Embracing Hygge During Quarantine

I wanted to start this post off by saying that I am NOT taking the threat of COVID-19 lightly. I don’t want to talk about the negative aspects of this pandemic, there’s too much of that out there.

What I DO want to talk about the fact that the biggest thing people can do right now to stay safe and healthy is to just STAY HOME as much as they can. With staying home, comes the exciting opportunity to make it as cozy, comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
Enter: HYGGE

Don’t know what hygge (pron: hue-guh) is?
Here’s the definition: A quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.
And here’s the manifesto that breaks it down. >

The Hygge Manifesto Ten Key Elements to a Hygge Life

Now that you have a fresh reminder of the basic elements that Hygge engenders, we can get down to business:
Embracing Hygge During a World-Wide Pandemic.
Woah, never thought I’d be writing this post.
The following is a checklist of basic things you can do/have to make your time away from the world a little more cozy.

The Hygge Quarantine Checklist 13 checklist items to make sure your lockdown is as hygge as possible
  1. Comfy Blankets:
    Because, well, they make everything better!
  2. Books, Notebooks & Games:
    Entertain yourself in ways that are outside of your norm.
  3. Nourishing Food:
    Keeping your immune system healthy has never been more important.
  4. Sweet Treats:
    Find some basic comfort in your favorite dessert. You deserve it.
  5. Unscented Candles:
    Candles create a relaxing and comforting glow that will bring you the calm you need right now.
  6. Hot Tea, Cider & Coffee:
    Just like comfy blankets, a hot drink will help soothe your stressed soul.
  7. Clean, Open Windows:
    Letting in natural light and fresh air is extremely important in times like these. Take all the fresh air you can get!
  8. Cute, Cozy Loungewear:
    Because if you can’t leave the house, you might as well wear something cute & comfortable to lift your spirits.
  9. Indoor & Outdoor “Hang Spot”:
    If you set up a spot with pillows, blankets, and a place to put your feet.. You’re more likely to spend time there. Find your “hyggekrog”.
  10. Charged Phone & Laptop:
    So, usually your phone & computer wouldn’t be part of a hygge checklist.. But while in quarantine, or practicing social distancing, it’s important to stay in touch with the people you love.
  11. A Safe, Drama Free Environment:
    Turn off the news! Get off Facebook for awhile! You cannot be comfortable and at peace if you’re constantly stressing out.
  12. A Fun and Comforting Playlist:
    Your favorite music will momentarily melt your worries away.
  13. Toilet Paper:
    If you can find it, that is. Hah.

Hopefully this post helps you understand the importance of making your environment warm and inviting in such a turbulent, unknown time. Implementing the Hygge lifestyle will not only bring you peace, but will bring unexpected joy to the little things in your life.

Stay safe out there, we’re going to make it through this.

August Hygge Challenge

So it’s the middle of summer; the cozy-lover’s nightmare.

It’s hot, sweaty, sunny and busy everywhere… and if you’re anything like me, you’re missing the cozy environments and activities that seem to be present in every OTHER season..

But no one said you couldn’t embrace the hygge lifestyle in the summer. If anything, it’s important to find ways to embrace this lifestyle in the summer, especially if you’re not a “summer person”. Need a little brush-up on exactly what hygge (pron.: hoo-guh) is? Check out a few of my last blog posts Hygge Part 1 and Hygge Part 2!

Here are 8 hygge-centered things that I challenge you to do before the long days and summer heat fade into even longer nights and crisp leaves:

  1. Read a Self-Help Book:
    It’s good for you. It opens your mind to new ideas, new concepts, and new ways of thinking. Plus, we all need a little help. Reading is a super hygge activity in itself, and reading to better yourself makes it so much more rewarding.
  2. Play in the Lake:
    Cold water, hot sun, laughter and play. There’s something surprisingly cozy about a day at the lake. Get out, dry off with a big fluffy towel, have a snack, and breathe it all in.
  3. Deep Clean the House:
    I know what you’re thinking… Cleaning!? How in the F*#k is that hygge? Well everyone knows how good it feels when the house is clean. Ultimate relaxation and comfort often comes after making your environment clean and tidy. Kick those feet up and relax now, it’s alllllll clean.
  4. Do Something You Did as a Kid:
    Run through the sprinkler. Jump on a trampoline. Ride your bicycle aimlessly and curiously through the streets. Write in a diary. Eat a hot fudge sunday. Nostalgia is good for the soul, and very, very hygge.
  5. Have a Pot-Luck:
    Round up your favorite people and tell them to bring their FAVORITE dish ever. No big plan, no theme to the meal. Just eat yummy food and enjoy the company. Unplug and tell stories, and listen to other’s stories. Take it all in. This is where memories are made.
  6. Get a Summery Candle:
    I’m burning “blushing amber” right now. It’s sweet mix of floral and musk, reminiscent of watermelon hard candies, grandma’s perfume and a flower garden. Sweet cinnamon pumpkin can wait until October, I promise.
  7. Go to a Farmer’s Market:
    Just go wander around. People put a lot of work into the unique things they’re selling, appreciate it. Buy a few things, sip a coffee or some lemonade. Wear a big sun hat. Embrace that “day at the farmer’s market” like first-season Jess from New Girl would. Your heart will feel warm and fuzzy, I promise.
  8. Lay Out and Star Gaze:
    Nothing crazy. Throw a blanket down… just for a bit. 5 minutes even. Look at those things up there. Wow. When was the last time you did?

I challenge you to do some or all of these things before the end of September. Even if it’s just one. I’d love to hear how they make you feel.

I do not own most of the photos in this post, you can find the source of most of them here.

A Coffee Shop Shoot

When Meggan of Meggan Jessat Photography suggested we do a photo shoot, my first thought was “Ohhhhh! Coffee Shop!”. I’ve always wanted to do a photo shoot in a dimly lit coffee shop with great natural light and exposed brick. Que the little gem downtown Kalispell we call Colter Coffee.

We met up, “bright” and early on a Saturday morning. The weather was doing that dreary, depressing thing that I love so much. Meggan needed a little snack because she’s a busy AF, badass momma who has a lot of shit to do, okay? We sat by the window while she munched her delicious looking wrap, and we got to know each other a little better.

Then, all of the sudden, like it was just a natural thing that you do when you’re out with a friend…. She started taking my picture.

It was so easy. So natural. I just hung out, and she took my photo.
And that’s how you know you’ve found a good photographer.

Plus, I mean, come on….. look at these photos.

I seriously recommend Meggan for photos. Click here to check out her website, here to check her out on Facebook and here to see her Instagram!

She edits her photos so naturally, she’s bubbly and sweet, and she will NOT disappoint.

She’s going places, people!