Welcome to the Hygge Life
by Alisa Stamps, MSS, LCSW
photo by Joanna Kosinska for unsplash
The practice of finding simplicity in the early dark
It’s a hygge sort-of day here in the chilly Northeast. Don’t know what hygge is or means? That’s okay, we’ll get to the definition and origin in a moment.
But back to the weather. It’s cold, windy, and gray. That’s usual for us in the Northeast as we head from the glorious spectrum of autumn colors, through the twinkling lights of the holiday season, into the New Year ahead.
The New Year. The holidays. What happens for you when thinking about the marathon that is Thanksgiving through January 1st all blurred into one? Do you get excited? Do you feel exceptionally stressed? Do the holidays bring up family strain or feelings of excess? Do you wish it would all be over quickly, and then feel badly about not having been present in the moment?
As a psychotherapist, I firmly believe that January through April are the hardest months for people. Barren trees, relentless overcast skies, and early dark, endless nights can make the fog of depression seem even thicker. But the holidays have their difficulties too. Add to that recovering from a pandemic, wars, politics, and current events in general, all while we watch the world and long for easier, earlier times.
“Hygge is about embracing the simple idea that all that matters is what is in this moment.”
Enter hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”), a word that originates from Norway and means “well-being”. According to, The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living, hygge has been called everything from, “the art of creating intimacy, the coziness of the soul, taking pleasure from the presence of soothing things, and cocoa by the candlelight.”
“Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience, rather than about things. It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe, that we are shielded from the world and allow ourselves to let our guard down. You may be having an endless conversation about the small or big things in life—or just be comfortable in each other’s silent company—or simply just be by yourself enjoying a cup of tea.” (Pg. vi)
The Danish are definitely onto something. Denmark is consistently ranked as one of the happiest places in the world to live, despite their weather often being rainy, cold and gray. Instead of seeing the season as dreary, they have embraced the art of coziness and internalized the idea that even in the darkest of times, there can be light and love.
The word “simplicity” comes to mind as
I think about the polarity between darkness and light. What does this mean, to simplify? Will simplicity offer us more balance, more contentment? The obvious answer is yes, but how do we do this? Perhaps the five dimensions of hygge can help…
5 Dimensions of Hygge
Taste
Look to food and drinks that are familiar, sweet, and comforting. Try adding honey to your tea or icing to your cake.
Sound
Remove distracting sounds so you can hear things like the crackling of burning wood or the clicking of someone’s knitting needles. Let your hygge playlist feature the sounds of a warm, safe environment.
Smell
Enjoy smells that remind you of being cared for, evoke a feeling of safety, and take you back to a less-complicated time. Try cooking something your grandmother made, or buy flowers that remind you of a childhood garden.
Feel
Take the opportunity to touch anything old or hand-crafted that you can run your fingers across Hold a warm, ceramic mug or a rustic, imperfect surface).
Sight
Watch slow movements in a dim light. Watch snowflakes fall or enjoy the flickering flames of an open fire.
Hygge is about grounding in the present. It’s about settling into the Here and Now and using it like a blanket or a pair of woolen socks. For instance, you can light candles or the tree, rather than put on overhead lights; turn off all the background noise and enjoy the silence. Maybe you want to grab a book rather than reach for the screens. Or try creating experiences instead of accumulating more things.
Hygge is about embracing the simple idea that all that matters is what is in this moment. It’s about using the darkness while the earth sleeps so you can rest and be renewed. It makes it easier to awaken again once spring rolls around. In this complicated, complex world—especially during the holidays—perhaps a little hygge could go a long way.
This post contains an affiliate link. This won’t cost you anything but it helps us offset the cost of writing and production so we can deliver the best content possible. Thank you for your support!
