Squirreling along Hygge
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I went squirreling this week looking for… something. But, without knowing what you’re looking for, it’s difficult to find it. I’ve been feeling… uneasy? Unsettled? Something. So, as usual… I went squirreling.
Thankfully, the Danish have a sort of concept as a solution for me, that I get to share with you. Hygge.
Brought to you with help from The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking, 2017
Hygge, (pronounced HOO-GA) is probably easier to spell and pronounce than it is to explain, though. It has been called “the art of creating intimacy,” “coziness of the soul,” “the absence of annoyance,” and even “cocoa by candlelight.”
Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience, according to Wiking. It is a feeling. A feeling of home, coziness, and safety. The feeling of being able to let our guard down.
According to Wiking, no recipe for hygge is complete without candles. When Danes are asked what they most associate with hygge, an overwhelming 85 percent will mention candles. They don’t burn scented candles though. Scented candles are considered artificial, and Danes prefer natural and organic products.
Candles in Danish is levende lys or living lights. The idea truly is that candlelight is one element that majorly contributes to a cozy, comfortable, and happy feeling around us.
So if you’re looking for a way to help yourself feel a little more hygge… or cozy, calm, or maybe generally satisfied in the moment… try (safely and responsibly, of course) lighting a candle.
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