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HYGGE 101: Here’s What Happens When You Adopt This Cozy Trend

September 21 // 5 Comments // 4 Minute Read

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Do you long for the simpler things in life? These life-changing hygge ideas prove the secret to happiness isn’t about wanting more.

 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy here.

I didn't know where to start with HYGGE until I found this post! These simple HYGGE ideas are super easy to try and I'm SO MUCH happier than ever before. Bring on the blankets, candles, and fuzzy socks, because I'm a total HYGGE lifestyle convert now! #hygge #selfcare #cozy #rest #relaxation #intentionalrest

Have you noticed the term Hygge popping up here, there, and everywhere?

If you haven’t yet, you will soon.

It’s kind of like when you buy a light blue VW, and suddenly one appears around every corner of your neighborhood. Crazy how that happens, right? It’s not that your type of car has invaded your city, only that your awareness has.

The same thing is happening with Hygge.

While Hygge is a Danish term that’s been around for a good long while, it’s just now gaining traction all over the world.

Hygge is the next Marie Kondo craze, if you will, and in a crazy, fast-paced life where people are more and more desperate for simpler things, I expect the adoption of this trend will only get bigger.

I’ve been there, desperate for simple. I’ve felt the hustle too.

After years of late nights building this blog to a point of financial stability, I look back at the hundreds of missed moments because I’ve been so focused on that constantly moving finish line.

The truth is—there is no finish line. There’s no destination. There’s no “I’ve made it and there’s nothing left to do.”

There’s only the journey.

And I want that journey to be filled with joy and meaningful moments and appreciation for how far I’ve come, not how far I have to go. I want to be PRESENT—my guiding word for 2018.

So what are some practical ways you can fit more Hygge into your life?

Here are a few ideas:

1. Bring out the candles. Then actually light them. Create a cozy atmosphere with soft lighting. If you’re looking for an excuse to splurge, this Anthropologie candle has THE BEST fragrance. Hint: it’s slightly cheaper if you get it from Amazon!

2. Slip on a pair of fuzzy socks to give your feet maximum coziness and warmth.

3. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb. I’ve been implementing a strict 9pm screen-free time for the past few weeks and this one simple habit has helped me fall asleep so much quicker!

4. Settle in with your favorite cuppa’. I don’t drink coffee, so Moroccan Mint Green Tea is my go-to drink of choice.

5. Create a cozy nook. I love spending the quiet time part of my morning routine in this cozy section of my home office.

6. Huddle around a roaring fire. We don’t have a fireplace in our home, but Netflix or YouTube offer a free alternative with crackling sounds that will create a cozy living room in seconds.

7. Host a get-together with loved ones. If you’re an introvert like me, you’ll love these hosting tips. 

8. Snuggle up with a cozy blanket. Keep soft sherpa throws on the backs of couches or in a basket so they are within easy reach.

9. Hide the clutter. Part of shaping a Hygge home is creating a relaxing retreat. Keep surfaces clean to help clear your mind.

10. Make room for special treats. Cake, cinnamon rolls, brownies, and breads are most definitely Hygge. (In moderation, of course, so as not to cancel out those New Year’s Resolutions!)

A Danish gal in my Brainbook Community Facebook Group loves practicing Hygge and recently shared her own tips to help us make the most of this cozy trend!

As I’ve lit more candles around my home, cozied up on the couch surrounded by blankets, and set aside my phone in lieu of conversation, something magical has happened: I’ve felt happier and more fulfilled.

Instead of wanting, I am learning to appreciate what I have.

It’s no wonder Denmark is listed as the happiest country in the world. They’ve already figured out that life’s simplest pleasures are often the most rewarding.

You and I just have to be willing to pursue it.

Have you heard of Hygge before?

 

Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Rest assured, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Read my full disclosure policy here.

Happiness Secrets

The Little Book of Hygge introduces you to the philosophy of Danish life and offers tips and advice to create a consciously cozy atmosphere in your own home.
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Comments

  1. Kristen @ Joyfully Thriving says

    January 21 at 1:55 pm

    I’m definitely intrigued. This book has been on my to read list for months! I need to put it on hold at the library, because I love what I know – and what you’ve shared – already!

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      January 22 at 1:31 am

      I really hope you enjoy this one!

      Reply
  2. Jenny says

    January 22 at 10:50 am

    I’ve never heard of hygge before, but love the idea!

    Reply
  3. Sarah | A Simple and Contented Life says

    January 30 at 8:06 am

    I love the concept of Hygge (…although I always want to pronounce it Higgy!). My husband bought me The Little Book of Hygge for Christmas the year before last and I’ve been hooked ever since. So much so that Hygge is my guiding word for 2018. This year I want to unplug more, slow things down, embrace the quiet and just enjoy the comfort of everything I already have 🙂

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      February 4 at 6:42 pm

      It’s so easy to miss life because we are too busy. 🙂

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Kalyn—a recovering perfectionist who nerds out about organizing systems, personal productivity, and helping you prioritize what matters over the pressure to do it all. I have a feeling we’re about to become the best of friends! Learn more >>

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👩‍💻 | I help value-driven women lead manageable + meaningful lives.
💬 | INFJ / Enneagram 1
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I wrote this in my journal the other day: 📓⁣

I wrote this in my journal the other day: 📓⁣ ⁣ “I’ve been thinking about what tech boundaries I want to instill, including boundaries related to work and productivity. I’ve become less careful about my media consumption, and it’s having a negative affect on my mental health.” 💞⁣ ⁣ Have you ever felt a similar tug? ⁣ ⁣ I can’t begin to tell you how many times I pick up my phone because I’m bored or lonely or jealous or unhappy. It almost always makes me feel worse. And yet...I struggle to stop. 😝⁣ ⁣ Here are the ideas I’ve been trying this month and I’m already seeing a positive effect:⁣ ⁣ ➕ No logging into social media after 8pm. I need to wind down for the night, not get lost in my phone! 📲⁣ ➕ Open Instagram with a purpose—either to post or to interact. Stop endlessly scrolling.⁣ ➕ My only screen time before 9am should be for Bible Study apps or News. 🗞⁣ ➕ Turn my phone on Do Not Disturb during Tiger Time (when I need the most focus for work) 💪⁣ ➕ Work no more than 4 hours on my business per day. If a task isn’t complete, push it to the next day. This time frame has really helped me prioritize! 💻⁣ ➕ Watch one show per day (or two if they are short!) and leave movies for the weekend. 📺⁣ ⁣ What tech boundaries have you set up? Are any new as of this year? I’d love to hear your ideas! 😃

What’s one thing you budget for that other peopl
What’s one thing you budget for that other people might not? I always find those interesting. 😃⁣ ⁣ You might have a mortgage. I budget for campgrounds. You might want a separate clothing budget, while I’m fine combining it under “Beauty and Style.” Recently, we also added a new line item for our motorcycle—something I NEVER thought would appear in our budget. ⁣ ⁣ See, we’re all different! ⁣ ⁣ Recently, I rearranged my budget categories and created this “cheat sheet.” Sometimes I forget where things go, like picking up new wall art for the living room. Does this item belong in the categories of Household Items or Home Maintenance? 🤔⁣ ⁣ Now I know! And I save time processing receipts each Friday. 🧾⁣ ⁣ What budgeting categories do you use? Share one of your random budget line items with me in the comments below! 😃

I call 2020 the Year of Abandoned Books. ⁣
⁣
I

I call 2020 the Year of Abandoned Books. ⁣ ⁣ I’m never afraid to stop reading a book if it doesn’t live up to the hype. Why invest more time in a book I’m not all that excited about when I could be exploring new authors and storylines where I can’t wait to turn the page? 🤷⁣ ⁣ But in 2020, I let more books go than I normally do. I suppose my patience dwindled when I thought the world was ending. Not that I thought the world was actually ending…but you know what I mean. 😉⁣ ⁣ As an Enneagram 1, I hate giving up on a book. I’m prone to the all-or-nothing mentality, even in my reading habits. My eyes could glaze over boring prose and I’d still repeat to myself: “You MUST finish this book!” 😫⁣ ⁣ Why? ⁣ ⁣ No one is adding a plastic star to your Book-It pin, (Remember those?) This isn’t assigned reading from your high school English class. This is YOUR reading life. ⁣ ⁣ And YOU should choose what books deserve your attention. 📚⁣ ⁣ There are too many good ones out there anyway. Like one of my favorite reads from 2020. 😍⁣ ⁣ This week’s newest blog post rounds up everything I read last year (43 books total!) including 5-star psychological thrillers, a delightful royal series, a couple self-help books, and of course, historical fiction.⁣ ⁣ Click the link in my bio to read it! ☝⁣ ⁣ What were your favorite books in 2020? Our literary styles might be a match made in heaven! ✨

My planner/journal lineup for 2021. 👆 ⁣
⁣
T

My planner/journal lineup for 2021. 👆 ⁣ ⁣ These small but mighty sidekicks will be my saving grace this year. 📚⁣ ⁣ 1️⃣ Bullet Journal (Blue) - for everyday planning and goal setting⁣ 2️⃣ Regular Journal (Yellow) - to track gratitude (5 things a day!) and to process ALL the feelings⁣ 3️⃣ Growth Journal (Sand) - a space for me to brain dump everything I learn from books, podcasts, sermons, etc ⁣ ⁣ That last one is new to me as of this year and I can't wait to flip back through all my notes come December! 📆⁣ ⁣ What planners/journals are you using for 2021?

Self-care is just as important as making your famo
Self-care is just as important as making your famous sugar cookies this holiday season. 🍪⁣ ⁣ Because let’s be real. ⁣ ⁣ That Hallmark-esque Christmas magic disappears the moment disagreeable family members annoy you. Or when you feel irritable over too many late nights and little-to-no sleep. Or when expectations over meals and traditions and social activities fall short and leave you feeling disappointed. 😬⁣ ⁣ But instead of dwelling on these stressful moments and using them as an excuse to completely disconnect from reality (as I’m often tempted to do!), view them as an opportunity for you to respond with poise. 💞⁣ ⁣ ➕ Journal your feelings. ⁣ ➕ Go for a walk. ⁣ ➕ Prioritize what’s essential. ⁣ ➕ Remember to breathe.⁣ ➕ And try not to eat your feelings…okay?⁣ ⁣ Here’s your permission slip if you need one: You don’t need to do or participate in everything! Take a time out when you need it. 🙌⁣ ⁣ That’s the best way you can protect your emotional well-being over the next few days.⁣ ⁣ Merry Christmas, friends! 🎄


I know you’re ready for this year to be over. 🙋‍♀️ The last twelve months brought so many hard things into our lives—relationships were lost, our country became more broken and divided than ever, and oh yeah, we walked through a pandemic too. 🦠 🤯 No biggie, right? Ha! 😅 And while it’s easy to look back and wish we could skip 2020 altogether (or at least insist on a do-over), I don’t want this year to be the one where the hard overcame the good. 💕 Just as hard days don’t mean ruined days, hard years don’t mean ruined years. 2020 can still be good. 💪 For me, I want to remember the fun and exciting things we did. The adventures we had. The new shows we watched, and the books we read. The new life hacks and things I discovered that made my life easier or just brought me joy. 💞 You’ll find it all in my latest blog post (link in profile). If you still need to buy a gift for a loved one (or for yourself!), you’ll find plenty of fun and affordable ideas to fill up the rest of your gifting list. 📦 Otherwise, enjoy a stroll down the good side of 2020’s memory lane and leave your favorite things in the comments so I can try them. 👋


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