O P I N I O N
THE URBAN HIPPIE
By Irene Martin
I remember many Januarys after the December holiday season had passed and I had undecorated my home. When I was finally done everything just seemed so plain, so bland. All the beautiful colors were gone and I could see how badly my walls needed to be cleaned or painted or both. It was like all the fun and excitement was gone, unless we got a big snow storm. Eventually Spring arrived and then the colors and smiles came back. If ever I was depressed in the winter, and I often was, it was usually from January to March.
A couple of years ago a lovely young woman I worked with named Juli told me about a Danish custom called Hygge. I love to learn about various cultural observances and practices as I think the world has so many wonderful things in it, I want to learn as much as I can about all of it! If we learn and share together we can learn to respect and celebrate each other better.
So I did some research and here’s what I found, from visitdenmark.com:
“Hard to explain and even harder to pronounce, the Danish word “hygge” (pronounced “hoo-gah”) translates roughly to “cosiness,” but it means so much more than that. So what is hygge, really? In essence, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people. The warm glow of candlelight is hygge. Cosying up with a loved one for a movie – that’s hygge, too. And there’s nothing more hygge than sitting around with friends and family, discussing the big and small things in life.”
Additionally, while doing my research I also came across a comment on one of the sites that cracked me up. Something like, “Oh for crying out loud, stop making a “THING” out of everything! Just DO SOMETHING FUN WITH SOMEONE!” Which gave this cranky old Philly gal a really good belly laugh. Part of me understood where the poster was coming from, remembering fads of the past. And yes, there is now a Hygge Card game you can purchase, a Hygge Lounge in Philly, and who knows what else. So, yeah. I get it. But to me Hygge is deeper and more intentional than just doing fun things with fun people.
Born and raised in PA, right outside of Philly, I have lived through four different seasons all of my 65+ years. I love living seasonally. As I’ve gotten older and became a better cook I’ve really enjoyed cooking seasonally as well. Summer’s lettuce, celery and basil give way to Autumn’s cabbage, fennel and sage. There’s something about the fall and winter comfort foods that make them some of my favorite dishes to cook. And the warmth and aromas from the oven, which I rarely use in the warmer months, fills the whole house as it also warms the kitchen.
When I read the word Hygge and think “cozy” I immediately think of cold weather even though Hygge is not a seasonal thing as much as a mindset and lifestyle. I think. I’m still learning about it. I am reminded of the lovely sayings of the Yule season. The comforting words or warmth, rest and renewal. Instead of seeing a barren landscape for 3-4 months I can see it instead as a season of quiet magic. Animals and plants resting, waiting for Spring. Paring down the noise to a gentle murmur. Warmth, friends smiles and time to reconnect with myself. Making it intentional helps me find simple joys in this season that used to leave me feeling empty and sad.
I’m so grateful to my friend Juli for teaching me about Hygge and encourage you to learn more about it yourself. A new perspective can make a world of difference and turn something you didn’t enjoy into something you actually look forward to. At least it did for me.
Peace and Happy 2026.
About Urban Hippie Irene Martin: A middle-aged tie-dye wearin’, tree-hugging, hippie who is trying to leave the world a little better for having been here. She can be reached at ireneemartinother@gmail.com.