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!