Today Was Hygge

In a post I wrote called Hygge: The Danish Art of a Life Well Lived, I explain that there is no word in the English language that represents the concept of “hygge” because the closest word, cozy, lacks the depth and nuance to translate it accurately.  Sure, hygge means cozy, but it also embodies the words comfortable, joyful, pleasant, meaningful, and connectedness.

Today I meandered through the day, flitting from one activity to the next. I didn’t sleep well, so I napped in the morning. I went to lunch with my husband, did a bit of grocery shopping, and we spent some time talking. My dear friend wished me a happy birthday very early this morning. I spoke with my mom, and I texted with my sister. My sons and I attempted to play Risk, and we actually played Happy Little Dinosaurs. We got so caught up in the game that time got away from us a little. Then, we cooked supper, cleaned the kitchen, and baked my birthday cake together. It’s a sugar free yellow cake with sugar free chocolate icing. I enjoyed some coffee with my still warm cake, and I watched a couple episodes of Emily in Paris.

That leads me to the moment I sat down to write this post. When I reflected on my day, the only word that came to mind was hygge.  My day was simply hygge, and I can’t think of a better way to have spent my birthday.