Hygge is a Danish concept that underlines the
importance of focusing on the enjoyment of the
moment. It’s about being present and allowing yourself
the time and space to acknowledge a feeling or what’s
happening at the present moment.
Hygge came about as a result of Danes needing a
way to cope emotionally and spiritually with long, cold,
dark winters. It celebrates small things that make life
worthwhile, such as cups of tea, good books,
comfortable spaces, the feeling of security and
coziness, home-cooked food, and the company of
friends. It rests on the idea of a slow-moving, lowstress, low-commercial-consumption life.
Hygge is a concept that fits almost seamlessly into
magical practice. The practice of magic strives for the
same sort of serenity that hygge does. Meditation and
slowing down to be in the moment, aware and
acknowledging your authentic self, is very much at
the heart of magic work. Magic looks to improve
yourself, to strengthen yourself, and to celebrate
yourself.
Hygge suggests that the living of your life can be an
art form, which is an excellent way to look at self-care.
It’s not about flashiness; it’s about comfort and
expression. It’s about creating a special moment, not
special in the out-of-the-ordinary sense, but in the
recognition that if you pause and allow yourself to
acknowledge and connect with that moment, however
small, you will realize that every moment can be
special just because it’s yours and you’ve recognized it
as such.
Part of self-care is allowing yourself the permission
to have those moments and to enjoy them. You are
encouraged to pause and acknowledge the moment,
whether it is good or bad. That moment of
acknowledgment reinforces the idea that you are
worth the time. It also validates your feelings, which
can reduce overall stress. Rather than ignoring your
feelings in a mad dash to drive forward, those
moments of acknowledging yourself without judgment
provide a healthy way to reassure your subconscious
that it is allowed to have moods. It doesn’t have to be
“up” or “on” all the time. In fact, it shouldn’t be.
Everyone and everything needs downtime.