The word 'hug' is believed to have derived from the Old Norse word 'hugga'- also the source of the Danish work 'hygge'. The concept behind both is also not too dissimilar: both are physical acts; both create a feeling, a moment, an embracing of the present.
With Winter slowly reaching out its icy finger-tips toward us, I start thinking about the home equivalent to hibernation; cosying up and making my home winter-ready.
Creating spaces and making opportunities for such moments of contentment has never been more important than it is this year.
Many of us have embraced the slowing down of life this year; others have been engulfed by the hectic and disordered state of the world around us.
Either way, Autumn is upon us and we must embody a more gentle pace of life.
How I hygge
I have softly migrated into a slower way of life over the last five or so years. I sometimes feel I have turned back into my former self; a time when I was young and had the blissful simplicity of immersing myself in the act of spending an entire day building a den behind the shed; making potions and perfumes from rose petals; building a newspaper house in my bedroom (yes, I did actually do this - and there reveals the roots of my future career!)
Adulting is hard! We have to earn money and pay the bills; go shopping; cook; wash up; clean the house. And then, if we have any energy after doing all that, we have time to do the 'nice stuff'.
Finding the time to something special, that engulfs you in that particular moment, is so important to our mental health. My first go-to is a bath. Take the time. Make the time - you absolutely deserve it! Add bath salts or bubbles; light some candles; burn or add some essential oils (my favourite at the moment is sweet orange which, put simply, just makes me happy!). I often play a few of my favourite records too, and... occasionally add a nice glass of red into the mix.
In my home, I have a few spaces where I can just curl up and read. As a designer, I have often added these reading nooks into the designs for peoples homes. A design I did for a client last year had a cocktail area added into one section of his living room; a place with comfy old leather armchairs, where he could recline and have a drink whilst listening to some of his favourite music.
Creating a space that is comfortable and cosy, in which to observe simple pleasures such as reading or drinking a spiced cup of hot chocolate, is simple indulgence at its best. In every room in my house I have layers of lighting. That is to say I have some combination of pendant lights, floor lamps, table lamps, wall lights and candles. Each creating the perfect lighting and atmosphere for a particular activity.
Spending time with friends and loved ones is so important at the moment. Sharing a big bowl of something steaming and home-made is the perfect antidote to the shortening days. I am fortunate to live in Bristol, with many green spaces on my doorstep, so I can frequently be found digging away in my allotment, or stomping over Ashton Court with my friends. Seeing the changes on the trees and in the fields, from the ebbing and flowing of the changing seasons, whilst putting the world to right, has absolutely brought moments of pure 'happy' to me this year.
I am very aware that, now I am delving into the world of hygge, I could continue to write reams more, but, to summarise: It's vital to take and make moments; embrace the time spent making a pot of tea, or letting the sourdough slowly rise as you type away at your work report; stand under the rusty orange leaves of trees in Autumn and gather conkers like you once did before; curl up with a book and a cup of chai, and read for hours under muted light.
Embrace your hygge.
Comments