My New Happy: Mindful Monday: Hygge

Monday, February 13, 2017

Mindful Monday: Hygge


My favorite quote from one of my favorite movies.  I shared Ferris Bueller's Day Off with my boys a few years ago, and sadly, they weren't that impressed.  I guess you had to be there.

For the longest time, I've been ignoring Mr. Bueller's wise advice.  Rushing around, crossing things off my to do list, and rarely taking time to STOP.  Afraid that if I didn't cram tasks into every minute of every day, I might miss something.

But the only thing I'm missing is the good stuff.  Life.

Have you heard about hygge?  It was a new word to me when I saw it a few weeks ago, but since then it's popped up everywhere I look.

Pronounced HOO-GAH, it's a Danish word that means.....well, it's kind of hard to explain. Generally, it's approaching your life, and the way you live it, with positivity, gratitude and enjoyment of simple pleasures.  It's a mindset that embraces a warm, cozy atmosphere and contentment.  It's cherishing the important people around you, and making time, and letting go.

Although the Danish have been practicing hygge since the 1800's, it's only recently become "popular" in England and the US, and was one of Oxford's words of the year for 2016.  Not a surprise, given these uncertain times, that we're searching for comfort and happiness with the ones we love.

I've started a list of ways that I can practice hygge.  Simple dinners with friends and family. Sitting with a warm blanket and an interesting book by the fire.  Having a glass of milk and a few chocolate chip cookies.  A Sunday chat on the phone with my son, away at college.

Slowing down, looking around, and enjoying where I am, alive in that moment.  

I think Ferris would approve.


Do you practice hygge?  Give me some things I can add to my list!

28 comments:

  1. Yep, one of my favorite quotes too and movies!! I'm a go, go, go but am so going to slow down more and be alive in the moment. Because of this post, I'm going to try harder!!! Happy Monday gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a hard time slowing down too. But when I do, I love it.

      Delete
  2. We just watched Ferris Bueller a few weeks ago! That quote is so true! Thanks for the reminder!

    Jill
    Doused In Pink

    ReplyDelete
  3. This just sounds peaceful. Thanks for sharing. It's the small simple things that can bring us such joy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Peaceful sounds like such a great way to go through life!

      Delete
  4. Great word with a great meaning...yes, it is something I do try and incorporate...though I never knew there was a word other than "being in present moment".

    FWIW a good hot shower is one of the finer pleasures in life. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Totally agree - there's nothing like a hot shower!

      Delete
  5. Who knew Ferris was so profound? I try to remember to stop and smell the roses!

    ReplyDelete
  6. To me it's a feeling of warmth of heart or being aware that you're enjoying the moment. Being in the now. I didn't know how it was pronounced though. I'm glad I haven't said the word aloud.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had to look up the pronunciation, and I was surprised!

      Delete
  7. I'm a big hygge fan and I'm glad there's a word for that. I do know it!
    Also, I can't believe they weren't impressed with Ferris Bueller. It was my favorite as a kid! I hope my kids like it someday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think maybe I talked it up too much, so they were expecting something else? I don't know - they're wrong!

      Delete
  8. OMG I love Ferris Bueller Day Off, it’s a classic. I’ve never heard of Hygge, I’m going to add it to my daily mantra.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I really need to slow down. I am always checking stuff off my daily to-do list! I have never heard of this word, where have I been? It sounds like what I need right now, tho!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd never heard of it either, until a few weeks ago. Now I can't get away from it :)!

      Delete
  10. Another blogger I follow was blogging about it and now you! It sure is getting around! I like the intentionality behind it!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hygge and their approach to winter is beautiful...I need to remember it more often- winter is a good time for stillness, for slowing down and to just be. Thanks for the reminder.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it really fits with winter, I think.

      Delete
    2. I think so much of the U.S. didn't have a typical snowy, slow-down winter so that kept us all in rush-mode when we might have otherwise taken a pause.

      Delete
  12. Learned a new word. Thank you. I have been feeling especially rushed. I have to remember to say a little prayer, take a deep breath and just stop for a sec, sometimes. Wise words here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stopping to say a little prayer really puts everything in perspective!

      Delete

Reading your comments is one of the best parts of blogging! I read and appreciate them all!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...