21 Days Hygge Challenge

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I would guess a lot of you has come across the entire "hygge"-trend in the last year or so. Even though the focus has been on the Danes in most of the articles etc, we do have the same concept in Norway, though a lot of us Norwegians use the word "koselig" instead. The French blogger behind A Frog in the Fjord has written a post about the concept here.

Stock photo from Pexels

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept, it is partially about the warm, cozy, welcoming feeling. Let's face it; Norway, at least the area where I live, aren't blessed with nice and warm weather all year around (we often do have both rain and sun - sometimes even at the same time - during one day), so we often need a bit of a mental "pick me up" in one way or another. There's a reason why Norwegians often seem reserved at times - there is no fun in being outdoors when the rain rains horizontal. Needless to point out; the Norwegian saying "There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes" is busted, though this specific mentality of making the most/best out of a situation is crucial.

Meik Wiking, who has written The Little Book of Hygge : The Danish Way to Live Well, points out 10 important pillars in terms of all things hygge/koselig; atmosphere, presence, pleasure, equality, gratitude, harmony, comfort, truce, togetherness, and shelter. Look at hygge/koselig as creating intimacy of the soul infused with warmth and presence while celebrating the everyday things. In a sense one can claim that hygge/koselig is a Scandinavian form of mindfulness.

Now, over to the 21 days hygge challenge. I wanted to create a challenge you all can participate in, if you want to tap into the concept of hygge/koselig, starting today. If you are in Instagram, feel free to take some photos and use the hashtag #addnorlifehyggechallenge.

1. Light some candles, whether it's some simple white ones or one with a fancy scent.
2. Have breakfast in bed. There is a certain luxury in spending some extra time in bed, so feel free to make a cozy space with plenty of layers; pillows, blankets, you name it.
3. If you are fortunate enough to have a woodburning fireplace, light a fire tonight and just relax in front of it.
4. Add some wooden home decor, like these wooden candle holders found at Etsy.
5. Try a new cooking or baking recipe, esp if it is some kind of comfort food.
6. Add a blanket/throw of wool to your home. Lucky Hanks at Etsy has some really nice ones.
7. Invite a few close friends over for an informal get-together. Bonus if it's over some yummy wine and a board game.
8. Banish the clutter. It is so much easier to relax and breath in more ways than one if there is no clutter around (IKEA has a lot of fun and fancy storage solutions) and let us be real; there is a reason why Marie Kondo has sold millions of her bestselling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
9. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate while relaxing.
10. Go for a hike WITHOUT the cell-phone/ipod/fancy gadgets. Allow your senses to take in the scenery by sight, sound, scent etc (photo camera allowed).
11. Display some of your treasured memories. Family/vacation photos, concert/theatre prints, you name it. Find a nice way to display those memories.
12. Embrace the old and imperfect. There is something about an old handknitted blanket that your grandmother has made that states hygge more than multiple brand new designer lamps.
13. Unplug for an evening and invite som friends over. Cheese and wine or board game night?
14. Find a place you can volunteer (and actually volunteer), either at a soup kitchen, a women's shelter, an animal shelter or somewhere else close to heart.
15. Have a "me" weekend - do whatever that is "you": take a bubble bath, read a good book, have an alone-date at a museum or a coffee shop...
16. Buy yourself some nice flowers and put them in a vase. They doesn't have to cost a fortune.
17. Create something; it could be a painting, do some knitting or another creative outlet you enjoy doing.
18. Write a letter to someone and post it; it could be to an international pen friend or it could be your grandmother. It's up to you (though pen friend and grandmother are just suggestions).
19. Plant those bulbs that will grow in the spring, like daffodils and tulips. There is something soothing to do some gardening.
20. Make a cozy nook in your home. Think a comfy chair, a blanket and a small side-table to put your tea and book.
21. Buy or knit some comfy socks. At this time of year, some socks to keep your toes toasty is almost a "must".

If you want to read more about hygge, feel free to check out these articles; 12 Ways To Create The Danish Hygge Look At Home, Spring Hygge - 10 Ways to Keep Things Cozy, What is Hygge?, Embracing Hygge On a Budget, The Complete Guide to Hygge: 20 Cosy Touches to Add to Your Decor and What Is Hygge and How Can You Get It?.

What is your thoughts on hygge/koselig? Are you familiar with it? Feel free to comment below.