Having never really been a big fan of winter, I would like to take a more holistic approach to my mood when the days are short and dark. I get by just fine when the winter season begins in December; the holidays and excitement of a new year boost my good mood into January.
Once the holiday high comes crashing down, I look for any bit of sanity. Sometimes, it looks like vacation planning, and sometimes, it is making sure I’m keeping to my fitness routine, but this year, I’m also adding do-nothing time. It’s time to assimilate a new attitude, which I call Comfy Cozy Are We. It is about embracing hygge.
Sure, getting out of dodge and staying healthy are important. I’m not giving up on those things; I’m learning to focus on the now, no matter what the day looks like. The Danish word hygge means “a cozy quality that makes a person feel content and comfortable” (“Hygge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster). I am focusing on a few things to embrace this quality in my home and my attitude.
Living Space
Last year, I changed my family room by painting the walls and trim and replacing the old large leather sectional with a smaller fabric (kid-friendly!) couch and a chaise lounge. I also removed some older furniture and decluttered the entire space. I added candles (many flameless ones), pictures, and paintings that had meaning to us, and now I have chunky blankets and pillows that work on the couch or even the floor. My goal was to be cozy at home.
I learned how to make my own chunky blankets, and we now have one in almost every room of the house! I took a class, but here is a link to Pinterest that shows you exactly how I make them. Being under one of the blankets has become my cozy, safe zone and gives me a huge sense of hygge.
I absolutely love my family room now! It’s amazing how much better the room feels just from decluttering and having less furniture. Adding scented candles or other home fragrances helps bring the hygge feeling to its best and increases the chances of inviting you to slow down. I want my kids to come home from school to a warm and welcoming haven of comfort.
Dealing With the Cold
How can I embrace hygge outside in the cold? After all, the words cozy and cold do not go well together. This is where spending time with loved ones comes in nicely. Participating in winter activities is better when you share it with your family, an important aspect of hygge. For us, this means ice skating, skiing, and snowshoeing. When the kids were smaller, I got out and took sled rides with them as much as possible.
The trouble for me comes when we have days of 40-degree clouds and with rain added in. Then what? Those must be the days spent indoors with the blankets, candles, and yummy food! I’m making it a priority to get outside all the other days.
Attitude Adjustment
Now, let’s move on to the mental aspect of hygge. This is where it gets more complicated. In a world of “go big or go home,” it’s often harder to learn to live simpler lives. My husband’s late grandfather once finished a conversation with the easy sentence, “There’s nothing wrong with a simple life.” It became ingrained in my head all those years ago and is an important concept I’m teaching my kids.
I started meditating a few years ago, for only ten minutes at a time, and if I get in three sessions a week, I’m happy about it. The simple act of slowing down my brain and practicing deep breathing (while not falling asleep!) has benefitted my mental health and hygge lifestyle vibes.
