Hygge in every culture
The concept of ‘hygge’, which I feel, exists in every culture with a different name and a different tradition. Hygge is the feeling of contentment in a simple and happy state of mind with our family or close friends or our partner or just ourselves, feeling safe and relaxed (Linnet, 2011). Pronounced as “hue-gah” or “hoo-guh,”. An article in Guardian by Charlotte Higgins, “The hygge conspiracy”, analyses the sudden popularity of the Danish concept of hygge and the reasons behind this. The article also dives deep into trying to understand the origin of the ‘conspiracy’ and how it has developed over time through the British culture and time giving a new turn to the concept worldwide. The author not only talks about the positive side of the Hygge concept but also shares some examples and reflects on how this concept can be negative too. She writes about how the hygge practice in the Danish culture can seclude an outsider while they enjoy ‘hyggelig’ life among themselves. Higgins, herself a British born, has noticed the manipulation of words and meanings while advertising the Danish concept of hygge.
Hygge is more about feeling and emotions than objects and furnishing. No doubt that the surroundings, decor, and furnishing add up to the feeling of being at home, which means being in peace and relaxed state. The article by Higgins has been carefully woven and made some valuable points that we often do not understand as outsiders. A person who is new to this concept may assume that hygge is all about baking a cake and wearing a woolen sock and having hot marshmallow chocolate by the fireplace. That does sound like hygge, but what is important here is the state of mind, which should be able to feel relaxed and happy. One can be drinking marshmallow hot chocolate by the fireplace and still not experience ‘hygge’ if the person is not relaxing and is constantly worried about the work or assignment. Also, according to me, hygge has nothing to do about a grand lifestyle and chic interiors. Advertisements often show otherwise, but the true value of hygge lies in simplicity and enjoying it. Charlotte, mentions how various commercials advertise the concept of hygge and associate it with wine, wallpaper, skincare, sweaters, candles, furniture, and even holiday packages at ‘shepherd’s hut’. This often creates an image in our mind that hygge is ‘supposed’ to be experienced in these ways only. She says, “The Eurosceptic Daily Telegraph ran an article suggesting that readers adopt a “bracingly British” version of the trend — brygge.”. On the contrary, I feel that every individual has their own way of experiencing hygge, but the only thing that matters is the feeling that hides behind the concept of hygge and activities that represent hygge.
Initially, when I was introduced to the term Hygge, I looked online and vaguely understood the commercialized concept of Hygge. Little did I know the true meaning of experiencing hygge. Later, I understood that hygge is about being in the moment, sharing stories, participating in a relaxed manner of joking (not having to talk about any thorny topic and making jokes that should not hurt other's feelings), feeling the surroundings, and most importantly embracing the warmth of that moment, be it emotionally or physically (Linnet, 2011). I felt the moment of hygge when I was walking the trail with my close friends to have a small picnic, and on the walk, I was feeling content and relaxed. I hugged a tree and felt the warmth of nature embracing me. We were not carrying any blankets or scented candles, yet we felt a relaxed state of mind and enjoyed the peacefulness together, talking, walking, singing, and sharing stories. That was our hygge and it felt good to be able to achieve the concept of hygge in Vancouver, far away from Denmark.
Charlotte Higgins mentions Meik Wiking writing Hygge as the second Viking invasion and she denies it saying that hygge has been reimported by the “Britons”, which I believe fits the scenario and the British might have advertised hygge in such a ‘cozy’ way to the world that now hygge makes us think of candles and socks. But Higgins takes us, the readers, deep into the meaning of the original version of experiencing hygge. She also narrates how the sudden popularity of this word meant to Danish people even though its origin can be traced back to Norwegian culture.
Hygge also tends to portray the picture of a high-end lifestyle, but in reality, hygge is supposed to be the epitome of mediocre living with a sense of completeness in it. The way I experienced hygge in several activities, does not involve ‘boho’ furniture or store-bought hygge product. I would rather describe hygge as, eating homemade sandwiches with just a handful of close friends at a park or at the beach, talking about good days, joking, sharing, feeling good in the natural environment and being present at the moment relaxing and not worrying about anything. I would also call sitting with a book, alone, and enjoying the iced tea (I say ice-tea instead of hot chocolate or coffee because hygge is often associated with winter and feeling warm in blankets and drinking hot beverages) a form of hygge experience. But this will not be the best example from the Danish point of view.
It is true that British authors may have inspired the commercialized the idea of hygge and now most brands use hygge to advertise their products, but the original concept of hygge is present in every culture, just the name is different along with some tiny details. In Hinduism, during Puja (the ritual of worshiping Gods and Goddesses) the family comes together, with friends and relatives. They lit candles or diyas (burning cotton rolls, dipped in oil, over earthen pots), burn incense sticks, engage in happy conversations, meet and greet each other, cooked together and enjoy the meal and desserts. This is also ‘hygge’ by definition, but it is called Puja and it originated in Hinduism. I believe every culture has its own form of hygge. Only because of the recent advertisements hygge has been overly commercialized and thus it is losing its original meaning and value.
Lastly, 2016 has seen several catastrophes globally and thus the term was born, “uhygge”. Uhygge means the opposite of hygge, darkness and feeling stressed. Therefore, after these hard times, hygge has taken over globally, emphasizing the emotions and feeling of having hope and contentment in the situations of life. I believe that hygge may have been branded and hyped about in social media and for commercial purposes, but the concept of hygge is also important in our life with the ongoing post-pandemic situations globally. Some may interpret the idea of hygge differently, while some may benefit from practicing hygge. Some may eat more Danish cakes while some make bake their sugar-free cake at home and enjoy it with their grandmother. It is all about living in the moment and enjoying what we are doing. In other words, the concept is similar to the Japanese concept of feeling Zen. Thus, again making my point that every culture has something similar to Hygge, we might not have explored them as often or commercialized them like Hygge, but it exists. And we all have been practicing hygge unknowingly. The term hygge may be branded and has been used for advertising, but it also did bring out a sense of happiness and give people around the world the scope to experience happiness or ‘coziness’.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Higgins, C. (November 22, 2016) The hygge conspiracy, The Guardian
Linnet, J. T. (2011). Money Can’t Buy Me Hygge, Social Analysis, 55(2), 21– 44. Retrieved Feb 20, 2023, from https://www.berghahnjournals.com/view/journals/social-analysis/55/2/sa550202.xml
