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Winter Happiness Month: 9 Ideas for Maximum Hygge

2/3/2018

12 Comments

 

February is a good month for quiet reflection, for daydreaming about all the newness spring could bring to you. But it's also a good month to create gentle, quiet, soft moments of happiness.

So I am declaring it Winter Happiness Month here at The Hygge Blog and will bring you several happiness practices I've read about that seem perfect for creating those kinds of moments.

For those of us still dealing with winter blues, we need all the moments of happiness we can create, right? So let's get started. :)

9 Ways to Fill Each Day with Hygge Moments

"Think of winter as your time to hibernate and your warm home as your bear cave. Use the winter as an excuse to do all of those things you’ve been putting off. Become an expert at hunkering down at home and getting as comfortable as possible." -Patrick Allan
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(1) Light a candle with a cozy scent you love
- when you first are getting up, if it's dark or you don't want to leave the warmth, creating light & a scent you'll smell while you're getting ready may help. Make it a tealight if you won't have time to savor a longer-burning one.

(2) Make a big cup of tea - and give yourself enough time to delight in it, without the pressure of having to hurry because of work or an errand that beckons.

(3) Curl up with a good book - on days when there's nowhere to go, curl up on the couch with a good book to read while you're sipping your tea.

(4) Eat something homemade for breakfast - a warm slice of bread, a cinnamon muffin or two, or a bowl of overnight oatmeal.

(5) Sunlight - take the kids for a walk in the sunshine or curl up with blankets on the window seat or balcony.

(6) Movies - many families save movie nights for weekends, but since letting yourself be captivated by a story not your own can be a great escape, watch a movie every day as a celebration of winter. Make your weekends date nights, if you'd like, and save the romantic comedies for them.

(7) Hot chocolate - whenever you need a pick-me-up or you want to create a treat. Maybe after that walk in the sun?

(8) Get together with friends you love - in person, for tea or other goodies, or by video, if you are far away. Spending treasured time with those you love will brighten even the gloomiest winter day, won't it?

(9) Make a vision board - just for this month, of all the ways you want to fill it with happy hygge moments. Choose pictures of the things you want to enjoy, so you'll see them more easily as you walk by it.

Having winter blues means that the winter months will be different for you than they might otherwise. So, I think it's a mistake to try to treat those months as if nothing is different.

You deserve happiness, too, even in the dead of winter!

Love to you this month!

Jeanine

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12 Comments
Kemkem link
2/4/2018 05:31:47 am

It is raining outside right now. I am curled up in bed with a blanket, having just finished my home made cinnabon (thanks to one of your blogs :-) ) and with laptop about to be switched to a cozy Kindle. Yeah for hygee :-)

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Jeanine Byers link
2/4/2018 12:48:48 pm

My goodness, that sounds wonderful!! You've just made me envious because my hygge day has not yet started. It's raining here, too, but I haven't made my tea or lit my candle...

Thanks for the nudge! :)

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Martha link
2/4/2018 09:37:02 am

What a great way to start the day! I love having candles going, my favorite is crackling cedar. Since I don't have a fireplace, this is the next best thing! Of course I always have my hot cocoa or tea with me!

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Jeanine Byers link
2/4/2018 12:52:08 pm

Ooh, that would be neat! I have a small stand meant for recipe books, I think, but I use it to prop up my iPad whenever I want a fake fireplace and I quite like it.

Okay, Martha! Now, you've done it. I must go make my tea right now. :)

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Shane Hennesey
2/4/2018 09:43:38 am

I love the idea of lighting a candle in the dark first thing

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Jeanine Byers link
2/4/2018 12:52:57 pm

Me, too! Soft lighting is so soothing.

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Alice Gerard link
2/4/2018 10:27:17 pm

I felt warm and comforted by a cup of tea that I just finished. I usually add lemon and honey to my tea but I waited too long at the farmers market before buying the honey. I bought orange marmalade and added a spoonful to the tea, along with lemon juice. Yum. So good.

Reply
Jeanine Byers link
2/5/2018 01:52:26 pm

Not sure I would add the lemon juice, but I love the idea of adding the orange marmalade! It reminds me of a cup of sweet tea I bought at a mall that had an orange slice added. I loved it! Glad you had a moment of comfort. :)

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Roy A Ackerman, PhD, EA link
2/5/2018 10:45:08 am

Your first four ideas left me cold- but sunshine (like today's glorious provision) during the day and movies after midnight work great in my book.

Reply
Jeanine Byers link
2/5/2018 01:53:26 pm

Awesome! And don't forget the hot chocolate. :)

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Stella Scott link
2/5/2018 01:30:21 pm

When it's still dark and gloomy outside in the morning I usually light a row of tea candles to go with the teapot. But today the sun was shining so no need.

You can already feel that the quality of the light is improving a bit.
:-D

Reply
Jeanine Byers link
2/5/2018 01:55:59 pm

Yes, it is! I've noticed that, too. But I love your row-of-candles thing. I have one tealight holder that I keep at my desk and am about to light now but have misplaced the one that held several. Sounds wonderful, though! :)

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    Hi, I'm Jeanine

    Author, hygge lifestyle blogger & connoisseur of delight writing about how to create a hygge lifestyle, with hearthcraft, comfy capsule wardrobe tips and cozy home decorating ideas. More here.
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  • Home
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    • Meet Jeanine
    • Hygge Lifestyle
    • Contact Jeanine
  • The Cozy Corner
    • The Reading Room >
      • Cozy Reading List
      • Jane Austen Retellings
  • The Tea Room
  • The Closet