I love finding out about new trends and one that seems to be gaining momentum in the UK right now is hygge. It is not a new thing though, it is in fact something that the Danes have been practicing for years. Hygge, pronounced HUE-gah, hasn’t got a direct translation but is more a description of a feeling and way of life. The closest way I can describe it is that feeling you get when the nights start to draw in, you have your cosy cardi on and are snuggled under a blanket watching Strictly Come Dancing. You got it? Yep, that is the feeling you want to create all the time.
Autumn is my favourite time of year and without realising it I have been practicing hygge every single year – I just need to learn how to take it beyond autumn so I can have that cosy feeling all year through. So, when I saw hygge posts popping up in my Pinterest feed I sat up and took notice – then I got hooked!
First of all I downloaded The Little Book of Hygge onto my kindle so I could read it when I am up in the night feeding Wills. I loved it immediately and after reading just a couple of pages I went and lit all of the candles in the house! More hygge already!
I then went shopping and got a little bit excited by the cushions and blankets in Asda. I do love a scatter cushion though, don’t you? Here is a little video showing you what I bought…
I came across this fab post the other day and immediately ordered The Art of Hygge as a result. I almost bought it for my kindle but then it is much more hyggelig to have a book you can hold and feel. It is so lovely, just flicking through the pages makes me feel inspired to make my home cosy and welcoming.
I thought I would share everything I have learned so far so you can make your home more hyggelig too!
So how can you bring hygge into your life?
Light candles
This seems to be the most important thing. It seems if you don’t have the correct lighting you cannot have hygge. I have to say, as soon as I light a candle or two I do feel a sense of calm and cosiness. It doesn’t have to be all about the candles, you can have lamps as long as they give off a warm glow- you just want to avoid harsh bright lights.
Cosy up your home
You’ll notice from my video above that I bought new cushions and a fluffy throw. Adding texture automatically makes a room feel cosy doesn’t it? Something the books suggest is creating a nook, a hyggekrog, with cushions and blankets so that you can snuggle up and read a book. I am yet to find anywhere in our house that would be suitable!
Other ways to create cosiness is to bring nature inside – have plenty of fresh flowers, going on a leaf hunt, arrange pinecones on your window sill – anything that you find beautiful. Wooden objects are something we have always collected but they have been in storage since we moved here- I am going to dig them out and place them around the home as they are all beautiful.
If you own books, display them! I would love a bookcase in our living room but we don’t have the room. We have one in our garage conversion though and I am going to make a real feature of it!
Be comfortable
Clothes can also be hyggelig – think how much you love your cosy knits! So dig out your scarves and get yourself some woolly socks. The idea is to have comfy clothes that you can relax in. Loungewear doesn’t have to be frumpy, you just have to get the look right. I want to get myself an oversized woolly jumper to wear with leggings and woolly socks! I just need a nook to sit in (and a few child free hours haha!!).
Want to hear some good news? Mum buns are totally hyggelig!! Hurrah!! Apparently it is the most common ‘do’ in Denmark and I can see why. On days when I am at home, with nothing to do, I just throw it up in a bun and I don’t care what I look like – that is me in my most relaxed state.
Be more present
We live in a digital age, one of mobile phone, tvs and laptops. It is so easy to get lost in social media, to neglect each other, and it needs to stop. I want to introduce a no tech day in our family – I think I might make it Sundays. I want to spend the day playing board games, going for long walks, doing things together without distraction.
Indulge in the simple things
I really like this one – it basically says to indulge in those things that you may normally deny yourself. For me it would be cheese and chocolate!! I do believe in everything in moderation though so having a little will stop me craving more and it will make me happy. It is all about being happy.
It isn’t just about allowing the things you’d normally deny, but also making time for things that normally get forgotten. I hardly ever wear perfume as I can’t be bothered to spend the 2 extra seconds finding one for the day. I love it though and I am going to make the time to spritz myself every single morning!
Hygge together
I have a dream, one of a big family that I can mother – a bit like mother hen. I want to be able to have everyone around for lunch and welcome them all with big hugs. To me that is hygge – sharing the love and giving of yourself. Christmas is the ultimate isn’t it? Family coming together to share in the joy, to indulge in the little things while sitting around the fire. I just love it!
It is said that hygge is best shared in a small group of people, of 3-4 friends. I need to organise a night with friends actually, get them round for some food and a cosy evening. I love cooking for other people and the process of getting everything ready. Some people find hosting stressful but I am always in my element!
Be thankful
If you read my blog regularly you’ll know I share a weekly happy list. It is so important to be thankful for the little things, to see the happy in every day no matter how small. I have heard a few people talking about gratitude journals and I think I am going to ask for one for Christmas. Physically writing it down on paper is so therapeutic.
Wills likes my new cushions!
So that is everything I have learned so far. I am loving it as my home is already looking much more cosy and I am making plans to bring more hygge into my life. The Danes are said to be the happiest people in Europe – I want to join them don’t you?
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