The first thing that comes to mind when I hear hygge is “cozy”, and I’d be willing to bet that a lot of other people feel the same. So how do we hygge in the spring? It’s not exactly the time of year that I want to light some candles and hunker down under my winter blankets*.
Hygge is probably easiest to experience when there’s a winter storm raging outside but you are tucked away inside with the people you love while sipping a large mug of hot cocoa while buried underneath a mountain of blankets. That said, it is certainly not impossible to experience hygge any other time of year. Some of the many definitions of hygge include:
“ a calm, comfortable time with people you love”
“enjoying life’s simple pleasures”
“the art of building sanctuary and community”
So. How do we Hygge in the Spring? Here are a few ideas:
Celebrate the Spring Equinox: Welcome in the new season (and the start of the energetic new year) by meditating and appreciating what spring will bring. Expressing gratitude is a wonderful way to create a hygge atmosphere.
Spring Cleaning: The idea of a hygge home is that it is a place to rest. relax, and recharge away from the outside world. Hard to do if your home is just as chaotic! Take time to clear away all that doesn’t serve you anymore.
Get in the Garden: Nature is huge in hygge! Get outside, clear your space of winter’s leftovers, and plant some flowers!
Take a Nature Hike: Alone or with a friend, get out and take a walk in nature. Take it slow. Look for cool rocks. Observe the moss on the trees. Listen for birds and other creatures. Collect fallen leaves, twigs, and pinecones and take them home to decorate your space.
Fresh Florals: Fill your home with fresh flowers (or plants)! Either from your nature hike, your garden, or from your favorite local plant shop/flower bar!
Tea Party: Hygge is hard to do alone (some may even argue that it’s impossible). Invite friends and family to simply spend time together over an unrushed cup of tea. Or go bigger! Encourage everyone to bring their favorite spring recipe and make it a potluck.
It’s all about the slow, intentional process. Spending time making a meal from scratch - or, if you’re like me - baking a cake. I made a very yummy Strawberry and Chamomile cake (recipe from Half Baked Harvest) to try and manifest some warm spring weather. Maybe you could give it a go as well?
*This year I could make an exception. Let the record reflect that the spring equinox of 2023 started out at a toe-numbing 22 degrees fahrenheit.
