People who really know me well are still amazed at how different I am from a year and a half ago; mentally, they mean not so much physically, but that, too.
When I learned about hygge (hue-ga or hoo-ga) I began creating a cozy environment. It changed how I felt about winter in general.
Last winter, I didn’t mind at all with this new sense of comfy-ness, acceptance, rest, and renewal.
Last winter, planning my gardens, educating myself about gardening, learning to draw, and finding joy in peace and quiet was something new.
That feeling lasted all year. It changed in the summer to watching my veggies and flowers grow, cutting beautiful bouquets, creating a cozy space on our front porch and deck.
The fall is easy to find coziness in almost everything. I found out about coziness during September last year and I haven’t looked back.
I saw this post on a hygge group on Facebook the other day. I immediately answered the question differently than the other 100 comments.
I wrote it’s a state of mind like I knew this my whole life. So many people agreed that it is a state of mind not just a bunch of fluffy pillows, blankets, drinking tea, and candles.
I looked up what a hygge state of mind is and low and behold, it’s described exactly what happened to me and many others around the world.
It’s how the Danish and Norwegian people grow up and are raised to survive their long winters.
In Billy Joel’s song, “New York state of mind,” he romanticizes the state of New York and returning home.
Hygge romanticizes winter and that feeling of home. It touches people who love to be home, preparing comfort foods, reading…you know the rest by now.
Can making a cozy home give you that state of mind? Yes and no. It’s easier if you are happy and content what you have.
It’s a lot harder if you don’t see beauty in the little things in life like a bee pollinating flowers or how a candle flickers.
Hygge helped me survive last year during the holiday season and winter like the Danish. This year I looked forward to winter.
I think I finally understand and can put into words why I act and feel so differently. I now accept and appreciate the little things in my life.
If you are unhappy or have the winter blues like I did can this state of mind help everyone? Maybe or maybe not.
People reading this may may say, “I have the winter blues but I am a happy person.”
I know from experience those two things don’t exist together. It’s like saying I am happy depressed person. I was a depressed person period.
Before I heard of hygge I could not find that state of mind when I was in a state of constant depression. I was missing something.
I think if people are looking for help with that hygge feeling, creating a cozy environment does definitely help set the mood.
Looking within and finding that cozy, grateful feeling in your heart is even more important.
I can describe it like when the Grinch’s heart grew three times that day.
Hygge is like the song by the band Boston. “It’s more than a feeling.” It’s a state of mind.