The magic of fall has come and mostly gone, since all the leaves have turned and fallen from most the trees, and now we’re on the long winding road toward winter. If weather predictions such as Farmer’s Almanac are to be believed, most of the country is in for a rather brutal winter. Given that I live in an area that has been deemed a “hibernation zone” and also that I moved from a small city where I could walk almost everywhere to the country, I’ve made a plan for how to get cozy and be creative this winter so I don’t go stir crazy.
If you’re not familiar with the term hygge (pronounced hoo-gah), it’s something that is ingrained in Danish lifestyle that has captured the attention of people around the world over the past decade or so. The hygge lifestyle is defined by embracing coziness and living simply, which feels like a natural transition during the dark and somewhat dreary months of December, January, and February.
Some of the hygge things I want to do this winter include, planning my spring garden, working on some crochet, trying my hand at a couple of simple sewing projects (like this harvest apron to gather veggies from my garden), baking bread from scratch, writing in my work in progress, watching movies or reading classic books that have an undercurrent of simple living like Little Women, Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, and pretty much any story by Jane Austen.
I’ll also make time for relaxing, like taking baths with salts, lighting a favorite wood wick candle, and practicing meditation every day. If you’d like to follow along with my hygge practices this winter, and share your cozy vibes with me, connect with me on social media. I’ll be sharing pictures, videos, and ideas on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest.
Amanda Bretz 