Podcast S1E7: How to Have a Hygge January
Current Projects
Theresa: Evja Mittens by Skeindeer Knits (knitting colorwork), working on her sketchbook
Cecelia: Casting on her second Hibernal DK Sock. (Listen to our podcast about it here! Or read my pattern review for it here.)
Fun Question: Are you a candle person?
Theresa: We love to do a candle lit dinner during dark months. Only do an essential oil candle during the holidays. Can’t do strong scents.
Cecelia: Wish I did more candles. Sometimes the scents are too intense.
What is Hygge?
- Definition: “you don’t spell it, you feel it” – coziness & slow
- Things focused on: lighting, comfort, sweets, hot drink, friends (no drama)
- It’s what I think of as a great seasonal moment
Why is January a good time to focus on Hygge?
- Its DARK
- No longer have the holidays for joy
- Stuck inside (its COLD)
- BRINGS JOY
How to Implement Hygge into your life (deep dive)
- Lifekit episode “How to Actually Look Forward to Winter”
- How to Winter: Harness your mindset to thrive on cold, dark or difficult days by Kari Lebowitz
- “The Little Book of Hygge” by Meik Wiking
- Author works at Happiness Research Institute
- Main Components
- Light (Candles, lamps, fireplaces)
- Food/Drink (tea, hot chocolate, sweet treats)
- Feeling Warm (wool sweaters, fluffy socks, cozy blankets)
- Social (board games, music, sharing food with friends)
- Slow Activity (reading, knitting, embroidery)
- Quintessential Hygge:
- Snuggled up with a tea under a quilt by a nice lamp and a candle while reading or knitting
- Hanging out with one or two other friends at a table lit by candles eating cake and drinking hot chocolate
- Hygge during the summer?
- Yes! It is what “FEELS” like summer:
- Farmers market, bon fires, fairy lights on a patio, eating outside at restaurants
How are WE implementing Hygge?
- Theresa
- “Cozy” is a big word for us – cozy in bed, cozy in the morning, cozy while playing
- Always trying to be warm – leaning into slippers, sweaters, quilted jacket, scarves, blankets
- Trying to add more layered lighting (more smaller lamps)
- Leaning into candles, like the beeswax candles that I made on my blog!
- Adding more art to my home
- Leftover Christmas cookies in the freezer for a quick treat
- Bake a lot – bread & snacks (make food special: Swedish Pancakes, muffins)
- Really into herbal teas this year (Missoula Tea Company, Foraged & Sown)
- Leave the house as little as possible, especially if it snows!
- Cecelia:
- Spend a little extra time in bed – mostly before my usual bedtime with a cup of tea and my book
- More lighting – enjoying the daylight and as soon as it gets dark, pulling the curtains and turning on the mood lighting
- Soups and stews and anything and everything on the oven that takes time – bread especially!
- ENJOYING THE SNOW
