Lately, I’ve been finding myself intrigued by Scandinavia.
It started when I read a couple of books about hygge—pronounced something like “HYOO-guh” as far as I can tell—a Danish concept that is best described as a feeling of coziness. The hygge mindset is about cultivating a space of warmth and wellbeing in one’s life, and also about minimizing mental, emotional, and physical clutter to create room for appreciating the simple pleasures in life.
Hygge is curling up on a squashy sofa with a good book and mug of tea.
It’s board games, glasses of wine, and laughter with a few close friends.
Chunky wool sweaters, knitted scarves, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Pretty much my dream life. Hygge, it seems, is the secret to making those long, cold winters just a bit more bearable.
And then there’s friluftsliv, which in Swedish loosely translates to “open-air life.” An appreciation for the outdoors also features prominently in Scandinavian culture. The latest book I read, There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather by Linda Akeson McGurk, derives its title from the popular Scandinavian adage “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” Apparently people say this a lot to their kids, who resent it when they’re young but then find themselves saying it to their kids when they become parents themselves. If people in that region only ventured outdoors when it is warm, sunny, and inviting, they’d probably log about two hours a year. In Sweden (where the author is from) as well as the other Scandinavian countries, children are forced encouraged to spend time outside every day, rain or shine, which fosters from an early age a connection with and compassion for nature that continues into adulthood. Raising her two young daughters in the midwestern United States, the author is struck and dismayed by how different her childhood was compared to the American norms. She tries to instill in them a Swedish-style hardiness and outdoorsiness, but the American-style drive-through conveniences and screen-time addiction make it feel like she’s swimming upstream. It’s hard to be a person trying to do things differently—in her case, modeling an active, outdoorsy lifestyle.
In Sweden, children at school spend time outside every day. It is an expectation. They bring the appropriate gear and clothing, and there is no negotiating about it. Their school supply lists are less about glue sticks and colored pencils than rain boots and two pairs of woollen mittens. And it’s good for them. It’s good for all of us. It is easy to think that we humans are such a distinct and special presence in the world, but in reality we’re made of all the same stuff as everything else. Is it any wonder that we feel ourselves at peace when we’re immersed in nature?
So what have I taken away from this?
I have become pretty immune to my students’ complaints that it’s “too cold” to go outside for a little recess during their lunch break. They need to run around! It’s good for them! If it’s above freezing (no doubt the Swedes would snicker at this wimpy American standard), we go out and play. Wouldn’t you know, more often than not the complainers quickly forget how “cold” it is as they laugh and play with their friends. Their rosy, smiling faces say it all.
I invited hygge into the home by finally learning the cozy craft of making candles—I’d been wanting to do this for years! The bonus is that I then get to enjoy the calming scents and light of my homemade candles.
And I’ve been making it a goal to spend some time outside every day. On my way home from work, there are several places where I can stop and walk to enjoy some sunshine or, at the very least, some fresh air. Hygge and friluftsliv tell me that I can’t use the weather as an excuse to skip an outdoor excursion. On one of my walks, it started to lightly rain just as I was setting out. In the past I likely would have turned tail and headed back to my car. But instead, I pulled up my (waterproof!) hood and kept right on going.
Apparently, the right clothing really does make all the difference.
Reading List
There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather by Linda Akeson McGurk
The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
(She’s Japanese, not Scandinavian, but this book will change your life too. You’ve probably heard about it by now, but if you haven’t read it yet, do! Her philosophy dovetails perfectly with the hygge mindset.)
Don't Fleece the Bees 