Another year and another happiness obsession. Last year its was the Japanese art of tidying, this year its Hygge, the danish concept of gaining pleasure from the simplicity in life. As a society, especially an internet one, we are pretty obsessed with the Scandinavian way of living, from Ikea to style minimalism. But Hygge seems pretty obvious when you think about it, after all the Danes are the happiest people on earth, apparently. So, what is it and how do we achieve this state of enlightenment?
Hygge was shortlisted for the 2016 Oxford Dictionary Word of the Year and can be defined as “a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” Sounds pretty good, hey? Scandinavian cosiness is making inroads in the international market, with a tonne of books on it being published from cooking Scandi style to colour pallets for the home. But really, its just about savouring pleasure in the most simply parts of life, the little joys of your own favourite things (*cue Raindrop on Roses, Maria and the Von Trapp kids).
Winter is the perfect hygge season as its all about cosiness and being curled up indoors. It’s candles and cashmere socks while reading wrapped up in a blanket by a warming fire. There is hot chocolate and fresh brewed coffee waiting on the kitchen bench next to cinnamon and cardamon buns. The Scandinavian mulled triple cherry wine gløgg, cardamom pods and star anise is healthy hedonism. How can you be unhappy when surrounded by knitted textiles, blond wood and sheepskin rugs? This all sounds delightful I’m sure and conjures up some wonderful images of pure bliss but this all seems pretty easy when snowed in by 3 metres of drift.
To the sun loving Australian, Hygge may come off sounding rather smug, like other Scandi institutions. Perhaps, the Scandinavians are better able to appreciate the small things in life because they have all the big this nailed down; free university education, paid family leave, social security, health care and now talks on paid sex breaks. Hygge is also an impossibly Scandinavian concept of balance and harmony that related to the Swedish term Lagom; moderation and adequacy. This harmony of balance and equality is a national psyche that encourages team work and modesty. Lagom can be the response to both how much milk you want in you tea and how one runs a country.
However, with winter round the corner and a lot of free time on my hands, I am willing to give this Hygge a go. I am already a big believer in hours spent reading in the morning sun while still lying in bed with a pastry so I might be half way there. The idea, I think, is not to be lazy and stop work but to enjoy the little moments and recognise them for what they are. Here are some things I’ll be trying, and maybe you can too!
Adding a little Danish happiness to you life
- Light lots of candles, fairy lights and soft lighting
- Binge watch a new TV show curled up in a blanket
- Take a break for coffee and cake
- Leave for work early and enjoy a walk in the park
- Create a hyggekrog – a cosy corner with blankets and lots of pillows for reading
- Turn off your technology for 24 hours and enjoy reading un-distractedly.
- Enjoy warm beverages while wearing cashmere jumpers and knitted socks.
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