The dark side of hygge - the Danish art of being happy

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

About what the fanatical hobby for hygge threatens and what is antihyugge.

The Danish word hygge, meaning the ability to enjoy simple and affordable things, has become a fashionable revelation for many.

It turns out that this is the name of the very state of bliss and happiness that we experience in the company of loved ones, feeling the aroma of "grandmother's" jam, wrapping ourselves in a warm blanket and drinking coffee when there is slush and cold outside the window.

Hugge was included as the word of the year in the Collins English Explanatory Dictionary and the Oxford Dictionary, along with Brexit and Trumpism.

Dozens of books have been written about exactly how to feel the hygge. In stores, sales of cashmere blankets and cardigans, woolen socks, mulled wine sets, large mugs and candles increased.

In the British city of Northampton, they tried to catch the trend - they opened Bar Hygge, where you could drink ale and eat donuts by candlelight. But for some reason it didn't work out: now the institution has been renamed and restarted.

Knitted blankets, "winter warmth", falling leaves, homemade lamps, coffee, pumpkin soups and hearts: this theme is still popular today.

The author of one of the popular books on the hygge, Mike Viking (Meik Wiking) called it "the new invasion of the Vikings."

British version

Unsurprisingly, in the face of the hygge, antihygge ideas began to emerge. For example, brygge is the British version of the trend.

Bruges adherents call the hygge "a smug Scandinavian response to successive seasons." And they believe that this is a conspiracy, a trick designed to "lull" you at the time when you need to focus.

What do you need to do to feel bruges?

• Cast aside the Danish preoccupation with high-calorie snacks in the shadows with candles. It is better to start the fight against extra pounds - there is a new beach season ahead.
• Burn all the "cozy" patterned sweaters. This includes the famous Sarah Lund sweater, one of the most recognizable Danish wardrobe items, which became famous thanks to the TV series "Murder" and is associated with hygge. A good coat and a beautiful scarf will cheer you up just as well.
• Do not get carried away with candles to "improve the mood." They deteriorate vision faster than light bulbs.
• Don't stay at home in bad weather. To go out into the world: to the theater, to parties, for a walk along the rainy, cold streets, finally.
• Bring friends to visit. But not to be like the "Huggemans" who believe that it is impossible to argue during friendly gatherings. You need to argue: about football and politics, men and women!
• Show some self-control. Resist the temptation to play your favorite TV show or melodrama. Set aside just an hour a week to watch TV. This should be enough time to understand why the Danes take more antidepressants than any other nation on the planet.
• Give yourself the opportunity to think not about another rainy and snowy evening and whether you have enough candles and jam. And about the summer vacation, which will definitely be.

Swedish moderation

Another type of antihyugge is Swedish lagom. In a loose translation, lagom means "moderation", "sufficiency", "adequacy" - not too little or too much, but just right, in moderation. This is one of the common stereotypes describing Swedish character.

It is said that the lagom tradition dates back to the time when the Vikings let a cup of drink go around in a circle. It was necessary to take a sip from it just enough to be enough for both you and others.

The essence of the lagom is not to overdo it, not to take more than you need.

Why do you need a third chair if you live together? Why bother, do what is unnecessary or unnecessary? An important feature of lagom is the ability to stop in time.

The lagom concept is supported by one of the most famous Swedish brands - IKEA, which launched the Live LAGOM project in partnership with the Center for Environmental Strategy of the University of Surrey. It focuses on economy, minimization of harmful effects on the environment, and a reasonable balance.

Lagom is restraint, moderation both in political views and in the manifestation of emotions. When children are told skratta lagom, it means “don't laugh too much” and not “have some fun”.

However, unlike the Danes, who are proud of and adore hygge, the Swedes themselves have a contradictory attitude to the lagom. There are those who, for example, rebel against restrictions on self-expression in art. And they believe that there are many other ways to become more Swedish than sticking to the concept of lagom.

Happiness is not for outsiders

The Danish phenomenon also has a dark side. For example, it is believed that this concept applies only to the indigenous people of the country. Real hygge can only exist within social groups where everyone knows each other well. It is quite difficult for strangers to break through this border and join a warm company.

Hygge has become a kind of social control.

Danes are afraid to go beyond it and do something inappropriate that will ruin others' "happiness." When a person is trying to sort things out or express negative emotions, they may be reminded to behave hyggelig. It is not accepted to show that you are unhappy.

Therefore, hygge is both wonderful and dangerous. First of all, it is an unpredictable manifestation of accumulated unexpressed, and therefore well "warmed up" emotions.

However, this does not negate the sincere gatherings with friends, meditation under the sound of rain, hot chocolate and cozy woolen socks. If you've learned to feel happy in small things, use it.