How To Embrace Living A Hygge Life

Have you heard of Hygge? (Pronounced “HUE-gah”)

If not, you should. It’s a way of life that, more and more, I’ve been intrigued by and trying to embrace. After all, it’s what the Danish attribute as a main reason behind them being among the happiest people in the world. 

What, exactly, is Hygge?

I did some digging and here’s what I learned.

From what I’ve gathered, hygge is a feeling more than a set, defined word. There’s not really a direct translation for the word hygge – it’s essentially a bunch of words summed into one. Words like “warm”, “cozy”, and “intimate”. It’s embracing togetherness and enjoying time spent with the people around you. 

At its core, hygge is leisure time spent together. It’s present during any season, and is something that is always being strived for by the Danish. It’s life’s little pleasures. How they’re brought to life is as individual as you or I. It’s contentment. Good vibes. Well being. Feeling happy to the core when you look at your surroundings. Surrounding yourself with people who make you smile and lift you up.

I was curious as to how the Danish themselves describe Hygge, and here’s what I found: “‘Hygge during winter could involve that cuddly feeling in front of a fireplace after a day at the Christmas market on a cold snowy day. During spring and summer, actually whenever the sun is out, “hygge” involves gatherings in parks, by the beach, or in sidewalk cafés. Hygge is something Danes strive for, at all times, no questions asked, in quaint little pubs and cafés or during softly lit dinners with family and friends.”

All of this sounds like something we all could embrace a heck of a lot more, right?

When I think about what hygge means for me, many things fill my mind.

It’s laying on the couch with Doug with a glass of wine, talking about our days. Pancake Saturdays in our home, complete with a warm pot of coffee brewing. A night in with our best friends, playing games or talking for hours. Gracie and Josephine hugs. The look and feel of a clean home, made even better by the soft scent of candles. Cuddling up and reading a book. The season’s first snow fall. Conversations with my parents. Summer days on the lake and bonfires at night. The sound of rain on the windowsill.

I think the Danish are onto something with this one. Why not have a word devoted to the little pleasures in life? Why shouldn’t we prioritize and seek those moments, every day, no matter how small? Life is about those seemingly small, every day moments after all.

I talked recently about how I’ve been focused on simplification of life, and this year I’m continuing to embrace this. To me, at the core of simplification is slowing down. Appreciating the little moments, in the moment. When you marry this with hygge — leisure time being together — I often wonder if that’s life’s secret to being truly content and happy.

Had you heard of hygge before? What are the little moments in your life that define the word for you?