Embrace the Hygge Lifestyle: Cosy Living for Your Soul and Space
- Ruthy Baker
- 3 days ago
- 12 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
The days are getting shorter, the evenings cooler. Autumn or fall whatever you call it. You know that hush that comes when the world begins to exhale after summer’s wild energy? That’s when my soul always whispers: it’s time for hygge.
Now, before you trip over the word, Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) let me tell you what it is and why it matters more than ever.
What is the Hygge Lifestyle?
Hygge is a Danish word with no direct English equivalent. It’s more a feeling than a definition. It’s the sense of deep cosiness when you’re curled up with a blanket and a mug of hot chocolate while the rain dances on the windows. It’s laughter with friends around the dinner table, the flicker of candlelight, or the earthy smell of fresh bread in the oven. Hygge is choosing warmth, presence, and connection in the small, ordinary moments of life.
And here’s the kicker: it’s not about stuff. It’s not about throwing money at décor or living in some Pinterest-perfect home. Hygge is about crafting an environment and way of being that whispers to your nervous system, “It’s safe to relax. You belong here.”
Why We Need Hygge More Than Ever
Let’s be real, modern life can feel like one long scroll of noise, deadlines, and “shoulds.” We’re flooded with notifications, to-do lists, and that low-level hum of stress that never quite switches off.
Hygge is the antidote.
It slows us down. It roots us in the moment. It softens the edges of our world.
It’s not an escape from life, but a conscious decision to live differently inside it.
When you light that candle or put the kettle on, you’re not just creating ambiance, you’re making a declaration: I choose to rest. I choose presence. I choose joy in the ordinary.
And the science backs this up. Studies on wellbeing show that sensory rituals (like sipping something warm, engaging in mindful activities, or enjoying soft lighting) activate the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of you designed for calm and restoration. So yes, that cosy blanket and cup of tea? They’re more than just comfort - they’re medicine.
Hygge Lifestyle as a Manifestation Practice
Now, you know me, I can’t resist looking at this through a manifestation lens.
Here’s the magic: what you create on the outside, you reinforce on the inside. And what you cultivate on the inside, you naturally magnetise on the outside.
When you curate your space to feel warm, supportive, and soulful, you’re training your subconscious mind to believe: I am worthy of comfort. I deserve peace. Life can feel beautiful.
And that belief spills into every area of your life. A hygge lifestyle isn’t just about candles and cocoa - it’s about aligning your inner and outer world so they both vibrate at the frequency of ease, joy, and belonging.
How to Bring the Hygge Lifestyle into Your Everyday Life
The beauty of hygge is that you don’t need to overhaul your home or life. Think of it as layering warmth, presence, and connection into the fabric of your days.
1. Create Your Cosy Corners
Pick one spot where you can retreat. Maybe it’s a chair by the window with a soft throw. Maybe it’s your bed layered with cushions. Add elements that soothe you: a lamp with a golden glow, a favourite book nearby, or an oil diffuser releasing lavender into the air.
Pro tip: don’t overthink it. Hygge is about feeling, not perfection.
2. Engage Your Senses
The Danes know something we often forget: our senses are the quickest path to calm. Light a candle and watch the flicker. Wrap your hands around a warm mug and breathe in the steam. Put on a playlist that feels like a hug. Bake bread or cookies, even if it’s the pre-made dough kind (no guilt here!).
3. Declutter With Soul
Clutter drains energy: physically, mentally, emotionally. One of the most hygge things you can do is release what you no longer need. Marie Kondo’s famous question “Does it spark joy?” is basically hygge in action. When you clear out what feels heavy, you create space for lightness.
4. Honour the Seasons
The hygge lifestyle isn’t just for autumn and winter. In spring, it’s fresh flowers on the table. In summer, it’s an evening picnic with fairy lights strung in the trees. Hygge is a way of living with the rhythm of the year, not resisting it.
5. Celebrate Togetherness
Yes, you can hygge solo (and as an introvert, I highly recommend it). But hygge thrives in community too. Invite a friend for tea. Cook a simple meal and sit at the table without phones. Play board games. Share laughter. Connection is one of the most hygge ingredients there is.
A Story: The Night I Truly Got Hygge
A few winters ago, after a particularly stressful week, I remember collapsing onto the sofa with my dogs, Ziggy and Luna, curled beside me. The fire was crackling and Quill, my cat, was stretched out in front purring. I had cinnamon tea in hand, and fairy lights glowed in the corner. For the first time in days, I felt my shoulders drop. I breathed.
And then I breathed deeper. Relaxation and calm washed over me.
It struck me then: this is it. This is hygge. Not the fancy throw, cushions or perfect décor, just this moment of presence. Warmth. Enough-ness.
And once you taste that, you want to build more of it.
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Final Thoughts: Hygge as a Way of Life
Hygge isn’t about candles or blankets (though I’m never saying no to either). It’s about choosing presence over pressure. It’s about turning the ordinary into the sacred. It’s about coming home to your space, to your people, to yourself. That’s the true essence of the hygge lifestyle.
So, this week, light that candle. Bake the bread. Call the friend. Wrap yourself in a blanket and remind yourself that cosiness isn’t indulgence, it’s essential.
What will you do this season to embrace the hygge lifestyle and create a cocoon from the outside world?
Journaling Prompts: Bring Hygge Alive in Your Life
Grab your journal and let these prompts guide you into creating your own hygge sanctuary:
What makes me feel safe, cozy, and deeply nourished?
Which areas of my home feel supportive and which feel draining?
If I could design a Hygge evening from start to finish, what would it look like?
What clutter (physical or emotional) am I ready to release to make space for ease?
How can I bring more sensory rituals (taste, touch, smell, sound, sight) into my daily routine?
Who do I feel most cosy and authentic around? How can I spend more time with them?
Q&A: Hygge Lifestyle - Myths and Truths
Q: Is Hygge just about winter candles and blankets?
A: Not at all. Hygge is about creating an atmosphere of comfort and connection year-round. Think summer picnics, spring walks, or autumn soups simmering on the stove.
Q: Do I have to buy new décor for Hygge?
A: Nope. Hygge isn’t about shopping - it’s about atmosphere. A well-loved jumper, homemade soup, or hand-me-down mug can be just as hygge as anything new.
Q: Can Hygge actually help my mental health?
A: Yes! Hygge practices activate calm in the nervous system, reduce stress hormones, and encourage mindful presence. It’s a gentle, everyday form of self-care.
Further Resources for Hygge Living:
A charming, practical guide from the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen. Full of ideas to weave Hygge into your daily life. Get your copy here.
Decluttering is a Hygge’s foundation. Marie Kondo’s KonMari method helps you release what no longer sparks joy, creating space for warmth and peace. Find it here.
If you love meaningful chats over coffee or cocoa, or want to spark laughter and warmth at a gathering, The Hygge Game is perfect. It’s a simple card game filled with thoughtful questions designed to bring people closer. I’ve played it with family and friends and every time, the conversations go deeper than the usual small talk. A lovely way to add a dash of Hygge lifestyle magic to any evening. Check out The Hygge Game here
This book is like a passport to the Nordic way of life blending Hygge (coziness), Fika (coffee and connection), and Lagom (balance) into everyday living. It’s practical, uplifting, and full of little rituals that remind you happiness isn’t about having more, but about savouring what already is. A beautiful companion if you’re ready to bring more balance and soul into your daily routine.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work - it helps me keep creating cosy, soulful content for you!
📖 Clever Cleaning: The Natural Way to Clean Everything by Charlotte Figg & Purdy Rubin
If you’ve ever thought cleaning was just about shifting dirt, Clever Cleaning will make you think again. This beautiful book from the founders of Purdy & Figg is a love letter to natural cleaning. The kind that leaves your home sparkling, your senses uplifted, and your spirit soothed...
Now, I’ll admit it. I’m completely bonkers about Purdy & Figg products. Their blends aren’t just cleaning sprays, they’re mood-shifting little miracles. The new Calabrian Lemon smells like you’ve just wandered into a sun-warmed Italian lemon grove. Their Summer Lawn edition is like fresh-cut grass on a July morning.
And Lemon & Marjoram? Oh, that one's personal... It takes me right back to my nana Lillian’s kitchen where she’d make herb and lemon teacakes that melted in the mouth. Simply divine!
I still have a seasonal trio subscription so I can try their latest scent creations. Each one feels like a little present to my home.
What makes this book such a joy is how it blends practical, natural cleaning know-how with the sensory pleasure of essential oils. Cleaning, for me, isn’t just a chore. It’s a spiritual practice. When I spray those Purdy & Figg delights into the air, I’m not only clearing away smudges on a countertop, I’m clearing away stagnant energy.
In my own book, Tap Yourself Happy, I wrote about how essential oils can banish fusty odours and sweep out negative vibes.
Clever Cleaning carries that same ethos, making cleaning a mindful, uplifting ritual rather than a wearisome duty.
If you want to learn how to clean everything in your home without harsh chemicals while surrounding yourself with natural scents that make you smile, this book is a gem. And who knows, you might find yourself looking forward to cleaning days. I certainly do. ;-)
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✨☕🕯️ If this post warmed your soul, share it with someone who could use a little Hygge lifestyle magic. And don’t forget to join my newsletter for more soulful self-help and manifestation tips. Together, we can create lives that feel like a sanctuary.
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If you’re ready to boost your mood and reclaim your happiness, my book Tap Yourself Happy: How to Use Aromatherapy and Energy Psychology to Become Happier is here to guide you. I’ve blended the soothing power of aromatherapy with simple, effective tapping techniques from energy psychology, making it easy for anyone to use - no prior experience needed.
The book has been written to help you to take charge of your emotional wellbeing anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re navigating stress, breaking free from negative patterns, or just craving a brighter vibe, Tap Yourself Happy offers a gentle, natural way to help you feel lighter, more balanced, and connected to your joy. It also has a section showing you how to clear negative energy from your home and glow up every room. It's woo-woo to uplift your cosy cocoon!
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