I strive to be a glass-half-full type of person. Honestly, I do. But let’s get real—I absolutely dread winter. And considering I live just outside of Chicago, that’s a significant issue. We’re not talking about a light chill; it’s the kind of cold that makes your nose run and your fingers numb. For four or five months, it’s a relentless cycle of freezing temperatures, biting winds, and darkness that feels endless.
This winter, my dislike has reached new heights. We had several inches of snow on Halloween (yes, Halloween!), and I might be dealing with a touch of seasonal affective disorder, making this winter feel particularly harsh. Since relocating to a warmer climate or time traveling to spring isn’t an option, it looks like I—and anyone else not basking in a San Diego-style paradise—must grit our teeth and endure the next five months. But how?
I recently stumbled upon a concept called “hygge,” which promises to make winter a bit cozier. Hygge, it turns out, is all about self-care, gratitude, and simple pleasures—think casual dinners with friends, snuggly blankets, flickering candles, toasty socks, and freshly baked snickerdoodles. Yes, please!
This Scandinavian trend caught my attention immediately, as it basically gives introverts like me the green light to stay in, cozy up, and avoid the outside world. But what is hygge, really, and could it actually help make winter less dreadful?
According to Time magazine, hygge—pronounced “hoo-gah”—is a lifestyle that “embraces positivity and enjoyment of everyday experiences.” Positivity? Sign me up! Given the chaos of the world today, a little optimism is definitely needed. Embracing the ordinary sounds perfect too. Honestly, I’m too lazy for anything extravagant. Just saying “hoo-gah” is fun enough on its own!
Though hygge has been a Nordic tradition for ages, it’s recently gained popularity in the UK and the States, likely thanks to the hipster movement that has turned bushy beards and plaid fabrics into a trend or the collective desire of many, like me, to brighten up winter. In fact, hygge has become so trendy that there are over 5 million #hygge posts on Instagram, and it even made the shortlist for Oxford Dictionary’s 2016 Word of the Year (ironically, “post-truth” won, which might explain why we’re all craving hygge right now).
Experts who study hygge (yes, those people exist) attribute its rise to deeper psychological needs. “People are feeling anxious about the future and have a primal urge to take care of themselves,” says Laura Jensen, author of The Joy of Hygge: Embracing Nordic Living. “While we can’t control outside events, we can control ourselves—hygge is about savoring that and avoiding the madness of the world.”
While hygge is more of a lifestyle choice than a product, that hasn’t stopped marketers from capitalizing on this cozy idea. Time reports that at least nine books on hygge were published in the UK last fall, and various retailers are selling everything from candles to mulled wine aimed at the hygge enthusiasts.
As for me? I’m not in the mood for anything high-maintenance. I just want some warm socks, a lavender candle, and a reason to lounge in my pajamas. That’s more than enough to get me through winter with a hygge mindset. Maybe this winter won’t be so terrible after all.
This article was originally published on December 22, 2016.
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In summary, hygge offers a delightful way to embrace winter’s coziness through simple pleasures, positivity, and self-care. By focusing on the ordinary joys of life, perhaps we can all make this chilly season a bit more bearable.