Whether you are familiar with the well known Danish concept of “Hygge” (pronounced as ‘hue-guh’) or you are hearing it for the very first time; let me share first what Hygge is.
Hygge is a warm feeling, of the coziness of heart and soul.
When you’re enjoying the simple pleasures of life whether alone, with friends or family – that’s Hygge.
When you’re fully present and soaking in the aroma of the warm environment and having a happy time without any bling – that’s Hygge.
When there’s no need to show & tell others that you’re having a lovely time – that’s Hygge.
Hygge is about connectedness, slowing down the pace of life to savour every moment fully.
It’s about not stressing about work, social media following, our to-do lists or the often frenetic schedules of our daily lives.
It’s a comfortable feeling of love, togetherness, fun, and connection.
Being in that relaxed space and enjoying together with others you care.
I didn’t realise my winter break was all about “Hygge” till I started writing about it.
I noticed that I hadn’t had this kind of break for some time hence wanted to share it with you.
When the kids school holidays started in mid December, I decided to take a break not just from work, but from the digital world and my phone; so no social media, no Apps, no emails or surfing internet.
I wanted to make the most of this time by spending quality time with myself and my family.
Just to relax fully, doing nothing was my plan.
The first 3 days were difficult.
My mind was struggling to get used to the idea that I can have a total break from everything.
No work. No social media. No laptop. No emails.
Just doing nothing!
My mind was trying to pressurise me, that I needed to do ‘something’. At least something spiritual, create some goal or agenda for these two weeks.
Being a coach and an active mom, it’s not easy to take a break just sitting at home, but I persisted with my plan.
These two weeks ended up being the most relaxing, lazy days snuggling in warm blankets with my family, over nourishing food (soups, carrot halwa, peanuts & more…) and indulging in enriching books and conversations.
I am sure many of you would already be relating with how we Indians can have such a hygge life, once we drop our modern craziness and need to go fast.
I realised how much addicted I was to my to-do lists, to doing and doing…constantly, as if I have some kind of obligation to do something.
I used to pick up my phone and wonder what to do with my phone, as there wasn’t anything to do without any apps to open and surf (I’d deleted all my apps at the beggining of my break).
Pretty soon, I started to relax and enjoy the warmth of the winter sun and go with the flow.
We enjoyed the sun in the noon and stayed in warm blankets during the evenings.
I read. Wrote a few things while drinking kahwas and hot teas.
Baked and cooked delicious kheer, halwa, cakes, soups, and meals together.
Ate a lot and loved it, without any guilt.
We played games indoor and taught new tricks to our dog Rico.
Watched movies and our favourite Netflix series “Suits” that my family is addicted to.
Munched on peanuts, popcorn and gajjak (an Indian sweet snack made of jaggery & nuts).
Talked and laughed a lot. Had such a cozy, connected time with each other.
Kids were super delighted to have so much time with me, just relaxing.
On new year’s eve, we had friends over, played games and danced our way to the new year together.
This reminded me of my childhood and the cozy winter time I used to spend as a little girl with my family in duvets, eating pakoras with chutney and other hot delicacies made by my mom.
Any experience that takes you to warm childhood memories is so Hygge.
I remembered the lazy afternoons sitting in the sun until dark, eating peanuts and sugarcanes, chatting and listening to stories from aunts and grand-aunts for hours.
I am sure most of my friends and people in their forties, fifties or even thirties would relate with having similar experiences as a child, the age before the internet.
Can you recall warm winter days from your childhood?
Spending free days of summer & winter holidays with an army of cousins & aunts staying together at one home.
Don’t you think too, that we Indians used to be great at the art of Hygge.
We naturally indulged in having a warm time together with family and friends.
I know we all still enjoy these little joys of life with our loved ones, except that there’s that niggling feeling in the back of the mind. An urge to check our to-do list, mails or to check whatsApp, social media or youtube.
We are not able to fully present with ourselves and our loved ones anymore.
I feel Hygge is not just Danish, and not only about candle lights, cakes & coffee, as popular.
It’s about taking a pause from the madness, from the race of having more and rather appreciating and enjoying what we already have.
It’s all about connecting with each other at a deeper level.
This is the only picture of me of my break, with our dog Rico sleeping in my lap.
Somewhere in the race of becoming westernised, under external influences, we’re losing this beautiful art ‘the way of living’ that was such a part of our Indian culture and still is.
Why can’t we teach our children to enjoy every moment fully rather than chasing more?
I wonder why?
Is it due to the societal pressure of making it big?
Due to sheer busyness of western urban lifestyle, to win the race of life?
Due to addiction to momentary highs on social media?
Not noticing that we’re earning more and more but enjoying less and lesser?
Not realising what really matters to us, anymore?
It’s high time we realise the truth and bring back the warmth, love and comfort that was so much a part of Indian living.
It’s high time we stop chasing the shiny objects and start nurturing our hearts and souls and of the people we love and care about.
What a wonderful gift it would be to pass on to our children.
I am surely going to keep continuing live Hygge, the old Indian Style.
Will you?
Share with me.