, candles, herbal tea in a special chair in my craft room! Hygge!
Good morning Amanda and welcome!Your hygge sounds lovely. Good for you!
I love this and it’s the first time hearing of hygge! It kinda sounds like what I do to cope with my health issues. Going now to look for the book on Amazon. Shared x 4 ♥
I’d be happy to send you a copy, if you haven’t bought one already!