We have this beautiful annual practice. I hadn't realized the proper name for it. Since moving to Georgia, we simply piled in hearty food and sweet smelling candles, fun games and cozy flannel shirts for a weekend mountain cabin escape.
The Danish have a word for it.
Hygge.
Coziness in life's simple moments.
Encouraging us to be present in the moment. Let go of expectations. Of commitments, judgements, and all the other "ments" of the season.
Easier said than done, right? I feel the pull more often than not to be doing everything all at once. To be more organized. To get more done. Inevitably I come to the understanding that all of it is too much.
You'll find me sitting on the floor at this stage. Likely with head against the wall and arms outstretched to the universe, questioning why there's not enough time in the day for all of these micromanaged tasks? Overwhelmed and exhausted by the unrealistic expectations that I place on myself.
Sound familiar?
We do too much. Our prioritized, task managing brain forgets that we have a choice. After all, the world will not collapse if we let go a little more often.
Beauty isn't complicated. It's simply underneath the busy layers that we build up around us. I try to remind myself that moments matter. Looking back to our weekend in the mountains, I smile easily on the memory. The day that we spent out on the screened in porch, sipping drinks, playing games and truly living in the moment. I hope to slow down this holiday season, and make Hygge a regular practice.
The thing is, you don't need a cabin or mountain for this feeling. Perhaps some flickering twinkle lights and hot chocolate. Definitely pajamas. And most importantly each other.
The Danish have a word for it.
Hygge.
Coziness in life's simple moments.
Encouraging us to be present in the moment. Let go of expectations. Of commitments, judgements, and all the other "ments" of the season.
Embrace the opportunities to gather together. To sip a warm mug of cider (or mimosa). Bring out the crochet hooks. Watch flickering candles dance in shadowed corners. Turn off the electronic devices. Read a book at an unhurried pace. Slow down.
Easier said than done, right? I feel the pull more often than not to be doing everything all at once. To be more organized. To get more done. Inevitably I come to the understanding that all of it is too much.
You'll find me sitting on the floor at this stage. Likely with head against the wall and arms outstretched to the universe, questioning why there's not enough time in the day for all of these micromanaged tasks? Overwhelmed and exhausted by the unrealistic expectations that I place on myself.
Sound familiar?
We do too much. Our prioritized, task managing brain forgets that we have a choice. After all, the world will not collapse if we let go a little more often.
Beauty isn't complicated. It's simply underneath the busy layers that we build up around us. I try to remind myself that moments matter. Looking back to our weekend in the mountains, I smile easily on the memory. The day that we spent out on the screened in porch, sipping drinks, playing games and truly living in the moment. I hope to slow down this holiday season, and make Hygge a regular practice.
The thing is, you don't need a cabin or mountain for this feeling. Perhaps some flickering twinkle lights and hot chocolate. Definitely pajamas. And most importantly each other.
