It’s possible I was Danish in a past life (or an Egyptian princess but that’s another story). Having read The Little Book of Hygge – pronounced Hoo-ga – about the Danish art of wellbeing, I discovered I am quite Hygge-ish already, or Hyggelig as the Danes would say.

So what AM I on about?!

The book came to my attention when researching 11 Reasons to get into the Wild NOW, as the Danes enjoy exercising outdoors, so it sounded very Kids of the Wild.

Written by Miek Wiking, a happiness researcher from Denmark, ‘The Little Book of Hygge, The Danish Way to Live Well’, is all about the things in life that make the Danes one of the happiest groups of people in the world – and spending much of the year in darkness they probably need lots to keep them happy!

It’s a cute little hardback with clean, modern photographs, easy to read text and lots of happy ideas.

What does Hygge mean?

Hygge is barely translatable, meaning something along the lines of cosy, homely, people-centred wellbeing. It’s a feeling, smells, tastes and activities too. Being hygge leads to lykke…

What is the meaning of Lykke?!

Pronounced Lu-kah, Lykke means happiness in Danish of course!

The basic principles of Hygge-happiness

  • Ambient lighting and fire
  • Friends and family
  • Getting outdoors
  • Nourishing the soul
  • Eating well (and that’s not always healthily…!)
  • Being closer to nature
  • The right home environment
  • Comfy clothes
  • Feeling safe and secure

The Little Book of Hygge includes recipes, crafts, activities and ideas for being more hyggelig in every aspect of life including at work, where the Danes even use candles for that Hygge feeling!

It’s a lovely book to read and pass on to a friend.

My take on Hygge is that it’s quite like being Kids of the Wild. It’s not about living a cosy, perfect, dream-like ‘Country Living’ existence, it’s about the juxtaposition between the stresses and tensions of modern life and the little things we do to bring peace and calm into the chaos, as well as looking forward to these things almost as much as doing them; – reading a favourite book snuggled in blankets with a hot chocolate, inviting friends to a campfire at the beach, sitting somewhere beautiful in nature, warming by an open fire in thick socks after a winter hike, cooking great food for friends and family, making a cosy and inviting home. No doubt my Danish friends will correct me if I’m wrong!

To better illustrate, here are some photos of things that I feel are hygge (and lykke) in my life.

Channel your inner pyromaniac with Christmas tree burning this winter in a fun Twelfth Night outdoor family ritual
Enjoying myself (in joy in myself) breathing in a little happy air

Let me know what you think and please share any Hygge ideas that are in your life already.

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Buy the Books

Buy The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well, or try Hygge: The Danish Art of Happiness or The Art of Hygge: How to Bring Danish Cosiness Into Your Life.

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Hygge and Lykke books

Lykke candle

Books on the art of Hygge

NB Kids of the Wild received a copy of Little Book of Hygge for the purposes of review. All views and observations are my own (and Caroline’s, aged 10).

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