This Hygge time of Year

Hello Dear ones! How are you in this very hygge time of year? After the hustle and bustle of all the holidays of light, I wonder if you are, like me, in need of a little hygge.  I learned about Hygge (pronounced Hoo-ga) from Susan Branch, the wonderful author and artist who lives on Martha’s Vineyard. “I must have some of this marvelous philosophy in my life!”, I thought and went out and bought, The Little Book of Hygge. The author, Meik Wiking, who might have one of the best jobs in the world, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, describes a lifestyle that embodies coziness, which scandinavians seem to have perfected, possibly from living in so much darkness for 8 months of the year. Hygge is very helpful in dark or stressful times. Hygge is skiing with beloveds all day and then coming inside, lighting the fire, and cooking something wonderful together. It is candle light, roses growing up the side of a cottage, and tea with sisters, daughters, or friends. Find a sunny nook and curl up with a book! Enjoy a snow storm with some hot coco and a big pot of stew simmering on the stove:) Bookshelves filled with beloved books make my heart sing.

“Have nothing in your homes that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”                                                                                                                                                                      ~William Morris

During this quieter season, in which we tend to spend more time inside; think about what makes your surroundings cozy and lovely to you… that is Hygge and it will mean different things to different people. Living with attention to this kind of self nurturing is so very healthy for us all. We refresh and renew. We find time to love and appreciate the little things in Life. This bath of coziness floods away the chemical corrosion of stress and we are left in our natural state; filled with the peace that passes all understanding. Speaking of bathtubs, my dream is a claw foot tub in my bedroom overlooking the fireplace! One must dream, Hygge?!! Oh yes!

For now, I’ll light a candle. It can make anything wonderful, including doing the dishes:)