Hygge (pronounced hue-guh) is the Danish word used to describe times when you take a second to acknowledge a feeling of coziness or take note of something being full of charm or significantly wonderful. An example of hygge could be when, after a long day, you climb into bed and appreciate how soft your pillow is and how good it feels to finally lay down. Another example might be when you are with your best friends, all cozy inside, laughing and playing cards, causing you to take a second to think about how happy you are that these people exist at the same time as you. Whether you are with others or by yourself, at home or out and about, hygge helps you to appreciate a cozy moment when you realize how wonderful it is to be alive.
I’ve put together a list of some of the best (tried and true) ways for you to start getting all snuggled up and cozy this Autumn so you, too, can do as the Danes and get your hygge on!
1. Cozy up your living space
One of the easiest and most effective ways to really start feeling the hygge-like vibes of Autumn is to increase the cozy level of your space. Seriously, my apartment looks as if HomeSense threw up on it with the absurd amount of throw blankets and pillows my roommates and I have stockpiled on every sit-able surface we have. You can really get your hygge on by throwing soft, fuzzy blankets on chairs, couches or wherever else you see fit. I’ve also found that adding more pillows than necessary can really crank the hygge up a few notches! In addition to pillows and blankets, try using softer and warmer lights (especially in the evenings). Fairy/ twinkle/ string lights are the backbone of embracing a hygge style ambiance. Be sure not to forget about the musical contributions, as well. Anything with soft vocals or an acoustic guitar should suffice. I gravitate towards Ed Sheeran, John Mayer, The Lumineers and James Bay, but that is not at all mandatory. Whatever makes your heart happy and puts you in a good mood is exactly the Fall hygge vibes your space needs!
2. Harry Potter movie marathon
One of my favourite ways to kickstart my Autumn hygge is by having a Harry Potter movie marathon! All eight, no cheating. Go big or go home, right? While I know these movies don’t technically have anything to do with Halloween or Autumn, nothing makes me feel as cozy or October-esque as pretending I, too, am living out my Hufflepuff destiny studying magic at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. So, snuggle up close to the ones you love, grab your wand, make some hot chocolate and prepare for twenty cozy hours of spells, British accents and butterbeer!
3. Getting the aroma right
The easiest way I put myself into a more hygge centered mindset is by lighting a delicious, Fall-smelling candle. It is amazing how quickly your mood improves with the warmth of a flame and the smell of whatever your favourite Fall scent may be. Any vanilla, cinnamon, apple, pumpkin or baked-good-related scent will suffice! If candles aren’t your thing, you can try something like a Fall-scented diffuser, wall plug-in or body lotion! If you can, be sure to open a window to allow the scent to flow through your house on a gentle Autumn breeze, making every room smell delicious.
4. Get outside!
Another great (and perhaps the most effective) way to get into the Autumn hygge spirit is by taking a walk outside and seeing all of the beauty that this fantastic season has to offer. Picture this: you step out the door, the warmth of the sun hits your face and casts a beautiful golden light over everything and everyone you can see, the air is crisp with a slight breeze, all the leaves have begun changing colours and the few that have already fallen make a satisfying crunching sound as you walk to your favourite coffee shop to order your favourite warm drink. Sound nice? Soak up every last ounce of the beautiful Autumn weather and embrace all of the hygge Autumn vibes while you can! Grab your favourite people and head to the nearest Fall market, apple orchard, pumpkin patch, hiking trail or park! You won’t regret it.
So, there you go! Four simple ways for you to make the most of this Fall season by finding joy in the wonderful little moments that often go unnoticed and underappreciated. Here’s to making the most of this magical and tragically short season, cheers! Happy hygge!