Putting Yourself First
In our last post, we broke down our five hygge must-haves. But let’s get back to the roots of what hygge really means! This brings us back to our posts on minimalism and going green. At its core, hygge is about making room for what really matters (sensing a theme here?). At the end of the day, we don’t need a $140 weighted blanket, a $350 hand-knit genuine Fair Isle sweater, or brand-new shearling slippers. Sometimes it’s just about layering two pairs of well-loved socks and snuggling under the duvet!
In fact, criticisms of the commercialization of hygge have been appearing more frequently over the last few years. Comedian Sophie Hagen spoke with Mashable, saying:
“It's incredibly strange finding a hygge blanket that costs £85 and promises to make you feel hygge. I found a scented candle called hygge that cost £35 which I had to buy because I was desperate to find out how on earth they thought hygge smelled. I think it was cinnamon.” To Hagen, actual hygge can be anything from a cup of coffee on a Monday morning to going out with friends. It’s a feeling closely tied to being relaxed or chilled out. “The weirdest thing is that it is suddenly for sale,” Hagen says. “Hygge, to me, has never been something you could buy.”
Our big takeaway from the article? “But as soon as hygge is being used to sell you stuff you don't need, it loses its meaning.”
Yes! You don’t need a long, pricey shopping list to feel hygge. You know us, we’re fans of minimalism, and participating in the ever-growing demand for $40 candles is not in the best interest of the environment. To us, the core of hygge is appreciating winter for exactly what it is--a beautiful time when the earth slows and rests, in preparation for the growth of spring.
One of the best aspects of hygge is the opportunity to take things slow in your own life. You’re a hard worker, and you hustle, but we all need a moment to allow ourselves to take a break, to check in with our bodies and hearts, and renew ourselves for the “spring,” whether that’s the actual springtime, or just the next phase of your work or personal life. You can’t pour from an empty glass--let hygge fill you up again.