We’ve all been banging on about mindfulness and hygge, which appears to be the new it thing, for a bloody long time, but it seems like the true definition has been a little lost. The Instagram photos of fluffy blankets, candles and comforting Christmas films may fit that cosy vibe but I feel there’s a little more too it than physical snuggliness and some time to unwind.
Hygge has taken over the blogger world but if you’re not
familiar with the term, it’s a Danish word which encompasses a whole load of
feelings. It’s of being cosy, content, that safe feeling when you’re with loved
ones, feeling soothed in the present moment and at peace. Whilst we’ve all
probably felt this at one time or another, there’s no direct translation to
English.
To me, true hygge is that feeling of contentment not just
in yourself, but with the people around you. Hygge seems to put a word to a
whole spectrum of emotions for me, but I feel like I achieve this mystical
Danish feeling by spending time in really good company. It’s when you get
chance to sit down and just take a step back and talk. To be with people who
you can talk to about anything, put the world to rights with and trust in them
to give you advice which is both informed and honest, with your best interests
at heart. What could be more hygge than knowing that someone gets you, your
interests, your beliefs, and also your fears and worries.
I went to the White Rose Shopping Centre just outside of
Leeds this week to meet a few bloggers for their Christmas parade, to see all
the Christmassy fun stuff they had going on and then head to Pizza Express for
dinner. Unfortunately for me, I missed the parade as I was still at work,
though apparently it was a bit like a scene from a Christmas film as members of
the public danced along to the band and Santa (the real one apparently) was
there. It was once I sat down for dinner with Kellie that I had a really
unexpected evening of just contentment. Despite being in a bustling shopping
centre, I felt that hygge feeling which comes from great company, comfortable
surroundings and of course, carbs. As you can probably imagine, the White Rose
has tonnes going on for Christmas, but if you are heading there, plan in some
time to regroup, grab some food and just talk. Talk for hours, without a time
limit and suddenly the world seems a little easier to contend with. Plus they’re
opening late for Christmas so you can then shop afterwards when it’s a little
quieter, if like me, you don’t do crowds.
Brunch with my best friends from school also had me
getting that hygge feeling this week too. We headed to Spring Espresso in York
which is an independent cafe that we picked at random off a list of recommended
places. I’m lucky to have three close friends from school which I still see and
speak to regularly, despite not having lived in the same place as them for the
last 6 years. And every time, we can pick up where we left off. These are the
friends who make me a better person and it is so important when you’re in your
20s to have people around you who will both be your biggest support network and
still tell you when you’re being a dick. Being with them is nostalgic, it makes
me feel comforted and they make me feel like I can do anything. Also, Spring
Espresso is really good for food, I’d definitely recommend it.
So that’s how I’ve been achieving hygge. Shout out to
Kellie, Katie, Bethany, Jenna and Katie’s son Max (he may not even be one yet
but cuddles with him definitely add to that cosy feeling), for being bloody
brilliant.
Love this Lizi and agree.. I think it's as you say, just being content and present. Switching off, as such.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say I'm practicing hygge, but I'm definitely being more mindful recently and meditation before bed and being aware of breathing is helping me a lot. :)
Caroline.x
www.carolineelgeywhite.com