"a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture)"
...and when I saw an online professional development course offered on adding hygge into the classroom, I was intrigued. I am adulting so hard right now that this is actually the only thing I bought on sale over the Thanksgiving weekend!
I have always had an appreciation for spaces in classrooms and homes that are aesthetically pleasing. I have not, however, always had a talent in implementing that. I get what I call Pinterest or Instagram Syndrome and from there, complete paralysis. Additionally, setting up shop in a small space and on a limited budget and with lots of little people involved brings forth unique challenges. I went into this course thinking I'd get some design ideas (and I did), but more of what I got was the distinct desire to do less.
I can remember some years back when I was running a peer group for parents and professionals working with children that "after hours" on session, a woman I greatly admire who was in her late 40s at the time shared the following:
"When I grow up, I want to do less."
That expression stuck with me like gum to the bottom of a shoe.
Hygge is a word that is hard to pronounce, harder to define, but easy to implement. It is more about adding in elements that bring you joy and comfort rather than banishing everything that does not. It is more about connecting the sacred to the mundane rather than saving "special things" for "special occasions." And in these darker months, I have such a desire to draw in. Such a longing to slow down. But there's such a lengthy list of things to do from which very little, if any at all can be crossed off.
So I gave myself permission to drink tea while I do afternoon carpool. To knit while my children are still awake. I put in the effort and time to set up our play space with some of our favorite traditional December play themes. I even created a teeny tiny cozy corner for the kids to read and snuggle up in. And I also "cleaned up" the Eiffel Tower of STUFF on the side tables next to my own cozy space on the couch. And by "cleaned up," I mean I stuffed it all in a tote bag in the back of a closet location that shall not be disclosed. Because it was more important right now to turn on my salt lamp, light a favorite candle and be present with the people I set up this home for.
These winter months are filled with reasons to celebrate. Holidays, birthdays, gatherings and more. It's a great deal of fun and not necessarily designed for those of us who may be more introverted. So I cling to a favorite mug and the soft textures of wool yarn and re-reading the Little House on the Prairie books for the millionth time because I want to do less. And today--I will!
Today, the boys will have a coveted movie night. They will probably want to watch it in their new Cozy Corner. We will drink hot cider and eat peanut butter toast for snack. I might "get stuff done" or I might just slip my feet into some really warm socks, sit on the couch and snuggle up with a cozy kid or baby or ball of yarn...
Maria Kondo would probably have a picnic at my house. I've been told my living room resembles a preschool classroom; I take this as a compliment. But truthfully, following "rules" of interior design is not my strong suit. I'm a both/and kind of gal in every sense of the word. Which is why the concept of hygge speaks so much to me. There's not a specific definition of what is in the environment but rather the meaning that it holds to each person in that space. There's not a regimen of things to do but rather a feeling of contentment that should be present regardless of what you are doing. So I won't be minimizing my book collection to only 30 volumes (I balk at the thought of this), but I will be clinging more closely to things that spark joy in me and the people who spark joy as well. I love that the concept of incorporating hygge into a space involves making that space accessible to everyone in it (how Montessori of the Danish to include this!) I do have a decent skill set in setting up our home to be functional for the kids and sometimes the adults--but what gets lost in the shuffle sometimes is my own presence in it.
So today I will do less. And maybe tomorrow, too. And perhaps I'll play a bit instead of just watching from the sidelines. And maybe you will try it, too...
Happy Playing!
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