Hygge

Is it ok to admit I don’t like Halloween? or rather I don’t like the commercialisation of it, hang on I also don’t like children knocking on strangers’ doors for sweets – that’s just odd! Halloween also signifies the start to driving to and from work in the dim light and the onset of winter and SBLs across the country checking their grit/salt supplies.  No sooner have the Halloween sweets been consumed then its Fireworks Night, another night I don’t particularly enjoy as I take on the imaginary role of risk assessing all the organised and unorganised firework displays in the area.  17 years ago, a neighbour’s firework display had an epic fail and crashed through our sunroom’s plastic roof.  Fortunately, I was standing in the kitchen holding my 16-month-old son at the time, so was able to go and put out the fire before it took hold.  I dread to think what would have happened if we had been out at the time.  Anyway, this was supposed to be a cheery blog, but I guess I’ve just set the scene for why I like to hibernate in November.  Actually, it’s not hibernating as I’m still really active and busy, although my #SBLStepChallenge is appalling at the moment, I barely get to 40,000 steps a week, I just prefer being inside. My bad or is it my good? I’m happy creating a cosy warm environment for me and my family to enjoy.  As I type this, I’m being warmed by my log burner, lit by a multitude of candles and low-level lighting, fuelled by yummy goodies and serenaded by a random selection of Hygge music on Spotify.  Hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”) as you may already know, is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfort with feelings of wellness and contentment.  Some people get that after a long hard day at work by putting on their PJs, pouring a glass of wine and catching up with Strictly on the telly.  Others struggle to find the off or even the dimmer switch. 

“Hygge is about giving your responsible, stressed-out achiever adult a break. Relax.”

I can recommend “The Little of Book of Hygge” by Meik Wiking as a starting point to inspire your own type of Hygge.  Recently on Twitter, I’ve seen a couple of posts about “Hug in a Mug” as colleagues have shown support to each other by providing some treats and offers of covering playground duty.  Love this idea of bringing Hygge to work!  I’ve also seen posts about anonymous well-being buddies leaving thoughtful little gifts unexpectedly for colleagues. These are a bit like random acts of kindness, some of which definitely don’t have to have a financial cost: 

10 random acts of kindness

1. Smile
2. Hold the door open
3. Give an honest compliment
4. Thank someone who you appreciate
5. Be a good listener
6. Offer your help to someone
7. Ask the person who’s serving you how their day is going
8. Treat someone to a coffee or tea
9. Let someone go past you in the grocery queue
10. Send flowers or chocolates to a friend out of the blue

Hygge is the same its cost is little or nothing…turn the big lights off, light some candles, put on comfy clothes, go for a walk, drink something hot, read a book, snuggle.  Whether you hibernate, hygge or hit the shops, we’ve got 6 weeks until the end of term, be kind to yourself, give yourself a break and maximise your contentment.