Hygge.
Have you heard of
this? It’s a Danish concept and pronounced hoo-guh.
As hyggehouse.com says, “While there’s no one
English word to describe hygge, several can be used interchangeably to describe
the idea of hygge such as cosiness, charm, happiness, security, familiarity,
comfort, reassurance, kinship, and simpleness.” And if you think you
shouldn’t listen to the Danes, you’re wrong, wrong, wrong. The Danes are
repeatedly referred to as the happiest people in the world.
We like happy, don’t we? Of course we do.
When you think of
sitting by a roaring fire on a snowy night, a mug of your favorite hot beverage
in hand, and a brand new book to dive into, that’s hygge. Thick, cable-knit
sweaters, cabin socks, candles in fragrances like maple nut dream and pumpkin
pie surprise. Flannel sheets! Oh, God. Let’s not forget the flannel sheets.
Natural home décor like pinecones, birch sticks, evergreen boughs. Hanging with
friends and just shooting the shit. Finding joy in the simple pleasures. All of
this is hygge.
You get the idea.
I feel like this
word was made for the type of romance I write. Settings in the woods of New
England where the forest is as much a character as the people are. Folks who
are deeply connected to their families. Friendships that won’t quit. Charming
men who know how to warm things up on a cold night. Maple syrup and cookies and
rum. Stories that make you all tingly inside and push bad moods in the corner
where they belong. Local taverns where people are considered regulars, flirting
is always welcome (and none of that “how you doin’” crap), and the drinks never
make you so drunk that you can’t see the happily ever after that’s headed your
way.
These are my
books. This is hygge on the page. Even my newer series set in 2025 has moments
of hygge in it. Amidst trouble on a global level, there is still sanctuary to
be found in the woods, still blossoming love, still hope.
So if you’re on a
mission to make 2017 a cozier, more intimate, more positive experience, turn to
romance novels and hygge, baby. Make simple rituals out of the mundane.
Appreciate nature. Make apple pie and eat it hot right out of the oven with two
(yeah, I said TWO) scoops of Ben & Jerry’s vanilla ice cream. Live life as
if happy is the only emotion you’ll accept.
What will you do
to hygge it up this year?
Wishing you all
an outstanding 2017!
Toodles,
Chris
SAFE,
Book One, The Shielded Series, FREE in ebook!
PROTECTED,
Book Two, The Shielded Series, available now!
SECURE,
Book Three, The Shielded Series, coming soon!
