2021 Word of the Year- HYGGE

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Hygge (hoo gah) is my word of the year for 2021.   The world has been moving out of control for all of 2020.   People have endured financial, health and emotional issues unlike in our lifetimes.  I have chosen this word because it encompasses a way of life that slows us down, focuses on what really matters and helps us to enjoy contentment with far less.  


Hygge, or well-being originated from Norway, but the Danish adopted this word and transformed it into a way of life that produces a life of happiness and contentment.   


Hygge is hard to describe in a single sentence or descriptive manner.   I find that Hygge is a mindset and a way of life that  embarrasses the simple pleasures in life and seeking to increase them which results in increased happiness.    

Hygge experiences can be…. 


  • Watching the sunrise or sunset and appreciating the beauty of the colors, the crisp air and getting lost in nature.   

  • Drinking a hot cup of tea or coffee being present in the moment.    

  • Picking up a good book and reading it. 

  • Slow cooked meal shared with people you care about. 

  • And so much MORE!



Is Hygge expensive? 

Many of the simple pleasures in life are free or of very low cost.   However, as with anything else, you can choose a more costly activity or products.   It is up to you to choose what you do and how much you spend.    I tend to gravitate towards enjoying activities that are of low cost or free and I am planning on getting creative and increasing my level of contentment and joy in 2021.  


What are the simple pleasures that you like and would like to invest the time to enjoy this year?


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