Hygge: Decluttering The Danish Way

Reducing clutter is the secret to creating space for hygge. Having a Danish mother and spending a lot of lime in Denmark, this is something I know all about.

What is Hygge?

Originating from Denmark, hygge embodies a feeling of warmth, comfort, and contentment derived from life's simple pleasures. It entails creating a cosy and tranquil environment, often indoors, that fosters relaxation and happiness. Hygge can be enjoyed alone or with companions, emphasising quality time with close friends or family members.

Beyond physical comfort, hygge encompasses emotional well-being and a sense of security. It involves finding satisfaction in ordinary activities like enjoying a cup of tea, snuggling under a soft blanket, or immersing oneself in a good book. Hygge can be experienced through various means, whether it's the ambiance of a space, the taste of homemade food, or the company of loved ones.

At its core, hygge promotes mindfulness, presence, and self-care. It encourages taking a break from the hectic pace of life and finding solace in the present moment. By embracing this lifestyle, individuals can discover tranquility and happiness in everyday moments.

Decluttering the Danish Way

Living Danishly offers numerous benefits, and one of the most valuable lessons it teaches is the art of avoiding unnecessary accumulation of "stuff." Many of us could benefit from learning not to hold onto things "just in case." While it's important to keep items with sentimental value or meaningful memories attached, there's often excess clutter in our immediate surroundings that serves no purpose.

Our homes should radiate care. We nurture them because they reflect our personalities. They are places of peace, relaxation, and rejuvenation—a nest, a safe haven, and a personal sanctuary that frames our lives. When we welcome guests into our homes, we're inviting them into our private space. By caring for our homes, we also care for our guests, ensuring they feel safe and welcomed.

Creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for anyone who enters your home is essential, and excessive clutter can detract from that feeling of homeliness. So, how do we achieve this Danish ideal of balance and harmony in our homes?

Hygge in Your Home

Hygge gatherings with friends are characterised by their casual nature. In Denmark, friends often gather in private homes rather than dining out at restaurants. That's why caring for our homes is paramount, it's an extension of ourselves and deserves respect from both hosts and guests. Hygge embodies mutual respect, emphasising the importance of being a good host and a good guest to ensure everyone feels comfortable and welcomed.

Maintaining a certain standard of cleanliness and tidiness in your home is essential, though it doesn't mean everything must be immaculate before guests arrive. However, being a good guest entails respecting the environment you're in.

The dining table holds a special place in Danish hygge culture. Countless hours are spent gathered around this central piece of furniture, making food and table settings essential components of setting the hygge mood. If tackling an entire room feels overwhelming, focus on the key elements of hygge. Clear the dining table to facilitate enjoyable entertaining, tidy up the bathroom to create a more relaxing atmosphere for soaking in the bath, or declutter your bedside table to promote a serene bedtime routine and better sleep.

Top Tips for Bringing More Order into Your Life

• Your home is a reflection of who you are. Every item you bring into your home has been invited into your life. Let go of anything that doesn't align with your vision of your ideal life.

• Everything in your surroundings should serve you in a positive way, either through function or sentimental value. Let go of anything that doesn't contribute positively to your life.

• Take a moment to ask your belongings, "How do you support me?" This simple question can help you evaluate the usefulness and significance of each item.

• Just like food, items have expiration dates. When something is no longer being used or loved, it's time to let go and make space for new experiences and opportunities.

• Assign a permanent place for each item in your home and make sure you know where it belongs. This helps maintain order and prevents clutter from accumulating.

• Complete tasks fully and close the circle. Leaving tasks unfinished creates clutter and adds to your mental load. Take the time to finish what you start and create a sense of closure.

• Embrace minimalism by limiting the number of items you own. Ask yourself, "Can I live without this?" and be willing to let go of things you no longer need or use.

• When letting go of items, express gratitude for the time you've spent together. Say goodbye with appreciation and acknowledge the role each item has played in your life.

Asking items if they would do more good in a different home can help you let go of belongings that no longer serve you. Donate items to charity to give them a second life and contribute to a good cause. Remember that the relationship between you and your possessions should be reciprocal. If something isn't serving its purpose, it's okay to part ways and free up space for more meaningful experiences.

Implementing Hygge in Your Life

It's crucial to have a clear vision of the environment you want to inhabit. Having too much stuff can create a barrier between you and your desired sense of hygge in your living space.

Ensure that everything you own has a permanent place. We often find ourselves creating piles of belongings in convenient spots, but it's important to start small and designate specific areas for items. For example, begin with organising a bedside table. It's a manageable starting point, and you may be surprised by the odd assortment of items that belong elsewhere.

Deciding how to store your cherished memories is a personal choice that depends on your preferences. Some common methods include preserving physical items like photos in albums or memory boxes, creating digital backups on cloud storage or external hard drives, or journaling to capture your thoughts and experiences. Ultimately, select a method that feels secure and accessible to you for safeguarding your treasured memories.