embrace the hygge way to happiness

“Happiness consists more in small conveniences or pleasures that occur every day, than in great pieces of good fortune that happens but seldom.” 

― Meik Wiking, The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well

Denmark is consistently ranked among the happiest countries in the world. It ranked first in the World Happiness Report in 2013 and 2016, and secured the third spot in 2015. For the uninitiated, this might seem very odd. Denmark’s weather is mostly gray — with bleak, dark and freezing winters — and its taxes are outrageously high. On top of that, there aren’t any pleasing nature spots to escape to. 

Then, how come Danish folks experience so much happiness and contentment? There are two main reasons. The first is easy to point out: They enjoy a generous and well-organized welfare state thanks to the high taxes. While the second is less obvious and involves the nebulous concept of hygge.

Hygge is a word imported from Norwegian, and its original meaning is “well-being,” however this definition does not fully justify the notion. The same goes with the contemporary translation of “coziness.” Hygge is, in essence, a feeling that needs to be experienced firsthand.   

Life can be hard, times can be tough. But we can bring warmth and comfort in our lives whenever we want by following the practice of hygge. We can all learn from the Danes, set up a hyggekrog for ourselves and take it easy. Why not embrace the small and satisfying pleasures that life offers you every day? There’s absolutely no harm in being self-indulgent. 

Hygge is all about being carefree and enjoying the present moment. Light up some candles, get a nice bubble bath or curl up and read a book with a hot cup of cocoa. Soothe your soul, heal your mind. Let go of the doom and gloom, and do hyggelig activities that make you feel good.

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