Hello! This is part 2 of a 3 part series, after the foundational article on Hygge. What a delightfully deep and complex topic! Last time, we went through some practical steps to figuring out what hygge means to you. I highly recommend that you go back and go through the questions, writing down and tallying your answers, since some of those will contribute to today’s topic: Hygge in your life!
When I created this blog, Home Life Purpose, it actually took me a really long time. I had to narrow down what I even thought I could or wanted to write about, and then I had to find a satisfying way to convey that. I can be a “fluff” person when it comes to small talk (anyone relate?), but I also know that sometimes you just have to say the meaningful words. You know? So, the “Life” part of this blog represents, to me, ways to help you live your life well. And hygge is one of the ways to really live life well.
By now, you should know that hygge (like creativity, come to think of it!) comes in many forms to many people but we all want to have some of it. We want to feel satisfaction and like there’s a safe, cozy place to retreat to.
And we want our retreats to be just our style. So maybe you’re thinking, okay, I’ve got the home hygge down pat, but what could she be talking about when it comes to anything else?
Stick with me here, as I believe where we are going with this is not always easy but absolutely necessary. Sometimes doing the hard work and asking unusual questions will get you to the places you wish you could go to, but don’t know how to get there. Let’s dive in to this one today!
Hygge As A Practical Life Habit
How can we apply “cozy” to “life”? After all, your life has to consist of a lot of elements, and not all of them are…comfortable. I’ve tried the “bury your head in the sand like an ostrich” approach, and trust me, that doesn’t increase your enjoyment of life. It might mask it-for awhile. But at some point you get to make a better choice. Choose wisely!
So, to help you avoid that method, I’ve come up with some ways to help you out. I am by no means a licensed therapist, doctor, or anything like that, so please don’t take this that way. Instead, I’m just an online friend who is here to help you with my own little perspective. Take a look and see what you think!
Steps To Add Hygge To Life’s Difficult Situations
- Acknowledge the situation
So much for the ostrich approach. Seriously, though, taking stock of even not-so-great situations gives you the perspective and, dare I venture to say, power, to accurately and usefully come up with solutions; can’t solve what you don’t know.
- Allow the feelings to be understood
I am absolutely no expert on this. But I do know that it’s an important step. You don’t have to love a situation, but you do need to know how you’re reacting, and why. If this is good (you’re ready to jump with joy!), awesome! But, if it’s painful, consider processing it with a trusted friend or find a great counselor or coach. Sometimes we just need someone with thoughts that are outside our own heads to help us out!
- Follow through with an action plan
Now that you’ve acknowledged what’s going on, and gotten outside help, you’re in a better position to make some steps. What could change or be improved? If there are “immoveable” elements, what else can give way?
Maybe you say, “I don’t have time to organize my house.” Well, I have discovered that you can achieve much in that area by little, incremental, small habits. So, try one new organizing habit. Put the dishes away right away, or sweep the floor every night. Just start somewhere!
- Find spaces of rest and hygge in the midst of it all
For those of you that read the Bible, I have a super favorite verse for this.
“Even during the plowing season and harvest, you must rest”.
Exodus 34:21 (NIV exerpt)
In other words, saying, “But I have so much to do” is not a good reason to not rest. And hygge definitely has an element of rest to it. In fact, maybe it’s the core of it, and maybe they are even interchangeable. Let me know what you think about that. I am still considering it.
Some of us struggle with rest all the time; others find it easy; but everyone might have a point they drop it, without well-made habits and intentional thinking during times of creation (plowing) or times of great rewards (harvest). Whether it’s a graduation, having a baby, or starting a business, “plowing” and “harvest” seasons are the most tempting to do “just a little bit more” (not kidding, I’m doing it right now, writing this article. Should totally take my own advice!…p.s. I did just that, actually, and here I am agian finishing this to you).
Anyway, you might have some parts of life that are totally NOT hygge. That’s okay. That’s life. But guess what? You still get those breathing spaces. You still get to find a flower, a sunrise, a smile, a book. There are areas of rhythm within your life to bring hygge in. And the neat thing about seasons is…they do pass. They do move on. It’s not always full of pressure. Take some of these steps and you’ll find more spaces for life hygge.
What Do I Do Next?
So, last time, we journaled about what hygge means to us. This time, will you give yourself the gift of five minutes, and journal the hard and soft areas of your current life? Add in the boring ones, too. Those can make up a “lost hard” portion, if there’s too much of it! Make a list or write a story in third person, or whatever suits you. Now take those hard places and think of what it would take to hygge alongside or with or before or after that life moment. Maybe you want to knit instead of stare at your phone at the doctor’s office while waiting for an appointment. Or you could listen to classical music on your commute instead of music with lyrics. I even had a drive with complete silence the other day. It was uncomfortable at first, and then glorious. Give it a try!
After you journal, give yourself one simple action step you can take this week to put hygge into your life. Maybe you need to download classical music or make a playlist. Maybe you need to buy some knitting yarn and a new pattern. Or get a new book that’s just for fun, not for education. I got some origami papers. That was fun!
Finally, stay accountable. Find a buddy or even a calendar. Schedule a time to look aback and see what you did or didn’t do. It’s an amazing feeling when you look back and see your personal progress!
If you decide to do these steps, will you be so kind as to let me know? It helps me so much to know that this article made a tangible difference in your life, and brought something better into it. Tag me on Facebook or Instagram with #homelifepurpose and #hygge. I’d love to see a photo of your hygge moments!
Finally, do please sign up for my newsletter, as that’s currently the place I’m most active-and it’s only once a month! See you there!