It’s been an end to a disappointing spring season.
If you’re from the New England region, specifically Maine, you can agree that this past spring wasn’t so stellar. In Portland (on the first official day of summer) the high was 77° in the morning , but then abruptly dropped to the low 60’s. I wore a sweater all day.
Maybe that’s why my thoughts have wandered to hygge.
You know, hygge (pronounced “HOO-gah”). It’s a Scandinavian concept that has been sweeping Pintrest, Instagram, and Twitter (420 tweets on the topic so far today). As ConsciousWorks puts it, “Hygge is a feeling closely tied to being relaxed, happy, content and at peace with oneself. It is the absence of all pretense and worry.” Usually it is associated with a feeling of coziness and warmth.
Hygge concepts can help us sustain long winters. Supposedly it is the secret to the health benefits and well-being for peoples of Scandanavian countries.
The Paleo lifestyle and hygge have a lot in common.
Ok, well minus the cocoa and cookies prominent in hygge posts, both schools of thought focus on people reconnecting to the basics, which in turn, promotes happiness. As you know, it seems that in our modern world we are losing the most fundamental connections. So switch off those electric lights, set up the candles, invite some friends over for some comforting (yet healthy) food, and light the fire.
Well, it might be a little warm to start a fire…
Right-maybe it’s not that cold out, but the concept of hygge applies to the summer too. In a couple of weeks, I think all of the members of the ENG 304 class should indulge in some hygge practices. This is how you can start:
- Plant some colorful flowers
- Go on a picnic
- Eat on the patio (turn on the string lights)
- Invite friends over for a bonfire-options for entertainment abound
- start a ukalele led sing-along
- stargaze
- make s’mores
- have a read aloud session (our family usually breaks out The Princess Bride)
Hygge may not be for everyone; there are skeptics.
Olivia Petter, British lifestyle writer, warns people not to be caught up in a trend like hygge. She states that people should observe at the happiest individuals they know and try to understand why they are so content, versus following a set of rules. Laura Byager, a journalist for Mashable, brings up the point that the popularity of hygge is marring the concept, making it a target of commercialism.
In my opinion, if the concept of hygge gets us thinking about slowing down and enjoying the simple things in life, then I’m all for it. I’m not buying extra candles and blankets; I’m just thinking about how I could make our daily experiences more enjoyable.
What are your thoughts? Do you think hygge is an overrated fad?
Have you ever tried any hygge practices, or are you already employing them? I’d like to know-post your reply below.
