Day #2 of Dreary to Combat with Hygge "Tools"

Another day of gray, of gloom, or dreary and wet in Michigan...but that's OK. With an arsenal of "tools" which I didn't realize were tools or components that I could use to feel better until recently, it really is OK. 

I will briefly list what comfort items I pull out on days when I am feeling gray and need a boost to feel like myself. 

Honestly, some days it takes a lot of work to get motivated to just pull out the tools. It is really easy to lay on the couch or on the bed and think about it and not do anything. Hello, depression. But push yourself and take one step and maybe the second won't be as hard. I speak from experience. 

My comfort items include:

candles

fleece blankets

thick socks

sweatshirts

yoga pants

comfort foods

comfort food recipes

pictures

tea bags

hot chocolate

mugs

This is just the short list. Your list might look completely different and that's fine too. You didn't realize all these things were comforting? See, you are already using principles of hygge and you didn't know it. 

If you didn't make the list from post #1, make it! What are 5 things in your living room that make you happy. If you can't find 5 things, you need to rearrange your rooms or find some!

Make a list of all things that bring you comfort. Next, we'll work on deliberately using those items throughout your day, week, life.

Welcome to Hygge in Michigan, Now What Is It?

Hygge - what in the world is hi-gee? Hygge - actually pronounced hue-guh - is a Danish practice of living. It incorporates coziness in to everyday life for feelings of contentedness and wellbeing.

Well, duh. Doesn't everybody try to be content and live well all the time? Maybe. Maybe not. I found I was already doing some of the practices recommended, but not intentionally or deliberately to create a mood that I looked forward to experiencing. For example, once I started to intentionally prepared for winter, it wasn't a season to dread, but one to look forward to because of what can be enjoyed during the cold, dark months of Michigan. Seriously. I like winter.

I will go more in to detail on exactly how I started changing bits of my - our - life in future posts. But first is the why. Depression and anxiety run through my family, and I have had both at times, sometimes worse bouts than others. I also have SAD, Seasonal Affect Disorder, so the dark days of January were that in all ways for me - dark. Dark moods. Dark thoughts. Dark days. One year, a few years back, I was simply tired of being tired and feeling like I was always in the dark. I started with the doctor and then did my own research and have found some solutions so I feel better. **This isn't in any way medical advice, so make sure you see a doctor first to get their advice. Hygge was something I stumbled across once Christmas day while reading and once I delved deeper, I was ready to move to Denmark.

OK, so I didn't move, but I did go shopping once I hit up my doctor. In short - vitamin D, candles, socks, blankets, books and food help me enjoy and actually look forward to winter hibernation. I'm actually looking forward to it now, as I write this piece! Hygge helped me to be deliberate and conscious about what I did, bought, ate, read and enjoyed, in every season, not just winter.

Every person will have different thoughts of what makes a living room cozy or what is comfortable to wear and that's fine. Hygge is YOUR feeling of comfort. It is ways that make YOU feel content, balanced and well. I'm going to help you discover what some of those ways are for you in upcoming posts. Your comfort and content will change as you grow, your family grows or your surroundings change, and that's ok too. Look for ways to be content in all seasons of your life and in all stages.

In the meantime, list five things in your living room that make you happy...and why!