I know that you all do not see every blog post or see every social media post. That is okay! I do not expect you to. So a little recap for those who haven’t been following along, I am running a culture and destination theme each month of 2021. January is hygge month. Hygge is defined like this:
hyg·ge /ˈh(y)o͞oɡə,ˈho͝oɡə/ noun
a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).
I have been talking about how not hygge my home was post holidays and because we are renovating our master bath. It’s still not as hygge as I want it to be, but I am working on it. I am happy to say that the Christmas decor has been boxed up and is back in the garage. I have started reading in cozy spots in my home and lighting candles to create instant hygge.
I recently shared a Mark Twain quote about travel that really resonates with me.
In the spirit of helping people discover that they are part of a much bigger picture, I’ve come up with some ways for you to explore more from the comfort of your own home.
Remember all that talk in December about Sips & Trips? I am going to try and not overdo it this month. I was throwing a lot of things at the wall last month to see what would stick. I originally tried to make it a surprise kit, but I think people were a little wary about that. Previously, I created the kits myself with the help of two brands. Going forward, I have created an official partnership with Salacia Salts who will handle the sale and shipping of the kit, while I focus on creating the virtual event. Each kit and event will correlate with Explore More’s theme of the month. For more information, please click this Sips & Trips link.
The virtual event will be held January 31st at 10 AM. We will wear comfy clothes, sip on the tea in the kit, light our hygge candles, and take a moment for ourselves. Our guest is Sine Louise Schmidt, CEO of Luxury Beyond. She is a Danish citizen and resident of Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen. She will discuss all things hygge, tell us about life in the happiest country in the world, and share a few ideas about travel to Denmark when we are able to travel the world again. I will also throw in a few anecdotes about my travels to Denmark. No sales pitches here, just sharing our love of travel and culture with those who are missing it as much as us!
While we don’t want you to miss out on enjoying the kit we’ve put together, the kit is not a requirement to partake in the event. However, if you do buy the kit and attend the event, you’ll be entered for a giveaway. We don’t mind bribing y’all to sell a few more kits and see a few more pretty faces!
Candles:
translated into Danish is ‘levende lys’ which literally means “living light”. Danish people experience very little natural light during winter, and candles allow them to create natural light quickly, which is why they are referred to as instant hygge. The Danes are obsessed with lighting and strive to create a warm and inviting atmosphere through the use of lighting, especially candles. In fact, Denmark uses more candles than any other country in the world and 28% of Danes light a candle every single day. Hygge candles should not be strongly scented, they are meant to be as natural as possible with a minimalist design.
Tea:
One of our favorite definitions of hygge is ‘coziness of the soul’, and sipping on a warm drink is the epitome of that type of coziness. Tea is especially hygge because it has less caffeine, so it truly allows us to relax and unwind while sipping it.
Salt Soak:
hygge is about giving yourself a break and taking time for yourself. Self-care is such an important part of the hygge concept, and soaking allows us to take the time to focus on ourselves for a few minutes longer than our typical cleansing routine. It is important to use natural elements to adhere to the hygge concept. Soaking in the tub allows you to empty your mind and be in the present moment. If we do not take care of ourselves, we have nothing left to give to others.
Another simple way to bring the world to you is by reading about other places. I want to read more, so I created a book club with a Facebook group that I am part of. I asked last week if anybody would be interested in me creating a second book club for my business, and you answered. I am excited to announce The Travel Book Club! A book club that focuses on books related to travel or living abroad. We have a Facebook group too! This is a no pressure book club. Come and go as you please. You are not committing to reading every book every month. Participate when you can. You know what they say, the more the merrier!
