Embracing A Season of Hygge

Hygge is a Danish term that means a quality of life that incorporates cozy, comfy, and contentment while living in the present moment. I was introduced to this term a couple of years ago and love practicing hygge (hoo-ga) during the Autumn and Winter months. When the Fall comes, it reminds us to slow down and live life at a steady pace. Hygge is a perfect lifestyle to embrace when you desire more coziness, comfort, and enjoyment with family, friends, or yourself.

Below I am sharing a list of ways you can implement the concept of Hygge in your daily life.

1. Take a day off, stay in bed and watch your favorite shows on Netflix, Amazon Prime Etc.
2. Make a nice breakfast before you go to work and sit down to eat it.
3. Buy lowlights to place in your bedroom and enjoy the ambiance.
4. Drink your favorite beverage whether in the morning or evening.
5. Pick a weekend to do a book marathon and read your favorite book all day.
6. Spend time collaging in your favorite notebook.
7. Spend some family time with the ones you love.
8. Invite your friends over and have a game night (intimate setting of no more than 2 friends).
9. Cook your favorite dish and savor every bite.
10. Buy a blanket/throw that represents your personality.
11. Take a walk in nature.
12. No social media for a week.
13. Take a Monday or Friday off from work
14. Write a list of ten things you are grateful for.
15. Write in your journal.
16. Play dress up with clothes in your closet (try to recreate different outfits).
17. Listen to complete silence in your room.
18. Buy your favorite candles and light them.
19. Have a spa day at home.
20. Take yourself out on a solo date.

Keys To A Cozy Simple Life

You can listen to this podcast episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdLuB-3v5bg

As the year 2020 is coming to an end, we are spending time preparing ourselves for Christmas and the New Year. We are taking time to slow down, reflect, and review this unusual year. The year 2020 has served us with unforgettable moments that we desire to bury, but we realize embracing a simple cozy life for 2021 may be the cure.

When I went to the dictionary, the word simple is defined as easily understood or done, presenting no difficulty. I think we can all agree 2020 had enough problems to serve us a lifetime of discomfort. However, when life gives us uncomfortable moments, we know that ease is on the way. And finding ways to live a comfortable, simple life can bring us peace, joy, and gratitude.

Below I am giving five essentials ways to begin to live a better life by embracing the Danish concept of Hygge; less is more and other essential elements to living a comfortable, simple life.

• Embrace a Hygge Life: In 2017, I stumble upon the Danish phrase hygge (pronounce hoo-ga) and it change my life especially during the holiday season. I began to research this concept and found a book by Louisa Thomsen Brits called The Book of Hygge . The book help me unlock the idea of creating a slower life filled with contentment.

• Practice Gratitude: When you are grateful for what you have you will realize how abundant you are. (book reference: The Magic by Rhonda Byrne)
• Set Boundaries: Know what you will & will not accept then make adjustments. Setting boundaries will give you a peace of mind.
• Be okay with pivoting: When things don’t go as plan you have to learn how to adjust and go in a different direction. Pivoting teaches you the art of moving forward despite the circumstances.
• Simplify to uncomplicate: Get clear on who you want to be, where you want to be and how you want to feel in your life. Then add, subtract and multiply all the necessary elements to uncomplicate your relationships & life.

When you embrace these five concepts, I believe you will start to move towards a cozy simple life!

Hygge for the Holidays…..

Slowing down……such a foreign concept to me for several years until I settled down in the south. As a single mom slowing down is a challenge everyday because there is always something to do on the checklist. However, in the last two years I have been challenged to slow down and really embrace the present moment. The present moment is crystallized by focusing on the now. The “now” moments are the moments we can never gain back. If this is true, then why do we rush through one event to the next?

Lately, I have been intrigued with going a lot slower in my everyday life. It has made a big difference in my mindset. Although, the holidays are here I am truly embracing slow motion. In my pursuit of this new lifestyle I have came across the word hygge (hoo-gah) practiced by the Danish culture. This lifestyle is a Danish concept that has been popping up everywhere I go. I can’t remember exactly where I heard it but I have been researching a little deeper about this concept. For a long time there was no formal definition for this word however, more Americans have become aware of this concept.

The holidays is great time to practice this Danish concept especially since Thanksgiving and Christmas is right around the corner. I don’t believe in putting concepts in a box so you have the power to rearrange it the way it fits your life. For example, hygge to me is drinking hot cocoa, tea or wine during the winter months, watching a movie, reading a book and spending some quality time with my daughter.

No matter what concept, tradition or non-tradition you practice slowing down and enjoying the moment should be apart of your daily regiment.

Here is a book I am currently reading check it out in Stylicia’s Reads.