I’m a woman ahead of my time. Reading and hearing about “hygge” (pronounced hoo-guh), the Danish concept of contentment and well-being achieved by the pursuit of comforting rituals, food and clothing, I realized that I have been a proponent of this way of living for as long as I can remember.
Have you seen kids wearing pajama pants to school? I’ve been a fan of lounging in my PJ’s until well into the evening for the past 4 decades. (Once night falls, I treat myself to a fresh pair.) I’ve made fuzzy socks a staple of my family’s yearly stocking stuffers, and I’d choose a night on the couch snuggled with my two- and four-legged loved ones over a night on the town anyway. Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches? Yes, please! Need to borrow a green, blue, red, neon yellow turtleneck sweater? Look no further than my closet, where the full color wheel is represented. Flannel sheets, scented bath soaks, fluffy pillows crowding the head of my bed. These creature comforts seem especially soothing when the temperatures drop and our schedules become frantic with holiday shopping, get-togethers and year-end to-do lists. As I move into the second half of my life, these opportunities to nurture my body and spirit take on a sweetness and poignancy that I can’t help but savor. Who knows when we will get another chance to burrow beneath a double-filled down comforter? Doesn’t hot chocolate (made from REAL dark chocolate shavings, not a powdered mix) rival any known elixir to lift our mood and slow us down to a less-fevered pace? The holidays are replete with joyous moments, sparkling memories, and the excitement of brightly wrapped gifts under the tree. But I encourage you to make some cozy moments a part of every day, not just the holidays. Wrap yourself in your softest sweater, enjoy some brownies still warm from the oven, and grab your pet in a bear hug for some quality sofa-snuggling. Comfort comes in all shapes and sizes and activities. Find the ones that feed your soul. Preferably while you’re wearing pajamas