Both John and I spent a couple of years living in Denmark, separately at different times and then together. When people talk about Denmark, just like any other country in the world, they know some stereotypes or ‘facts’ which are sometimes true and sometimes not. For example, that there are only ten days of sun in a year, that that Danes LOVE their flag (believe me this is the truth), or that the Danish are the most happy people in the world.
Each year in the World Happiness Report we can see Denmark among the leading countries or even outright winners together with other Scandinavian countries. There are many parameters you could use to measure happiness such as; life satisfaction, safety, income, education, health, work/life balance, etc. While living in Denmark I asked some locals why in their own opinion Denmark is standing so high in the rankings. The most common and first answer was – safety ‘we pay high taxes, but we can feel safe if we lose jobs’. Another big thing is the respect for each working position and reasonable levels of income to have holidays, do activities and so on. I would add a couple by myself – lifestyle and hygge.
But let’s talk a bit about that safety. the feeling of being safe and protected probably started when we developed the ability to make a fire. Why? Because it was one of the first way to protect yourself from animals who were predators and enemies. It was the way that communities would form, people meet and spend time together around the fire. When you look at Danish houses they don’t have high fences, they have open windows with different lighting and lots of candles. I never saw so many candles used as in Denmark. It makes the houses cosy, warm and friendly. You could have an empty house, but a candle will give the feeling of safety, will calm you down.
It’s an idyllic image – a cup of tea or coffee (if you are a Dane perhaps coffee), a warm blanket, a lamp, a couple of candles and a good book.
The first impressions of Denmark might be about bicycles and farmland, and in some point they are right. After staying a bit longer you get a lot more impressions; that almost everyone can speak English, that they like outdoors like most of Scandinavians, community is a big value, equality (although not always at political levels or with following laws like freedom of movement, work and study in the EU), caring about ecology and an awareness about global issues, renewable energy, music festivals, comfortable outfits, quality of life. All of these things combine to form the Danish lifestyle. From my experience and just casual observation I would say the Danish lifestyle is very much affected by hygge, even if some of the local youngsters probably don’t know what it is anymore.
I mentioned a couple of words before like cosy, community and warmth, and they are a part of hygge. The word’s origin comes from Danish and Norwegian and it is used to express a mood of coziness, comfortable conviviality that comes together with a feeling of wellness. I believe that it would not be a mistake to describe it as a mix of lifestyle, culture and art all rolled together that creates the a good atmosphere and feelings by enjoying good things or moments with a good company.
Now hygge is well known all over the world, there are many books written by Danish authors who explain what it is and how we can use it our lives. It is not just to create some nice lighting, light a few candles and use Danish style decorations at home. It is much more, it is a feeling and some would say it is a state of mind. Wouldn’t it be a nice feeling to enter your home and immediately feel good vibes, giving you thoughts of family and friends together with history and coziness.
Finding Hygge
While I was tidying up my Granny’s house in which nobody lives at the moment, somehow hygge came to my mind. Just the simple fact that being there brought up some memories from childhood and the feeling of happiness and simplicity with no stress. Each piece of old furniture speaks about the history of the family, hobbies, homemade sheets, tables, blankets. There is wood and linen, neutral colors, the missing parts are just a cup of coffee and twinkly lights, it is an easy task to choose an old good book from the shelf.
I believe we all are different and maybe all of us could create our own hygge states of mind. Mine would involve something old, something practical, something earthy, something cozy and twinkly, with scents of vanilla, lavender and coffee, soft and cozy, woody, where I would feel safe with people who are important to me.
I would like to share my eight tips for creating your own hygge:
- If you have a fireplace don’t use it as a decoration, just use it!
- Use natural materials like linen, wood, wool.
- To decorate use different cosy lighing and candles.
- Create a relaxing corner, a happy bathroom with a BATH!
- Try to use pastel and calm earthy colors like browns, creamy colours and greys.
- Bring some ‘history’ home, like the cupboard which was made by your granddad, the book that a couple of your family generations read or something like this.
- Host homemade dinners with your family and friends, maybe invite neighbours or strangers.
- Simplicity with less, but with quality, and the things that you need not just that you want!