Unless you have been hiding under a rock for the last year or so (apparently Kevin has….) you will have come across the word ‘hygge’. If you’re like me and rebel against any trend that comes from nowhere and all of a sudden seems to be everywhere, then you may just have seen the word (alongside an image of a handsome person in thick woolly socks cuddling a warm cup of hot chocolate…see below…!!) and not thought about it any further. But the hygge phenomenon has done the rounds now and seems to have stuck, so I thought it was high time I found out more about it.
Understanding Hygge
‘Cosy’ is a word used a lot when trying to define or explain what hygge is and it’s used generously in home and style publications alongside winter interiors. But as we will see, there is far more to hygge than candles and throws. It’s been described as a Danish lifestyle philosophy, but goes even deeper and it has been said that it’s part of Danish DNA. Their lifestyle revolves around it and it can be found everywhere in Denmark, from a bike shop to a laundrette (which, in keeping with Danish traditions, both serve good coffee and pastries).
In Denmark, hygge (pronounced, hoo-ga which sounds like cougar..??!)) is ever present and is a way of life. But in countries less familiar with it, everything hygge is usually rolled out in the autumn months as winter approaches. I’m guessing this is because a lot of hygge traditions are to do with being cosy and involve candlelight, fire side hot chocolates, warm woollens and ‘snugness’ which is how the Danes make the best of their long, cold winters.
Hygge is about being contented. It’s about having time to unwind. Enjoying a slower pace of life, taking pleasure in the moment and in the simple things that life has to offer. It sounds like there are certain similarities with the concept of mindfulness but perhaps without some of the formality, concentration and solitude that’s often associated with mindfulness practice.
Hygge is often experienced with a small group of close friends or family but equally can be found when alone with a good book perhaps. I have seen it described as the contentment one finds when there is little that needs to be done, and you can simply relax and find peace in the things that you do decide to do.
Some of the things that personify hygge in Denmark include: atmospheric lighting – particularly candlelight and LOTS of fairy lights after dark; chunky knits including jumpers, socks, throws and cushions; comfort food – think warming stews and informal shared meals; treats like pastries, sweets and confectionary; warm or indulgent drinks like hot chocolate, mulled wine or just wine…; roaring fires and isolated log cabins where you can just ‘be’.
To an outsider looking in, there is definitely something luxurious and indulgent about hygge, yet there is a rustic edge to it. It’s not pretentious, blingy or showy…but a gentle, nurturing and almost soothing ‘blanket’ drawn gently over everything where natural fabrics like fur, leather and wool rule, colours are soft and the tone is safe and inviting.
What is Definitely NOT Hygge
In trying to understand more about what hygge is, it’s also useful to understand what it is not. It is not about technology or gadgets. Mobile phones and video games are out although TV is acceptable if you’re watching a relaxing movie with your friends. Watching a football match would be considered too ‘excitable’ and heated discussions involving controversial topics like politics or the global economy are also a no-no. The idea is, to leave baggage and personal agenda at the door before enjoying a hygge experience and simply connect with those you feel comfortable with in an easy, warm and familiar atmosphere.
Big gatherings and loud parties would generally not be hygge, and adrenaline sports or highly competitive activities are out too. A strange one though…. family board games are definitely considered hygge in Denmark. I don’t know about you, but there is nothing peaceful or relaxing about board games in our family…….. There is usually high drama, sometimes tears and perhaps oaths never to play again due to unfair treatment or cheating…. Not hygge.
The lesson here….?? There is no specific formula or direct translation of this Danish culture that you can overwrite into your own life to magically achieve the sought after ‘contented state’ that is portrayed in the glossy magazines. And honestly…why would you want to..?? Hygge is Danish and they do it beautifully, so my advice is to embrace your uniqueness, kick back and simply…relax doing the things that you enjoy.
You might be surprised to hear that the Danes also do hygge in the summer (there are fewer woolly socks and hot chocolates) and it seems that there is lots of overlap with what we in New Zealand might be enjoying…. so check out our list of Kiwi ‘hygge’.
Kiwi ‘Hygge’ in the Sun….
1. Head to the beach for a peaceful walk or a picnic with friends
2. Gather a few friends together at your place for an informal barbecue
3. Cook marshmallows on a campfire
4. Share a bottle of good kiwi sav with a friend
5. Head to a local market for food, friendly banter and browsing
6. Relax on the deck or the lawn with a chilled glass of water/wine and a good book
7. Go fruit picking
8. Tinker in the vegetable patch and enjoy the harvest with friends
9. Go for a short bush walk breathing in the sounds and smells of nature
10. Sleep under the stars
11. Gather round a camp fire or chimnea after dark and enjoy conversation and wine with your friends
12. Make an outside retreat for drinks after dark using candles, cushions, throws and rugs
13. Go for a leisurely bike ride
14. Go to an outdoor cinema screening with your friends
Fun Facts about Hygge
- Hygge has been listed as the ‘word of the year’ by the Oxford English Dictionary alongside Brexit.
- Social Media loves it: there are close to 2.5m #hygge posts on instagram and on Pinterest, there has been a year on year increase of close to 300% in hygge themed pinning.
- Pinterest predicted that hygge will be one of the hottest home decor trends for 2017
- In 2016, the word hygge appeared in more than 200 pieces published in national newspapers in the UK (note that this excludes blogs and magazine articles which would take the count much higher…)
- 9 books were published about hygge in the UK in a single year
- The word hygge is used as a noun, verb and adjective in Denmark and pops up in lots of common phrases including ‘have hygge’ which is often used to say goodbye.
So…settle in. Get yourself some kiwi hygge planned for summer!!
