Rejuvenate Your Soul with Spring Hygge
Who says winter is the only time to hygge? Hygge elements enhance life every day, no matter the time of year.
Did you enjoy this post? I know you'll love my book Minimalist Hygge, part of my Minimalist Basics series. Hygge may have originated in Scandinavia, but it's an idea that deserves to spread around the world.
Hygge (originally a Norwegian word pronounced "hoo-gah") can be loosely translated as "well-being." The Danes adopted the word and turned it into a lifestyle. They're always at or near the top of the list on international happiness surveys, and hygge is a big part of the reason for that.
Why should you care about hygge?
Maybe you're not Danish (I'm not either), and you're wondering what this fascination with hygge is all about. You're already super-busy, and you don't need to add one more "must do" item to your schedule.
Being too buy, fixating on achievement, and always looking for more and better are habits that add to our stress and dissatisfaction. How can we possibly find contentment when we're always chasing the next big thing? That's a foolproof recipe for unhappiness.
Usually, it's not money, possessions, power, or achievements that make us happy. Hygge encourages us to consider what truly brings us joy so we can make space and time for it. Hygge is a minimalist concept that asks us to remove the things that weigh us down and crowd our lives so we can use our time, money, and energy for what really matters.
It's the little things in life that add up to magic – a good book, a comfortable chair, a tasty meal, an interesting conversation, the beauties of nature, laughter. The trick is to notice these things and see them for the blessings they are.
Instead of following the crowd and living on autopilot, hygge is an attitude that lets you nurture your mind, body, and spirit. It's not about being lazy or unambitious – it's about finding balance, being creative, and appreciating life.
14 ways to practice hygge this spring
1. Look to the rainbow.
On the next rainy day, pile your family in the car and hit the back roads to search for a rainbow. It's a magical wonder we shouldn't take for granted.
Rainbows are formed when sunlight passes through water droplets, which allows the usually-hidden colors in white light to become visible. That's when you'll see the colors of the spectrum – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. (The mnemonic ROY G BIV will help you remember them.)
Don't forget that you can only see a rainbow if the rain is in front of you and the sun is behind you.
2. Look for blossoms and blooms.
I'm lucky to live surrounded by orchards, and we have a gorgeous succession of blossoms each spring – almond, peach, and plum. We can drive around town and see blooming ornamental plum and pear trees, plus forsythia, camellias, dogwoods, and many others.
Then there are the wildflowers – huge fields of mustard and wild radishes, followed by California golden poppies, lupine, and more.
And don't forget garden tours! Many small towns host spring garden tours, and many cities have botanical gardens. They're all worth exploring.
3. Enjoy seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Eating seasonally is a great way to add variety to your diet while enjoying foods that are fresher and grown closer to home. Depending on where you live, spring is the time to enjoy asparagus, artichokes, carrots, radishes, peas, leeks, rhubarb, and more. Grapefruit and avocados are at their peak, and strawberries and cherries are just beginning.
Celebrate the arrival of spring by visiting a farmers' market.
4. Cherish baby animals.
Have you ever watched a 2- or 3-year-old interact with a baby? They seem to intuit the need for patience and gentleness, and words like "cute" and "sweetie pie" suddenly enter their vocabulary. Almost everyone responds positively to babies.
When my children were young, we always visited the feed store to see spring chicks. At the wildlife refuge, we cooed over goslings and ducklings. We looked for doves nesting in eaves and quail and killdeer nesting on the ground. We drove back roads hoping to sight lambs, colts, and calves.
You might need to visit a city park or go to the nearest zoo to marvel over various youngsters, but don't miss the chance to exercise your nurturing instinct.
5. Do brunch.
Meet up with your friends at a restaurant that has outdoor seating, or have them over to enjoy spring sunshine on your porch or patio. Keep the menu simple with granola, Greek yogurt, and fresh strawberry parfaits, followed by a super-easy crustless quiche and a salad of spring greens such as baby spinach, arugula, and watercress. Don't forget the coffee and/or mimosas.
6. Declutter and spring clean.
Cleaning might not sound like fun, but it's one of the easiest ways to make your home more comfortable, and it's free! Remove unwanted items to put your favorite things back in the spotlight and give yourself more room. Make your house look and smell fresh, clean the windows, and let the sunshine in! Find a simple spring cleaning guide here.
7. Plan a scavenger hunt.
With your family, make a list of everything that represents spring to you, and go on a walk, hike, or bike ride to discover each one.
Robins, daffodils, tadpoles, bees, picnics, puddles, lambs, butterflies, rabbits, nests, new leaves, yard sales, etc. – how many can you locate on a beautiful spring day? Take pictures and make a photo diary of the season.
8. Go fly a kite.
What says spring more than a colorful kite sailing in a blue sky? Puffy white clouds, a fresh breeze, and your free-flying kite will be sure to raise your spirits.
9. Get bookish.
Here's a luxury after along winter – on a warm day, spend an hour or two in a lawn chair or a hammock enjoying natural light and a good book.
Spring is about fresh starts. That's why all the best books to read in the spring are about growth and transformation. Great spring reads include these novels:
- Elizabeth von Arnim The Enchanted April
- James Herriot All Creatures Great and Small
- Vanessa Diffenbaugh The Language of Flowers
and these children's books:
- Eric Carle The Very Hungry Caterpillar
- Barbara Cooney Miss Rumphius
- Frances Hodgson Burnett The Secret Garden*
* This blog is reader-supported. If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission.
10. Find a waterfall.
Spring is the best time to see waterfalls as rivers fill with melting snow. In fact, about 25% of all visitors to Yosemite National Park (approximately 1 million people each year) go specifically to see the waterfalls at their peak flow. Yosemite Falls (the tallest in North America, at 2,425 feet), Bridalveil Fall, Sentinal Falls, and Nevada and Vernal Falls are just a few of the magnificent waterfalls in the park. I'm blessed to have seen all of them in glorious cascade.
But you don't need anything so large or renowned to enjoy the experience of a waterfall. Studies show that being near flowing water lowers stress and increases serenity. If there's one of these natural wonders in your vicinity, take a picnic and enjoy it this spring.
11. Dress the part.
Spring means a change of wardrobe. Celebrate the season with a quirky new tee shirt or pretty floral sun dress (you can always add a denim jacket if it proves too chilly). Roll up your jeans and don a pair of sneakers or sandals. Consider a new straw handbag or a brighter shade of lipstick.
12. Barbecue.
Welcome warmer weather by inviting friends and family for a potluck barbecue. Add a croquet tournament to the agenda, and you'll have the perfect party everyone will look forward to attending.
13. Wake up your nose.
Want your home to smell like spring? Fill a vase with lilac, or open the windows just before you mow the grass.
Try this spring potpourri in a small slow cooker:
- 2 limes, sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme, or 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon mint extract, or a small handful of fresh mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 cups water
Gently squeeze the thyme and mint leaves as you add all ingredients to the slow cooker. Turn heat to low, and let the mixture simmer for several hours. Pay attention to the water level and add more hot water as needed.
14. Join your community.
From St. Patrick's and Memorial Day parades to Little League baseball games to your church's Easter pageant and egg hunt, take the opportunity to join with others in celebrating what the season offers. Making and sharing these events is special, and the traditions spread kindness and camaraderie.
A recipe for happiness
Meik Wiking, author of The Little Book of Hygge, reminds us that "hygge is about giving the responsible, stressed-out, perhaps over-achieving part of yourself a break." To that end, you need to be relaxed, fully present, and aware of your surroundings. That's how you'll benefit from the comfort, harmony, togetherness, and pleasures of hygge.
My book tells you how to experience hygge all year round, at home, at work, in your wardrobe, and even how to give the gift of hygge. It's a perfect fit with both minimalism and gratitude, so grab a copy and start adding more pleasure and comfort to your life today.
Comments
Post a Comment