036: Mindfully Creating Hygge

I can personally attest to hygge and that there’s something special about this Danish phenomenon. You might be asking, what is hygge and how does it relate to me and my life?
In this episode, I talk about what hygge is and how I learned about it. You’ll hear about the book I read that I couldn’t put down and everything it taught me about hygge.
I share some helpful tips about how to use hygge to improve your life and I give some of my ideas for how you can incorporate this even more into your life to become the best version of yourself.
What you’ll find in this episode:
A segment on what I’m currently creating
Why I wanted to talk about hygge
What’s included in the hygge manifesto
How to improve the hygge in your life
Ideas for incorporating more hygge into your everyday
Read the transcript of the episode below:
 Episode 36 Mindfully Creating Hygge

Now I want you to know that I watched several YouTube videos trying to figure out how to pronounce hygge, and I'm pretty sure I'm still going to say it wrong, but nonetheless, today we are talking about this Danish phenomenon. I think there's something to it. This is episode 36 mindfully creating hygge.

Welcome to the Committed to Create Podcast. I'm Lisa Funk, and I am so excited to hang out with you here as we talk about the power of creating with our hands and our minds. I like to keep it real, remind you that you are not alone and share specific ways that creativity and mindfulness can help us live even more meaningful and joyful lives. I am so glad that you're here.

Hello, and welcome back to the podcast. I'm really excited about today's topic. Before we get started with that, I wanted to do a segment called Currently Creating.

So I wanted to let you know that I am going to be working on creating the next edition of Daily Mindful Lettering. The first book has been such a huge hit. It includes 30 days of lettering affirmations. And so many of you are like, oh, I have done those 30 days. Some of you have done them multiple times already, and you are ready to have another book with another topic, and I'm really excited about it.

I am actually going to be taking a few days at a hotel this weekend away from my regular life, which you may or may not know, I have four small children and plenty of laundry and dishes and meals to make, and lots of distractions that I love here at home. And so I'm going to be taking some time to really focus on creating this new book and I'm super excited about it.

I just, the more that I think about it, the more strongly I believe in mindful lettering. As a self care tool, as a fun daily activity, as a way to really truly learn a new skill and master it. I think that it serves so many purposes and can bless our lives in so many ways.

And I have been asking for your input on Instagram for your ideas for topics. I have been compiling lists. I've been asking about your ideas for what types of lettering styles you would like to see. And the next book, it will be similarly format to the first book and that it will have the same type of layout with 30 days of practicing lettering affirmations, but it will be new and different in that it will be a new topic with new affirmations and sayings, and some new lettering styles.

So I think that that will be really fun and I'm just really excited to get going on that. Of course, the process of creating a new book, take some time to work on creating it. So it won't be ready, you know, like next week, but I am doing my best to continue working on it so that it can be ready as soon as possible.

And I'm just too excited to not share about it here. So I wanted to share with you that I am currently creating a new book. All right.

So today I wanted to talk about hygge, which I know I'm not saying it totally right. I think it's supposed to be more like hygge like you just kinda, you don't like emphasize the "eh" at the end, I'm just going to say hygge because it's just easier. Because I'm, you know, I speak English. And so we're just going to go with that so that I don't stop too many times during this episode to try to say it perfectly. But if you are Danish and my pronunciation is not the best, please forgive me.

I actually connect with this, I feel like, even more in some ways, because I have quite a bit of Danish heritage as does my husband. And my husband's family, the Funk family, actually came from an Danish island as well. And a few years ago, my husband and I were able to go to Denmark to visit Copenhagen and to go to this island, Born home. And travel around a little bit and I just really felt so connected to Denmark.

So anyway, I was especially excited to learn more about this concept of hygge and to incorporate more of it into my life.

I kind of had like a vague understanding that it was, I don't know, creating a cozy spot by the fire? But I just recently read The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living by Mike Viking. And I was really excited about it and inspired by it and wanted to talk about it a little bit more on the podcast.

So, one thing that's really interesting about it, you know, he mentions that people talk about it as like the art of creating a nice atmosphere or, you know, cocoa by candlelight. It's something that the Danes really love and talk about quite a bit. But as I went through the book, I realized that, of course in the winter time, it can include lots of coziness candles and sweaters and a cup of tea and a fireplace.

It actually is something that they practice year round in different ways. And so I just wanted to talk a little bit more about it and how. I think this plays into the mindfulness that we talk about here on the podcast, quite a bit. It's just something that I think really does affect our happiness.

You may have heard that Denmark has been rated the happiest place in the world, and that has been part of the reason why people have been very interested in this concept of hygge and why and how the Danes practice it.

So first, I just wanted to share this Hooga manifesto that Mike shares in the book, and it really kind of encapsulates a lot of the aspects that he mentions are kind of a part of hygge.

Number one is the atmosphere. So in the winter, that would be turning down the lights and using candlelight or being very mindful of the lamps that you're using.

You would probably turn on several lamps as opposed to overhead lighting, just to create a cozy atmosphere. Yeah. I it's just something that I really haven't thought a ton about. I think for us who live in the U S a lot of us have, you know, can lights in the ceiling and overhead lighting, and, you know, there's nothing wrong with it. This is not a right or wrong thing.

I hope that if you've listened to the podcast up until now, you know that this is not like, let me tell you the right way to live. This is just interesting to take note of things that work for different people. And to see if there's something that might be interesting, that might kind of catch our interest that we might want to try.

And they say that, you know, the easiest way to try out hygge is to start lighting more candles. Of course, you know, like candles responsibly. But, even just maybe using a lamp instead of overhead lighting, I noticed in our bedroom, we had just had our overhead can lights and we just put lamps on our bedside tables.

And, oh my God. I know it's such a simple thing, but turning on the bedside tables and not the overhead lights at night, like it just really changes the entire feel of the room. And it's really made me think about the way that we can create atmosphere.

And so, you know, this podcast committed to create, you really can affect the way that you feel, I think, by of course your thoughts, we always talk about that, but I really do think that the atmosphere around us can help us kind of feel cozy and warm and homey and comfy. And I loved reading about it.

So number two in the hygge manifesto is presence. So, being present in the here and now, which might mean putting away phones or other things that are distracting and being together. This doesn't mean that there can't be screens of any kind, because throughout the book, they do give examples of a tradition of a Friday night, you know, movie night with your family and having popcorn, something like that can be hygge.

So it's not like, oh, this has to, you know, be some old fashioned thing where we're only sitting here knitting, but being there and doing an activity together where everyone is present is definitely a part of it.

Number three is pleasure. So he says coffee, chocolate, cookies, cakes, candy, you know, having something special, like a little treat that you might look forward to can be part of it.

Number four is equality. So "we over me." So this is something like if you're going to be getting together for a meal, you might all be in the kitchen, getting the food ready together. Or when you are sitting around talking, you're all just sharing and it's not just all about, you know, one person. So it's just kind of this collective feeling.

Number five is gratitude. Take it in just treasuring that moment for what it is and how amazing it is to just be in the present.

Number six is harmony. That this is not a competition. We already like you, there's no need to brag about your achievements, that we're not here to impress each other or to, you know, share those kinds of things. And that kind of goes back to that we over me concept.

Number seven is comfort. Get comfy, take a break. It's all about relaxation. So having a comfortable place to sit or blankets or pillows or a couch having someplace that's comfortable.

Number eight is truce. So this means no drama. Don't bring things up that, you know, are going to be controversial. You know, bring that up another day. If you want to have a hygge moment, it's where you know that you're going to be safe. Safety is a big part of it.

Number nine is togetherness. So building relationships and narratives, this can be a time to reminisce. And talk about, you know, great memories, things like that.

Number 10 is shelter. This is your tribe. This is a place of peace and security.

And so I love all of those different aspects of what hygge can be. A lot of times, I think it's just atmosphere or like a spot in your house. But as I thought about all those different aspects of it, I thought that's a really interesting, and apparently there's even a parenting book about incorporating aspects of hygge into your family life as a way to really connect with your children and help them have a safe place, a place where you're present a place where you're making memories and where you're sharing something together. And just having a cozy moment together as a family.

Now he does talk in the book about how to create a physical atmosphere of hygge, which I was thinking could really go right along with when we talked about having a creative space and really involving your senses and maybe lighting a candle or playing some nice music or sitting by a window where you can look out. And he really talks about the different things that can contribute like a fireplace, candles, things made out of wood, bringing the nature indoors, lots of books around, ceramics, you know, vintage things that are special, blankets and cushions.

There are certain things that, you know, he mentions here that can help us to create that atmosphere. And I think that it could be different, right? Like, depending on what feels comfortable for you. And that just kind of creates a moment.

And it just made me think, you know, how many of us are having moments like this regularly on purpose? Like where we're mindfully, intentionally creating a cozy moment where we're slowing down and really enjoying where we're at.

And I think that we really value certain things in our culture here in the U S, like productivity, this is the understatement of the century. I think we have been really conditioned to believe that we are better humans or going to be happier if we are more productive.

And I'm not saying that it doesn't feel good to be productive. I do have an episode on this, actually episode 22 is called the dark and bright sides of productivity, because I do think that there are beautiful ways to be productive when we are focusing on the creative aspects of productivity and not focusing on it as a way to kind of prove to ourselves and to others that we are important and valuable.

So I think about how a lot of our actions that we take throughout the day, let's take a minute and think about how do we spend our day? Are we running around a lot? Are we, you know, trying to cross off a bunch of things on our to-do list, what are the reasons for the way that we spend our time? What are the motives behind the way that we spend our days?

And this isn't a bad thing. Again, there's no right or wrong, but it's interesting to take a look and say, huh, you know what? I actually don't take time to slow down. I don't take time to enjoy a quiet moment by the fire or just lighting a candle and drinking a cup of tea and just, you know, taking a moment to be still.

And if that sounds like not something you wouldn't enjoy. I just wonder, like, is it hard for us to be still? Or to be, you know, alone with ourselves? Is it easier to be on the go and running around and trying to get a million things done? And what is it about slowing down that doesn't feel natural to us?

I know that for me, sometimes it feels like, oh yeah, well, that would be nice, but I don't really have time for that. And you know, I've talked about this before. That's not a thing. Like we all have time. We all decide how we're going to use our time. And that's just true. We just do. We have time. And we prioritize what's important. And I do think it's interesting to, you know, evaluate like, are we taking any moments during our day to be quiet? Do we have a routine where we regularly have a moment of hygge?

Apparently in  Denmark, they attach hygge to everything. So they say something is hygge. They talk about having a hygge moment. They talking about having a hygge Christmas. They talk about having a hygge hello. You know, they talk about hygge, they focus on hygge, they say that they obsess about it. So they plan for it. They talk about it, they relish it, they look back on it.

And it's really interesting to think about this because, you know, they have been rated to be one of the happiest places. And you think about what are the things that we're talking about regularly? What are we obsessing about? What are we planning for? What are we relishing? What are we looking back on?

If we took time to think about the last time that we were really truly in a happy moment, what was it? Just taking a minute to think about that. What was the last moment where we just felt really happy?

I think for so many of us, we are running around so fast and trying to achieve things and accomplish things that maybe we don't slow down enough to even realize that we're having that moment or take the time to relish in that moment.

And one thing that I love that he says is "hygge is humble and slow. It is choosing rustic over new, simple over posh and ambiance over excitement in many ways hygge might be the Danish cousin to slow and simple living."

I just loved that because I think that we are so wrapped up in the race and the hustle and the bustle all the time that we aren't obsessed with slowing down.

We're not planning when we're going to slow down and thinking about it. I mean, we might plan like, oh, we're going to go on vacation. And we're just going to sit on the beach, you know? And that's great. But how often are we taking a vacation? Can we have just a little mini vacation every day? Do you have one minute or five minutes or 10 minutes a day where you could plan to slow down and have a little vacation or create an ambiance that does feel slow and simple and something that you could savor.

I think that this will probably look different for all of us. Not everybody likes drinking tea or sitting down to embroider, but I think that the idea of prioritizing this can be something that might make a difference for some of us, because it doesn't have to take a lot of time. It's something that we can do with other people, so it's not like we need a babysitter or to be alone. We can create these moments and look forward to them.

And sometimes it seems so simple. Like in the morning I'll often make my hot chocolate and then I take it outside. I live in Arizona. Okay. I'm not in the snow. I kinda need to go outside to feel a little, little bit chilly in the morning. I was like, truly enjoying my chocolate. I mean, I can enjoy it inside, but that is like a little hygge moment for me, because I want to feel chilly so I can feel cozy with my hot chocolate and just savor it and not try to get something done at the same time.

Not try to also be getting work done or accomplishing anything. It's just a moment. It's a moment to slow down.

And I used to think that hygge was like a winter thing and something that was only to be experienced a wintertime. And I think that that's mostly how people think of it, but in the book he talks about hygge all year long in Denmark. And he talks about the different ways that they experience it. He says, you know, in winter time, it's this, you know, sitting by the fire and maybe knitting or listening to music or being together with friends, drinking, you know, like a warm drink. In the summertime, it might be being out in the water and playing and laying out in the hot sun and then being together, playing a game at night after you've spent all day in the sun.

And I thought, you know what? It really is that idea of slow and simple living really savoring, simple pleasures. And so in the spring time, it might be taking a picnic out and enjoying nature and running around in the park. These things that, if we want to have more of this feeling of hygge, that we can plan more for these things and then be actually present during them, which I know can be hard for some of us, because we're always thinking about the next thing. We pack up to go on the adventure. And then while we're there, we're like, okay, are we done? Are we happy? Is everybody ready to go? Should we start packing up to go home? And it's sometimes we forget how to even be present while we're doing the thing that we planned for that we thought would be fun, but just really relishing in those really simple moments.

So next I wanted to share, he shares the five dimensions of hygge, which is basically like the senses. And this just goes along so well with what we already talk about here on the podcast that I thought I would share, because it's just another opportunity for us to see what might be a fit for us as we are striving to live more mindfully and create more moments of mindfulness or hygge in our day to day.

So first he talks about the taste of hygge and how, you know, taste is such an important element. It often involves eating something and it's something that can't be too fresh or alternative or challenging in any way. It's almost always a familiar, comforting food. So maybe a cup of tea or maybe a special cake or a stew, something that is nourishing and comforting.

Next is the sound of hygge. And he says that the small sparks and dynamic crackles of burning wood are probably the most hygge like sounds that there are, but that many sounds can be heard. Or it could be the absence of sound. It could be very quiet noises like listening to the rain drops on the roof or the wind blowing outside the window. The sound of the trees waving in the wind or the creaks of wooden planks that yield as you walk on them. It could be the sounds of someone drawing, cooking, knitting. It could be any sound of a safe environment that could be the soundtrack of hygge.

And I love how he mentioned drawing because you know, I'm thinking about how creativity can be tied in to hygge and being present and savoring a slow and simple moment.

The next is smells like hygge and he says, have you ever smelled something that takes you back to a time and place where you felt safe or smelled something that more than a memory gives you a flashback of how the world used to look when you were a child or maybe the smell of something provokes strong feelings of security and comfort, such as the aroma coming from a bakery or the smell of apple trees and your childhood garden. Or maybe the familiar scent of your parents' house.

What makes a smell hygge-like differs from very much from person to person because smells relate a situation to one's experience with the past. So of course, different smells can touch many of us differently, but using the smell of a candle or if we're cooking something delicious, or paying attention to the smells around us, you know, the smells of our babies or the orange trees outside, what are those smells that just light you up that just smell amazing.

And how can we take time to smell the roses? It's so cheesy, but that is what this concept of Hooga is all about is slowing down. And taking time to be present.

Next is what does Hooga feel like? And he talks about how this is really different person to person. Whether, you know, you're going to want cozy blankets and pillows or a certain spot, or it's going to be the feeling of holding your cup of tea or whatever it is that feels comforting to you is going to be what hygge feels like.

And the next is seeing who it's very much about light, as people have said. You don't want anything too bright. But it's also about taking your time. So it can be wanting the right lighting in a room or a basking in sunlight, but it can also be taking the time to look out the window and watch the snow falling or taking time to look at the tree waving in the wind or the lazy flames from an open fire, just taking time to be present and to pay attention to what you are seeing.

And that, again, goes so much along with what we talk about here with using our five senses to be more present.

And then the next is the sixth sense of hygge. It says Hooga is about feeling safe. Hence hygge is an indication that you trust the ones you are with and where you are. The feeling of hygge is an indication of your feeling of pleasure. When someone tells you to go with your gut feeling. That you have expanded your comfort zone to include other people and you feel you can be completely yourself around other people.

So hygge can be tasted, heard, smelled, touched, and seen, but most important hygge is felt. In the beginning of the book. I mentioned Winnie the Pooh, and I think his wisdom still holds true. You don't spell love you feel it. This brings us to the final theme of the book, happiness.

And I just think that it's so interesting. He talks about how so many people have been interested in Denmark and their happiness. He runs an Institute there where they research happiness and he says, it's something that we plan for. We obsess about, we talk about past moments of hygge and what's interesting is that he also said we have to have some opposition.

We don't just have hygge all day long. Every day we have the hard moments we have the storm raging outside. That's what makes the safe haven so special is because we have those challenges, moments of opposition is what makes the mindful moment, the moment of presence, the moment of togetherness, even more special.

And I just love that. You know, in Denmark it's dark and cold for so much of the year. And so for them, they just celebrate hygge and focus on it and look forward to it, gives them something to look forward to.

And I think about that for us, we might be going through a really tough season. What is something that you can look forward to that feels safe? That's a moment where you might have a little bit of pleasure.

And one other thing he talks about that I love is having a hygge emergency kit. And in it, he talks about having candles and maybe some chocolate and maybe, you know, a cozy blanket. What are the things that you could have that could just bring you some comfort and some safety, even on a really tough day.

Of course, I'm going to encourage you to include some creativity in there, because I do think that at the end of the day, for me, when I can sit down with my pens and some paper or needles and thread and some fabric and do some embroidery, like time just slows down a little bit and I'm able to savor those slow and simple moments.

I'm doing a little bit of redecorating in my house. I shouldn't say redecorating. Cause I feel like I haven't ever really decorated, even though we've been here for nine years, it's fine. It's not, it's not a big deal. But I'm wanting to create some more coziness in my home. And as I'm thinking about doing some of these decorating projects, they're very nothing too elaborate, but I'm thinking about wanting to create these hygge spots, they call them, where you can go and feel cozy and take a moment to slow down and read or think or rest or chat or be together. And we don't need to redecorate to do this. We can create this in our homes where we already are it's to me more of a mindset than anything else, but of course we can light a candle and, you know, have a cup of hot chocolate or tea or coffee or whatever that you enjoy drinking.

And depending on the season, do those activities that feel like simple pleasures, that are moments where you find yourself being present and making memories together with your family, whether it's a game night or an outing, or sometime when you're able to really connect and be together.

So anyway, I really enjoyed learning more about hygge. Definitely something that I want to just incorporate more in my life and it feels special to take a moment to just be still and enjoy the slow and simple life.

So, anyway, I hope that you have enjoyed this and that maybe you'll try incorporating some more hygge in your life too. I'd love to hear what you think.

If you want to leave a review for the podcast that is so helpful. And I always love hearing from you on Instagram as well. I'm over there at hand lettered design. And if you're interested in incorporating some him lettering into your hygge moment of the day, you can grab supplies at handlettereddesign.com.

I have seen some really cozy looking hygge setups. I love when you tag me on Instagram and Facebook when you're practicing your daily mindful lettering. And a lot of you have some coziness happening with a candle or cup of tea or something, and just taking a minute for yourself. And I think that's amazing.

So keep doing that, keep sharing. Don't be afraid to take a minute for yourself. Don't feel selfish. Self-care is not selfish. If you listen to the episode from earlier a few weeks ago, it's worth it for you and for everyone around you for you to take care of yourself. So, anyway, I am grateful for you. I feel so honored that you tune into the podcast and I will talk to you again next week.
Links:
Daily Mindful Lettering Book
The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living
022: The Dark and Bright Sides of Productivity
Ready for a fun activity to feel less stress? Come get our FREE Guide - 5 Creative Steps to Less Stress & More Joy while it's still available: http://CommittedtoCreate.com/lessstress
I hope that my podcast has left you feeling inspired and excited to create the life that you want. If you’ve enjoyed listening to this podcast, I’d love for you to subscribe so you can continue to hear more. Want to get to know me better? Connect with me on my website or on Instagram to keep up with everything that is going on with me and my business.
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036: Mindfully Creating Hygge

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