Hygge, Denmark and far away 1st Part
First of all, as Meik Wiking,
CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, explores in his books
Hygge and Lykke, this Danish experience is possible to apply in others countries,
according to a not Danish social environment.
When Hygge is mentioned is
easy to think in candles, fireplaces and a lot of physical elements that are a
part of it, but they hide and show at the same time, values, traditions and a
unique way of life with deep roots.
In this article, we will
mention some objects, but we intend to go deep into wise values that support
Hygge.
1-Context
Denmark was united to Norway
under the same crown until 1814.
Although they have important cultural
points of contact, and Norway also is considerate one of the happiest countries
in the world, as all Scandinavia, since last years Denmark was in the center of
these phenomena.
For better comprehension, it
is important to consider weather condition over Danish culture. A wet, rainy,
cold and with not so much hours of sunlight during wintertime, in some way push
life indoors. Danish looked for create a more comfortable home as they could.
This creates a national way of
life looking for charm and safety. Although this way of life came to public
consideration in the last years, its roots have more than one century. Besides,
nowadays Hygge is studied, and planned is Danish culture and homes. Because of
that, a "Hygge" home must-have charms objects to make it the
comfortable place where you share with the ones you love. These objects usual
include someone of a loved ancestor because they provide loved memories. And a
loving memory provides one of the pillars of Hygge: gratitude.
2-Candles.
They are a typical Hygge element,
because of its warm light.
But also they are an external
signal of history and daily life at a Danish home.
The Advent candle is a
Calendar, with 24 marks one for each day before Christmas and for intentionally
daily preparing people for this great celebration.
The fest candle celebrates
each 4 May, when German forces, who had occupied the country, had surrendered.
So, Danish candles create relax
at home, but also remember things than matters to reinforce identity.
3-Some words in the spirit of
Hygge
·
Humble
·
Slow
·
Simplicity
·
Functionally
·
Simple
pleasures
·
Intimacy
·
Sense of togetherness
·
Gratitude
These words show a part of
this style of life: no hurry at home, things may be not luxurious but
functional, so simple ones because in this way they are capable to make comfort
easily.
Danish believe that well-being
is hidden in simple pleasures and happiness in intimacy, sense of togetherness
and gratitude. There is no magic, but these are proved conditions for Hygge.
4-Some sentences in the spirit
of Hygge
·
Hygge means
feeling safe
·
Rustic
better than new
·
Money no
increases Hygge
·
Play means
share an activity without goals
·
More the
positive emotions than the absence of negative feelings
As we can see, it seems that
safety is the main condition. The absence of insecurity, let people live
without the high guard.
When your worries went out
through the window, you can enjoy intimacy with the ones you love in a charming
environment.
Money is very important to
guarantee a not uncertainly life, but money is not capable to increase Hygge.
Home is the place for play, enjoy
without goals.
Of course, Danish is not
excluded from pain, but the attention is focused more on positive emotions than
in the absence of negative ones.
5-Social environment
·
You trust
the ones you are with.
·
You feel
safe where you are.
·
You are
completely yourself around other people that strengthen your self-esteem.
In these 3 statements, I can
see the perfect balance between personal and social issues.
With mountains of human suffer
trying to be another one that you are not reinforced usually by media…what an
important situation is that your social environment strengthens your
self-esteem!
Are you ready to go deep into
the roots of Hygge?
I can assure that in a few
weeks, learning, I improved my home and my life
Learn more in next edition, for a better life
Bibliography
Books
Meik Wiking The little book of Hygge. Penguin
Random House UK, 2.016
Meik Wiking The little book of Lykke.
Penguin Random House UK, 2.017
Leave a Reply