Practicing Hygge

There is no direct translation for the Danish “hygge.” However the word comes from 16th century Scandinavia as a description of embracing and enjoying the winter months through coziness and togetherness. At Swan Valley Connections, we are feeling the need to practice hygge, rather than just hibernation, as we get dumped on with snow at the start of this winter season!

Hygge (pronounced hue-guh) is not just cozy, as in a fuzzy blanket and a glass of wine, but it is also interpersonally cozy, as in having a few people with you talking about issues and things you care deeply about. You may have some candles lit, and a nice, warm drink in your hand. It is a place of feeling safe and content. It is a word used when acknowledging a feeling or moment, whether alone or with friends, at home or out, ordinary or extraordinary as cozy, charming or special.

Our Scandinavian neighbors do not simply cope with the winter months but are dedicated to embracing and enjoying them. Many people live in tune with the seasons, participating in plenty of outdoor activities through all the seasons but in the winter, they then enjoy the benefits of indoor life. Spending time indoors with family and friends is considered equally important to their psychological wellbeing.

Hygge does not require learning “how to” or adopting it as a lifestyle or buying anything. Hygge is not a “thing.” You can’t buy a ‘hygge living room’ and there’s no ‘hygge foods’ to eat. Hygge literally only requires a conscious appreciation, a certain slowness, the ability to just be present and to recognize and enjoy the present. Hygge may be described as charm, happiness, contentedness, security, familiarity, comfort, reassurance, kinship and simple-ness.

To survive the cold, dark and sameness of winter, the feeling of Hygge was a way for Scandinavians to find moments to celebrate or acknowledge and to break up the day, months or years by creating simple rituals. With so many cold, dark, days the simple act of a candle glowing with a cup of coffee in the morning, brewing a cup of tea and pouring into a beautiful china cup or a home cooked evening meal with friends can make a huge difference to one’s spirit.

I’d like to start 2018 by incorporating hygge into my life and spread the idea to my friends and neighbors. In Montana, like our Scandinavian neighbors, we live in tune with the seasons. We are deeply connected to the land. We live in small communities and are connected to one another. We endure long, dark, snowy winters. We value our outdoor recreation opportunities in all seasons. But in winter, rather than hibernate, let’s hygge!

To me, this means that in my personal life I will practice incorporating gratitude for farmers and ranchers into my morning coffee ritual, and with each warm and beautiful meal I make. I will celebrate each new day with warmth as I light a fire in my wood stove and be grateful to live in the forest. I will light scented candles when I come home in the evening as a reminder that every day is a special occasion.

And in my professional life, I will bring hygge to my community by planning a monthly potluck. A time to bring us all together to talk about things that are important to us. A time to share good food, and drink. A time to learn from one another, and connect more deeply to each other and this place. A time for singing, playing music, dancing and just enjoying.

I think that what we miss by hibernating all winter is that connection to one another. I feel like once a month, I can tear myself away from reading in front of the fire, snuggling on the couch with my dogs and being wrapped in a blanket. I hope you will as well. On the first Wednesday of the month, I’m looking forward to practicing hygge with you!