Finding my Hygge corner and drinking a glass of wine in it

Have you ever heard of a Hygge corner? If you haven't, you are not alone. I was completely in the dark about this new found concept, until a few weeks ago when I participated in a webinar. This brief, daily class was to help you kick start your year, and the spunky, brilliant woman hosting it challenged us to do something special for ourselves every day. She gave us a goal to complete after each session ended, and those tasks consisted of things such as setting up a special meal, complete with flowers, a tablecloth and fine china to enjoy our food; organizing a space such as a drawer or closet; and setting up a Hygge corner in some area of our house.

Hygge is actually the Danish art of happiness. The idea is to live a simple, healthy, happy, and stress free way of life. I don't know about you, but that sounds amazing and totally unrealistic. I'm a wife and a mom of two teenage boys and two crazy dogs. The truth is that to live this life completely is almost impossible, but taking baby steps towards this goal isn't such a bad idea.

After I finished this week of quick and powerful webinars, I did see the importance of taking some time for me. I don't have time for spa days or long baths, but I decided that taking a few minutes for myself every day was not such a bad idea. I feel so worn down most days. It is like every day I am doing so much for everyone else that my needs get overlooked. I decided enough was enough, so I made some daily goals for myself to recharge my battery. If you feel the same way, set some goals for yourself. My Hygge will be different from yours, so set your own goals and give it a try!

My goals to Hygge (living a healthy, happy, contented and stress free life):

1. Read every single day.

 

2. Exercise at least 15 minutes a day (yoga, riding my stationary bike, taking walks...I count shopping too).

 

3. Writing at least once a week.

 

4. Finally starting my own business doing my dream job.

 

5. Teaching the boys some simple chores (vacuuming, dusting, laundry), and insisting that they start doing more around the house. After all, they are 17 and 12. I am not a maid, chef, personal assistant, "Betty Crocker" or "Susie Homemaker". I am a mom that could use a little help around this house!

In order to start on my path to Hygge, I finally organized my side of the closet. We moved into our new home in March of 2017, and my closet was still a total disaster. It was totally stressing me out! As we were completing the other projects of our home, the closet became a bigger and bigger nightmare. Then, Christmas wrapping paper and bows and presents got added to the piles. After listening to this webinar, I kicked myself into gear and organized my side of the closet (we won't talk about the hubby's side). I got rid of those items that I never wore,  those pieces of clothing that I always decided "no" to when I was trying to figure out that perfect outfit. If I had looked over those items a hundred times already, I was never going to wear them, so they went in a trash bags and taken to people in need. I got all new hangers for the clothes that were left... you know, the pretty velvet, space-saving kind. My sweet dad helped me hang my mirror and hooks for my obsessive amount of necklaces Voilà!!!! I can't tell you the amount of stress that lifted from my shoulders. It sounds crazy, but I was kind of getting a feel for this whole Hygge thing.

Next, I set up my Hygge corner. The funny thing about this concept is  that I have always had one in every single house we have owned. Instead of a Hygge corner, I called it my reading chair or a sitting area. I even built in a special place for it in our new home to house my reading chair and a small desk for writing.  I just didn't know it was helping me achieve Hygge. After listening to the webinar, I completed the corner of my room with a fuzzy blanket, and finally cleaned out the desk in that corner to give myself plenty of space to write. A funny thing happened after I got this space done...I began using it. It was awesome!!!

The webinar was held in early January. About those goals... I have done pretty well with the reading. No, I don't do it every day, but several times a week, I pour a cup of hot tea and allow myself to sit for a few minutes a read a book or a magazine. It is so relaxing.

I have been writing every-single-week. I am so proud of myself. I have made the commitment to sit down every Monday morning, at my desk, with a cup of coffee and write. I have absolutely achieved this goal, and it has been so beneficial!

I have started my own business. I am finally doing interior design. I did it once upon a time, b.k. (before kids), but it kind of got pushed to the side once I became a mom. I decided I had waited long enough. I ordered business cards and a sign for the front yard, and set up a website. I am finally going to make my dreams a reality!

The boys have always had a few small chores to do, but I have had a complete parenting fail on the whole holding them accountable part. Much to their dismay, that has changed. My youngest is now being held accountable to complete his weekly chores of putting waters in the refrigerator, helping to put groceries away, dusting and sweeping the floor. My oldest has to help vacuum, help his dad gather and take trash, and now he is responsible for the majority of his laundry. It has been amazing to see the piles of laundry get smaller now that he has finally figured out that the laundry fairy does not magically do it for him. I can't say it has been fun listening to them whine and complain. However,  I do feel that I am being taken less for granted, and they are learning so much more about the way life works!

And for the moment of truth...drumroll please...I have totally dropped the ball on the exercising goal! I mean, I did great the first week. I totally rocked that exercise bike and yoga'd my ass off. However, I hate to exercise, so it gets pushed to the side in the quest to find my total Hygge in the other goals.  I am committed to make it more of a priority so that I feel better and have more energy. It will just have to fit in somewhere between reading, writing, following my dream, and watching the boys do their chores while I enjoy a glass of wine :-)