It’s that not-so-wonderful time of the year again. Kids are waking up an hour earlier every morning as the sun now streams in their window before 7 am. It’s dark by dinner time, inciting feelings of panic because certainly we should be bathed and in pajamas by the time it’s pitch dark outside. The kids are exhausted and melting down during dinner. I’m falling asleep by 9 pm myself. Ah yes, we are currently in the midst of one of the greatest struggles in all of parenting- adjusting to the time change. We’ve just made the switch from Daylight time back to Standard time. Why, WHY must we change the time!? (-cried every mother ever) No one really knows the answer to that question, perhaps there isn’t one, but moms across America know the struggle of this semi-annual transition all too well.
The time of year is upon us when the days become shorter and the nights are colder and longer. The plants and trees have died and and we all settle in for a long winter’s nap. Just kidding! The children are making messes and chasing each other through the house at full-speed! Haha, in reality we all settle in and try not to pull our hair out for the next 5 months until it’s enjoyable to spend time outside again. Sorry winter people- I realize there are many who feel that it’s never too cold, you’re just under-dressed, but we are not those people. So we have to find a way to enjoy the great indoors during these long, dark, cold winter months which are otherwise kind of depressing.
This is where Hygge saves the day!
Say what?? Hygge {sounds like HUE-guh, as if you were saying the word ‘huge’ with a hard G sound} is a Danish tradition. Certainly the Danish know a few things about long, cold winters, right? Hygge is more a state of mind than an activity. According to Alex, a native of Denmark and writer of hyggehouse.com, the word is “used when acknowledging a feeling or moment as cozy, charming, or special.” That sounds like my kind of winter! {give me ALL the warm things, pls!} Each year from the time we ‘fall back’ until we ‘spring forward’ again, I strive to keep a state of hygge in our house to make our winters a time that we can all look forward to and enjoy together intentionally, instead of just biding our time until spring. I never, everrrr want to wish away precious time.
So how do we achieve this hygge state of mind?
First, think of all things warm and cozy- blankets, fuzzy socks, candle light, a hot beverage. Gather them. Layer them. Wrap yourself in them. Have them nearby. Then add in the special people and special moments- snuggling for a movie with my husband and our girls, teaching my daughters to knit, playing a game together, baking {and eating!} special treats together, reading books, telling stories, visiting family or friends, creating art. The possibilities are nearly endless.
Anything you can think of that you enjoy doing and brings a sense of coziness or specialness is hygge. I personally like to designate each night of the week for a different special activity. One night we bake, one night we read, one night we craft, one night we play games, one night we watch a movie. This way, instead of dreading the long evenings indoors there is something to look forward to every night- intentional time spent together. With something planned for us to do as a family, our kids are much less likely to just make a huge mess in their playroom or run through the house all evening like they’re on American Ninja Warrior {this is actually what they will do, don’t let anyone tell you that little girls aren’t wild and rambunctious}.
This year, our local meteorologist has predicted a colder and snowier winter than we’ve had in recent years. The summer-lover in me doesn’t want to hear about cold weather and snow. But the mom in me knows that my kids will love playing outside in the snow with all their new friends- and drinking tons of hot cocoa afterwards. I also have a deep appreciation for the way a good snow storm stops everything and everyone in their tracks. It’s almost as if time stands still for a little while. There are no errands to run. The office is closed. There’s nowhere to be… except together. It forces us to stop all of the busy-ness of life and just relax for a day {or a few}. I love the way it creates a peaceful sense of just being, when there’s nothing else to do but the fun stuff- playing in the snow, baking cookies, watching movies, sipping cocoa, eating soup, and snuggling. Hygge! I think I’ll always prefer summer time, but I really love how the hygge state of mind has transformed winter for me from a season I dread, to a season I can still embrace and enjoy, and make special memories with my family. This is what intentional living is all about!
Do you love winter, or are you a summer person? What is your favorite way to enjoy the winter time?
