Happy Tuesday, friends! It’s another edition of SHAY’S WAYS 🙂 .
Today’s post is inspired by one of the books I read this month…
…THE COZY LIFE WITH HYGGE by Pia Edberg.
I absolutely adore the concept of “hygge” (pronounced HOO-gah) and have blogged about it several times before.
It’s the Danish concept of coziness.
I mean, yes please!
In 2017, I read and reviewed Pia’s first book and loved it so much that since then, I have read several others on hygge.
In honor of this latest book being my favorite to date on the topic…
…(look how many pages I dog eared), I decided to share how I “hygge” in my everydays 🙂 . You guys, this book is so comprehensive and positively inspiring. Take this one quote I circled…“We need to pause once in a while, embrace the calm, and find joy in the small details, even in the tasks that seem so mundane.”.
Yes, yes, YES! I hope you all read the book too 🙂 .
Okay, here are my 21 FAVORITE WAYS TO ADD “HYGGE” INTO MY EVERYDAYS:
#1: CANDLES
It doesn’t matter the season or the temperature outside, scented candles are a big part of my day. I light them as soon as I wake up and as long as I’m home, I have one (or more!) lit. In the fall, they’re pumpkiny scents, in the winter, I’ll use pine…in the spring, I’ll burn lemon or vanilla and then in the summer, I like salty scents. The scents instantly put me in a good mood, help me celebrate/engage in that particular season, and make every space “cozy”. I love candles in the morning, at my desk and especially at night.
#2: LOW LIGHTING
I think I could honestly remove all of the overhead lighting in my house and just use lamps. Lamps are just so cozy and very inviting.
#3: COFFEE
For me, daily hygge involves something warm in my mug. I know some people drink lemon water or tea, but for me, it’s coffee.
#4: MUSIC
One time one of my kid’s friends told me that my house “sounded like a fancy hotel”. Um, thank you! I hadn’t really thought about it until then, but yes, that’s the vibe I’m going for. I want the soothing background music you would find at a really nice hotel. One that says “come inside and stay awhile” but at the same time, the music is in the background and not the forefront. For me, it’s Parisian Café Radio or classic “standards” on repeat.
#5: READING
Sitting down with an actual book (or Kindle!) is maybe my favorite way to hygge.
#6: THROWS
I love a throw blanket on a bed, on a chair, in a basket by the couch…just within easy reach.
#7: FLANNEL SHEETS
I prefer flannel sheets, but maybe you love linen? Either way, getting into bed with the perfect set of sheets that are fresh from the dryer and oh so cozy is a great way to hygge.
#8: FAVORITE MOVIES
Yesterday, I shared 30 FEEL GOOD FILMS and all of them add a little hygge into my everydays.
#9: FIREPLACE
Yes please!
#10: SUNRISES/SUNSETS
If I’m watching a sunrise or sunset it means that I’m slowing down and paying attention to something pretty darn spectacular…and not rushing through my everydays.
#11: MAKNG MY BED
I love to make my bed. It instantly pulls the whole room together…and then at night, I much much prefer to get into a made bed than an unmade one.
#12: CELEBRATING THE SEASONS
I find every season worth celebrating. We could aimlessly go through the year without stopping and appreciating them or we could find a lot of joy in the routine/mundane/special things that make each season unique.
#13: ENJOYING MY PETS
Pets and hygge go hand in hand.
#14: COOKING AND BAKING
I love to be in my kitchen cooking and baking…especially seasonal things.
#15: TAKING A WALK
Going for a walk, not for exercise but just to be outside, is a great way to slow down and appreciate the little things each day. (It’s extra hygge if I bring my pups!)
#16: TIME WITH PEOPLE I LOVE
I am really really into spending time with my little family…but I also love spending time with my girlfriends, my neighbors and extended family too. I think a lot of “living cozy” can be done by yourself, but some of it is extra special when done with people you love.
#17: TURN OFF TECHNOLOGY
Yup. I just don’t think tech and hygge complement each other one bit.
#18: GOING INTO MY YARD/GARDEN
I love going out into my backyard every day. I love playing fetch with my dogs, weeding my flowerbeds, picking veggies and herbs from my garden. It’s all very soothing to me.
#19: FRESH FLOWERS ON MY COUNTER
I love having fresh flowers on my kitchen counter. Just that little something makes me smile every time I see them.
#20: WAKING UP EARLY
An early quiet start to the day is a great way/time for me to practice being cozy. It’s dark, everyone is asleep, so it’s a wonderful opportunity to savor my morning routine.
#21: NOT RUSHING AROUND
I’ve read enough about hygge to know that it does not go hand in hand with “rushing around”. I am working really hard on not doing that. Last year, I even wrote on my markerboard by my desk “no rushing around”. I just really don’t want to live a “rushed” kind of life. It’s not very hygge 😉 .
Okay, I could have kept going and going and going, but I’ll stop at 21 ways I like to add a little hygge into my everydays. Truly, if you’re into coziness and alllll the lovely things that go along with it, you should pick up THE COZY LIFE WITH HYGGE stat!
In the meantime, I would love to read comments about “how you hygge” today too!
Also, don’t forget, I have so many other SHAY’S WAYS you can check out as well. Just look:
25 Keys to a Peaceful Morning
22 Keys to making Fall Cozy
19 Key Fall Kitchen Essentials
18 Keys to Prepping for a Trip
14 Keys to Simplify BACK TO SCHOOL
21 Keys to Savoring Summer
21 Keys for Working at Home {Summer Edition}
25 Keys to Outdoor Summer Entertaining
25 Keys to Maintaining our Yard
17 Keys to my Holiday Prep
11 Keys to a Cozy Winter
9 Keys to Returning from a Trip
12 Keys to Leaving Your Kiddos When You Travel
13 Keys to Meal Planning
8 Keys to Creating Daily Routines You Love
21 Keys to Elevating the Everyday
13 Keys to Managing Jet Lag
9 Keys to a Cozy Halloween Night
19 Keys to Hosting Festive & Easy Holiday Parties
12 Keys to Adding Activity into the Everyday
17 Keys to Working From Home
9 Easy Afternoon Energizers
14 Simple Luxuries
8 Keys to Finding a Gym
Happy Tuesday, friends! I hope you have the BEST day! xx
Jessica says
How do you manage not to feel rushed around with all of the travel you do?
Mix and Match Mama says
Traveling has always energized me…filled my cup…so to speak. I feel rushed when I’m not prepared for my day (I don’t wake up early enough/I’m overscheduled/don’t allow any down time/don’t stay on task/spend too much time scrolling/etc).
Jami Romano says
Yessss! Love this & have 100000% been pronouncing this wrong my whole life lol.
Elspeth Mizner says
Love this!! I try to incorporate more calmness in my day but not rushing all the time! But there’s nothing quite like candles, blankets and a good book!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Diane Moore says
I love these – aside from replacing coffee with tea 😉
I do find there is a practical, frugal voice sometimes questioning burning candles or buying flowers, or what have you. Do you ever deal with trying to find that balance?
Mix and Match Mama says
I think that’s a personal choice. They bring so much peace/calmness/happiness to me that they’re valuable to our home. If they don’t do any of those things for you, they are not. I think the balance comes from the priorities.
Diane Moore says
Yes, I would agree. Some of us just have that guilt whisperer in our brains all the time. Not good! 💕
Dawn Timmons says
Great post! Have you ever read The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer? If not, I think you would love it and half of it will probably also be dog eared. 😊
Mix and Match Mama says
Looking it up right now!
WhittyWife (Lindsay) says
Such a good rec! I read it last year and was convicted multiple times. ❤️
Jessica Shobe says
One of my favorties! I read it every year at least 2 times.
Lisa D says
Just read it and I love the book!
Tracy says
This is a good one! I highly recommend it and his other books.
Lindi says
So, since this wellness is a big deal, I want to talk about scented candles. I quit scented candles because of the faux fragrance they release into the air. These fragrances have been known to be endocrine disruptors and carcinogenic. I still use perfume- I haven’t eliminated everything – but for my family, I don’t like the fragrance so over the house. Same with plug-in type fragrance systems.
I use essential oils and diffuse those instead.
Madeline says
Wow, I was coming to leave a comment/question about candles as well. I used to love having a bath and body works candle or the bath and body works plug ins in the house, but three kids later, I feel guilty now, knowing all the negative impacts to our health, so I’ve stopped.
Shay – do you have a “clean” candle option that you would recommend?
Mix and Match Mama says
My favorite candles are Circle E Candles out of Fredericksburg, TX. I love them!
Lindi says
Are they clean?
Lindi says
Aww. Hey, no guilt needed. We learn, we grow, we do better. I didn’t know either until I read a few articles about families with children who had chronic health issues that cleared up quickly after eliminating all the fake fragrance from candles and plug-in type air freshening systems. It was enough for me!
Sarah says
Same! No more candles in our house either.
Erika Slaughter says
I’m not sure who came up with this word but I think we should have spelled it differently. Don’t you think?!
Danila Woolley says
Holy Hygge by Jamie Erickson is a great take on Danish concepts infused with Christian values. It was recommended to me when I moved to the cold north!
Mix and Match Mama says
Looking that up now! Thank YOU!
Pamela Garrett says
I love everything here but I mostly appreciate you telling me how to pronounce the word…I always thought I was saying it wrong but this confirmed I absolutely was 🤣🤣🤣
Kelly M Sites says
I’m super super into making my home a sanctuary. And my life, actually. I want to be a calm and peaceful presence for those around me, and I want our home to be that way too. So all the things you mentioned are super important to me. It makes a HUGE difference in my peace and the way I approach the day. I’M ALL ABOUT peace (inner peace and outer peace). 🙂
SS says
I have never heard of this, but do so many on your list. Lol
We had a big basket of fake flowers that we have had since my father in law passed. I took the flowers off and made it a beautiful center piece. Our oldest buys me Lego flowers that we sit and build together that adorn other places. Now that he isn’t here it makes me think of him.
We are in tht midst of melting/muddy season. It gets me so happy to think gardening and flowers will be blooming!!!
Jill says
I have often thought about buying those Lego flower kits and using them as decor. They really are pretty.
Jessamyn Peace says
We don’t have a working fireplace but we do have a tv over it and one in our bedroom! I’d rather the real thing, but I love to turn on a YouTube fireplace or an ambiance – from Harry Potter great hall with dangling candles to an Alaska morning scene. Love them for setting the mood!
Mix and Match Mama says
One of my favorite things is to walk into one of my kids’ classes at school and see that the teacher has the YouTube “fire” going in class. I instantly get happy. I think it’s a very good solution!
MelanieL says
I LOVE Shay’s Ways days!!! I read My Hygge Home by Meik Wiking in January, loved it! I’m into all of these but I think the sunrise/sunset one really stands out for me. I live on the west side of my city so I see a fair share of sunrises on my drive into work but…I have to make an effort to see a sunset. When I see a good one I call everyone out to see it! It usually happens when I’m walking the dog in spring/fall evenings and during our annual beach vacation on the Atlantic, which again, I have to turn around/look away from the ocean to see it and I’m in awe every.single.time.
Mix and Match Mama says
YES!! I’ve read that one too! That’s another great one! I love love love how intentional you are with sunsets. It’s inspiring.
Jess says
My daughter was making an ‘I love’ book at school and her first page was I love sunsets. I sighed and thought I’m doing at least one thing right! 😅
K.K. says
The pronunciation – THANK YOU. 🙂 I was definitely saying it wrong in my head!
Mix and Match Mama says
Well me too!! I needed the book 😉 .
TERESA L says
ANY CANDLES THAT YOU RECOMMENDED? SO MUCH TALK ABOUT HOW BAD THEY ARE TO BURN AND BREATH IN.
Mix and Match Mama says
I love so many candles! Circle E Candle Co is my absolute favorite. I also really love Life in Lilac candles too.
Valerie A says
I have a question, Shay. What kind of lightbulb do you like in your lamps? Warm white? Natural white? Something else entirely?
Mix and Match Mama says
I prefer warm neutral but those are hard to find these days.
Beth Valenta says
I love this way of knowing what brings you calm in life. I so agree with candles and lighting. I just feel different once I adjust. Being prepared to tackle the next day always brings me peace. Having what I need for the week to cook, prepare just makes a balance so that I am able to reward myself time to just be.
Susy says
I would include prayer.
For the past month I’ve been praying God would protect our democracy. It’s such a hard balance to stay informed, trust God has ‘got this’ and protect us and also enter a place of calm.
Faith says
Such a lovely and calm post to meditate on throughout the day- Thanks Shay! I am also curious of how your intentionality to live cozily and find joy in the small things have positively influenced your family- what is Andrew’s masculine version of “hygge” and how do you see your kids in their various stages of development take ownership of these practices and concepts?
Mix and Match Mama says
Well that is an interesting question. I am certainly heavily influenced by my mom. So many of the “things” I do are from growing up with her. I need to ask my family about their own ways to “hygge”.
Alison Althouse says
I’m a huge fan of candles too but wasn’t lighting them because I tend to forget and let them burn til they’re completely gone in one sitting. I now use a warming light for my candles and I think that has 1000% increased the coziness of my house!
Bev says
Love my warning light and the timer! I set it each morning for 2 hours.
Susie says
I love this post! For me, my doggie, my lamps, my throws, they are my love language! I also keep up white lights all year around my kitchen window. And I have small disco balls close to my windows that make small sparkles dance around my kitchen and den, They bring my absolute joy!
Paula Hobbs says
Well, now I’m totally intrigued . I cannot wait to do a deep dive into this!! As always, thank you for sharing!
Jenn says
Love all of these tips, they’re definitely something that I try to embrace…of course some days I’m more successful than others, but one of my favorite things to do after dinner and the kitchen is cleaned up is to go around and turn off all of the overhead lights (that my husband often insists we turn on) and just get down to our lamps and under cabinet lighting. To me, it signals the end of the day and trying to move into relaxation time before the day is done!
I think you had share this quote years ago “it’s ok to be busy, but don’t be in a hurry” and I immediately emailed it to myself where it reminds me each day to stay busy but not to rush through it. As my girls get older, the busy-ness only increases, but I’m really trying to enjoy it!
Mix and Match Mama says
YES!! I think about that quote often too. It’s so true.
Jess says
I needed that quote tonight! Thank you!
Nicole says
Love all of these and you have taught me to add them into my life through the years!! 🥰🫶🏻
Leah Z says
I read The Year of Living Danishly several years ago – the author moves to Denmark for a year to see what makes the Danes so happy (Denmark is consistently listed as the happiest country in the world)! Super interesting read! Hygge is definitely discussed. 🙂
Also, my kids love the song Hygge from the Frozen Broadway musical! I had pronounced it wrong until hearing that song over and over and over. 🙂
Rachel says
The comment about the fancy hotel cracked me up. One of my friends was over when we were in high school and she told my mom our house smelled like a dentist’s office! My mom cleaned with bleach all the time!
Mix and Match Mama says
Now that is funny too!
sandi says
We recently moved and goodness, these previous owners must have loved a bright bright room. The overhead lighting in our previous home was warm so I’m in the process of changing ALL the bulbs.
I’m not a candle girlie, but love diffusing different essential oils; it is so pleasing to enter a nicely scented space.
Sometimes I have to remind myself to slow down. I am 5’2″ and my husband is 6’5″ so over the last 27 years my walking stride has become a slow trot. 🙂 Add that the “kids” are all 5’8″ and taller and they constantly walk fast so momma has to race walk.
Cherie says
For those interested in ‘clean’ candles and scents, this is one that I use (no, I do not get paid for recommending this, I just honestly use and enjoy them). I love the small sprays for travel as well as they can freshen clothes and the room (if needed).
https://www.growfragrance.com
Michelle Gibbs says
I’m all about the hoo-gah now that I know how to say it correctly 🙃
💯 for a candle burning in the home
Marisa Patel says
I always love the idea of hygge but with my husband, my older sister, my middle schooler going to online school, and my oldest and her family on various schedules leaves my house bustling most of the time and I do not know how to get everyone on the same page. I not only crave calm and serene, I NEED it to be my best version of myself. How do you get your people to get on board or are they just naturally in-tune to your queues?
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s a constant tug of war, no? For me, I just incorporate it as often (and as little) as I can. I think little bits add up over time especially if you try to really savor those tiny little moments at the same time.
Lindsey Knudsen says
Hi! Love this! How do you play music in your home, is it through an app on your phone? How do you project the music in different rooms?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! I use the Sonos app and the Sonos speakers. You can add the speakers throughout your home and then control via your phone which rooms you play music in. We’ve had this system almost 11 years and still love it!
Sarah Pond says
Candles for sure! Also, reading this blog!☺️ love snuggling up on the couch with a cozy blanket and a good show/movie too!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwww! Thank YOU!!
Erin says
Can’t wait to dive into this book! I love making my home feel cozy. And thank you for the reminder bust doesn’t have to equal hurry!
Becky Powell says
Love this! SO many great ideas, and I totally agree with coffee, lol.
Jenna says
Hi Shay! You should check out the book Holy Hygge – Creating a place for people to gather and the gospel to grow, by Jamie Erickson. I rented it from out library and ended up just buying a copy because there was so much good stuff in it!
Mix and Match Mama says
THANK YOU!!!
Cris says
I love sitting with my back on a heating pad when it’s cold. Sometimes I even use it in the summer when the AC is blasting! A “splurge” I made a few months ago: a really beautiful diffuser instead of the kind of ugly ones that I had been using.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CK2P9RHC?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1
Tracy Graham says
I love all of these ideas and just want to say i enjoy your posts and outlook on life so much!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU so very much. xx
Kellie says
We’re getting ready for a trip to Munich/Prague/Vienna and I’ve been listening to classical music related to those areas as I plan, etc. (Wiener Philharmoniker on Spotify is a really nice station). Before this, I often listened to “French Cooking Music” when I just wanted some background music. What music platform do you use for the Parisian Cafe or classics standards?
Mix and Match Mama says
I love this so much! I Pandora stations for both.