10 New World hyggeligt rituals

On By madabouthyggeIn Everyday

At the start of quarantine, I thought to myself two things. 

First, this is really bad. Clearly, we don’t know what we’re in for, and I’m scared. 

Then: Wow! I’m going to have so much time to do all the things.

To name a few…

I’m going to become the professional violin player I’ve always dreamed of! I’ve practiced maybe 5x.

I’m going to read ALL the books! I’ve started 12 and finished [maybe] 2. 

I’m going to become a regular blogger! This is my first post since June 2019.

Ok, you get it and so do I: we often set our minds to things that we fall short on. I’m not super down about it – after all, surviving this pandemic might just have to be enough right now.

But, after a truly hyggeligt conversation with a new friend, Jeff Doff, and his encouragement that I write about how to stay cozy during COVID, I was ready to get back to writing.

The thing about hygge is that it’s not prescriptive, and as our realities change, so can the manners in which we conjure it. Becoming a professional violinist and reading all the books just didn’t make me feel cozy the way they used to.

So, when the usual things don’t cut it, and our lives are confined mostly to our homes, we need to get creative. 

Below is a list of 10 Rituals – and examples of how I’ve enacted them – for creating hygge in the “new normal.” 

10 HYGGELIGT RITUALS FOR THE NEW WORLD:

  1. Identify something fun you can do to end the work day – to create clear separation between earning a living and living
    • I like to light a candle or go for a walk
  2. Create a *new* nighttime routine
    • I’ve started taking showers with soothing soaps and “shower bombs” and if you can, turn on only a glimmer of light, preferably one that’s not overhead
  3. Pre-empt the Sunday Scaries
    • We made our own sourdough starter at the beginning of quarantine (shocker, I know) and we make sure to prepare the loaf on Sunday night for fresh bread on Monday (my most loathed day of the week).
  4. Indulge one night a week in a luxurious meal
    • We either splurge at the grocery store (on lamb chops or fresh fish) or order from our favorite, date-night restaurants (looking at you James and Cent’anni)
  5. Facetime 
    • Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to see our nephew these days and he’s growing so fast! Phone calls don’t cut it – don’t just miss the people you love, see them.
  6. Get lost in nostalgia
    • I look at our wedding photos at least once a week. We got married on March 15, 2020, the day before the entire city shut down, and it was truly the last hoorah of the Old World. The cozy, warm, love-filled memories of that day have carried us through some of these very dark times.
  7. Make weekend brunch
    • Weekday breakfasts (if they’re anything more than coffee and toast) are not hyggeligt for me. On weekends, sleep in, maybe make a dutch baby with strawberry banana compote and watch your world get a little bit brighter. 
  8. 10 Breaths Exercise
    • Listening to new podcasts, especially the Science of Success, has been fulfilling. One ritual that has helped immensely in feeling gratitude is taking the time for 10 deep breaths, 10 times a day, to remember and honor any enjoyable moment.
  9. Establish the perfect lighting for any time of day
    • When you work, bright lights are probably helpful, but when it’s time for dinner and relaxing, if you can, either dim the light or get a standing lamp (or two) so you can shut off the overhead ones. 
  10. Add a little something 
    • I’ve found that toasted almonds add just the right amount of crunch to salads, fish, and even ice cream needed to feel comforted and whole. 

What are some of your [new] hyggeligt rituals?

Photo by Monika Grabkowska on Unsplash

Leave a comment