Hygge at Home

I'm happy that you came over!

Yesterday, I waxed poetic about a Nordic concept called HYGGE.

Hygge is being cozy, feeling safe, and taking pleasure in the simple things in life. And in this hectic and chaotic world we live in, who doesn't want that?

I've fallen in love with HYGGE and here's how I've added it to my life:

Homes are the HYGGE headquarters. So I made myself a hyggerkrog or "a place in the room where you come to snuggle up with a blanket, with a book and a cup of tea."

Mine is a little corner with a sleek reading light, a side table, a comfortable chair that my husband and I bought when we were newly married, and a recently purchased ottoman. I "feathered the nest" with pillows and throws in neutral colors. 

This is where I start my day with meditation and prayer. At night, I love to sit here and read with only the reading light and a collection of candles:

It's said that, "there is no faster way to get HYGGE than to light a few candles". When they're lit, the glow and faint floral scent eases me into relaxation.

Being in nature, like going on hikes, is truly HYGGE. Bringing nature indoors is another option.  

I like browsing flea markets and I've taken home some vintage finds like these records that I listen to every now and then. It's affirming that this hobby of mine is considered HYGGE: "One can find everything one needs to create a lovely home in a vintage store, and the fact that all the things there have a history makes them even more interesting and hyggelig."

This blue cup and saucer are also a vintage find! I found it at the Country Living Fair. 

Treating yourself with cakes, pastries, chocolate, and comfort food are also high on the HYGGE list.

I also have my favorite things close by like books, photos, old letters and handmade crafts.

Because, really, HYGGE is making the most out of the moment and all its pleasures.

In case you want to learn more about HYGGE, here are a few books that I would recommend:

See you next week!

Hoopla Over Hygge

Hi Everyone! Have you heard of the word "hygge"? I first learned it early this year and read more about it from this book:

It's written by Meik Wiking who works at the Happiness Research Institute 
(I didn't know such organization existed and he must have a really satisfying job!).

"Hygge" is pronounced "Hoo-ga". It finds its origins in a Norwegian word that means "well-being". The other ways to desribe it:

• the art of creating intimacy
• coziness of the soul
• the absence of annoyance
• taking pleasure from the presence of everyday things
• cozy togetherness

It's about being with the people that we love. It's a feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe and sheltered from the world. It allows ourselves to let our guard down.

And here is how to achieve it:

With these descriptions alone, I'm all in. 

Tommorow I'll show you how I've incorporated hygge into my life. See ya then!

An Ode to Flea Markets

The thrill of the hunt.

That's the reason I love flea markets and thrift stores.

Sure, they can be viewed as other's people junk.

But one woman's trash is another woman's treasure.

And the nostalgia...

A reminder of a simpler time.

There are also a load of useful notions for sewing and crafting.

And items that can be used for interior or graphic design.

Records...they never went away even in the age of digital downloads. 

And lots of china and pottery...very, very hygge!

Because the goods are unique in each market, this sign is a good reminder (no one wants to suffer long term regret). 

In every new place I visit, you know where to find me. See you there!

Making New Memories in 2022

Happy New Year Everyone!

I hope you are all feeling optimistic with renewed gratitude for new beginnings.

I serendipitously discovered the book "The Art of Making Memories" by Meik Wiking, the same author of "The Little Book of Hygge." It caught my attention because I value memories. Memories carry us through difficult times in our lives. Take for instance the Covid-19 pandemic. It wasn't safe for us to travel and clearly there was that desire for adventure. On social media, many people posted their travel photos from years past with wistful captions, "Hope to do this again soon" or "Can't wait to travel again." Nostalgia was one of the ways that helped us through lockdown. 

For those we lost during the pandemic, we look back on all the lovely memories we had with them and keep these in our hearts. 

Again, nostalgia. 

We should be more mindful about creating new memories and the book has these suggestions or what Meik Wiking calls, "The Memory Manifesto." 

These are the eight ingredients for happy memories:

Make sure your memory isn't lacking in sensory richness. Be aware of what you see, smell, hear and feel when you are happy. The more of your senses -- sight, smell, hearing, taste, touch -- you can use, the more vividly you can remember; and the more cues you line up, the more likely it is that you can hold on to that memory and retrieve it.

An emotional reaction will make the experiences and moments more memorable: first kisses, getting married, traumatic events, doing something that scares us.

Retrieval is one of the best ways to strengthen a memory.

These are thoughtful suggestions and aren't hard to do, don't you agree?

Meik Wiking ends the book this way:

Let's turn this New Year from "blah to TADA!" and let's all make an effort to create lasting memories.