
6 Ways for the Christian Woman to Embrace Hygge
I am a mega fan of hygge, a Danish concept encompassing the mindful, cozy life. Hygge is about intentionally setting an atmosphere focused around simple joys and awareness of the intangible values in life.
Anything focusing around warm drinks and cozy-living makes my winter-loving heart happy. In this fast-paced, digital age, hygge calls us to stop and truly look at what is happening. It is a way to consider the lilies of the field and watch the patterns of life to find God’s goodness.
As a Christian, I am trying to be more conscious about applying hygge to Biblical principles. Here are 5 ways every Christian woman can embrace hygge:
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1. Turn Off the Television and Read More Books.
Instead of binge-watching the latest Netflix craze or filling your mind with our 24/7 news cycle, pull yourself away from the screen and crack open a book.
Read your Bible. If you don’t already start your morning this way, create a new routine. Instead of beginning your morning with screens, put down your smartphone, pour a cup of coffee, and spend time in the Word of God. This is one of the most life-giving parts of my day.
Read more about my Hygge + Faith Morning Routine here.
But read other books as well. There is so much wisdom in friends from ages past. I wish could sit down over my morning coffee and hear CS Lewis’s experience with grief, but as he died many years before my birth, I can only discover his wisdom in the words he’s left behind. There are many others, both living and dead, who I can benefit from. There are stories, like the Wingfeather Saga, that reminds me to be brave and face this life with the gifts God has uniquely given me. Whether it be in story form or through non-fiction, embrace the truths told in quality literature.
Here are a few book recommendations:
2. Light More Candles (And Pray!)
I have written before about using tangible, visible signs (such as prayer beads) to help you stay focused during prayer. While I love my prayer beads, I also love the idea (and very hygge notion) of lighting a candle while I pray.
Christ identified Himself as the Light of the World. Putting a little light in my midst reminds me of who He is and of my call to shine that Light before those around me.
It also reminds me of the indwelling of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit appeared as tongues of fire that then filled the lives of the first Christians. The little flame in my midst reminds me of His presence in my life.
Finally, there are many notable passages that speak of the beautiful fragrance our prayers give before the Throne of God. The sweet aroma of my candles remind me throughout the day to pray and give up my life as an offering to the Lord.
3. Spend Meaningful Time with Friends
Community is one of the greatest blessings in the life of a Christian. We are not bound simply to friendships, we are part of a great unity found within in the Body of Christ.
It is very hygge to engage with one another, and disengage from screens. Spending less time on surface-level discussion, truly enjoying God’s creation, and speaking to deep heart truths and problems with others is good for the soul.
Especially in Western culture, we tend be very self-centered and independent to a fault. Our Christian faith calls us to resist this by relying solely on God and immersing ourselves in the community He has given to strengthen us.
Especially in Western culture, we tend be very self-centered and independent to a fault. Our Christian faith calls us to resist this by relying solely on God and immersing ourselves in the community He has given to strengthen us. Click To TweetSpend time with the Body of Christ, not just on Sunday morning, but throughout your week. Participate in Bible studies and prayer groups. Meet at the park, go on hikes, serve your community, and engage in life together.
Read about 5 Ways to Practice Hygge Hospitality here.
Here are some great Bible studies to invite a friend to join you for:
4. Bake More
Church ladies have a long history of baking. My friend, Traci, wrote a beautiful tribute to the church ladies a few years ago and it comes to mind every time I make a meal for someone. In fact, we even see the idea of baking connected with doing the Lord’s work back in the Old Testament when the widow offered her last bit of flour and oil during a famine and made bread for Elijah.
Baking, not stopping for the convince of a quick grab and go break or cookie but actually getting your hands dirty, kneading dough, and mixing batter, can be nourishing in more than one way. When we stop and put in the hard work of measuring, mixing, waiting, and baking, we enjoy the fruit of our labors in a new way.
Not only do we enjoy the end result differently, we also have something to offer that we have labored over. While I have served many a meals with a store-bought loaf of French bread, there is a special joy in offering guests a loaf of homemade challah.
Bake and share. Use it as an excuse to have someone over. Call a friend and ask if they want to spend a Saturday afternoon making bread then eating it together. Bake cookies and take them to someone who needs encouragement.
5. Surround Yourself with Little Reminders
We are forgetful people. As I deal with the stresses and distractions of my day, it is all too easy for me to forget the truths of God’s word. One of the ways I can combat this is my keeping lovely reminders around that will keep at the forefront of my mind who God is.
We are forgetful people. As I deal with the stresses and distractions of my day, it is all too easy for me to forget the truths of God’s word. One of the ways I can combat this is my keeping lovely reminders around that will keep… Click To TweetI love placing Scripture on my walls and surrounding myself with artwork that reminds me to keep my focus, not on this world, but on Heaven. Intentionally choosing to use my walls, pillows, and jewelry to remind myself that this world is not my home has been incredibly helpful.
Here are a few small ways to include lovely reminders in your home:
5. Garden
Gardening is a way to tend to Creation. In the Garden, it was the first task given to mankind. Today, we can enjoy creation in a visceral way by gardening and growing food for ourselves. Much like baking, it is a way to put in the hard work of creating food and enjoying the labor of our own hands. It is also a lovely way to share our labor with those around us.
Plant a garden. Grow herbs. Enjoy the flowers around you. If you’re like me and can’t seem to keep anything green alive, succulents might be the best option. Do something to enjoy the beauty of the physical creation and to remind you to long for everything to be made new.
While hygge is not a Christian concept by any means, there are a lot of beautiful ways to incorporate hygge into the life we are called to live as Christians. #hygge #christinanlife Click To TweetWhile hygge is not a Christian concept by any means, there are a lot of beautiful ways to incorporate hygge into the life we are called to live as Christians.
Hygge is a way to emphasis St. Paul’s instruction to Timothy that we live quiet lives, worthy of admiration. It is a way we take captive our thoughts and life and fight against that age that clamors for our attention by turning our minds to the beauty of God’s truth.
Let us practice intentionality and enjoy the time God has given us today.
I’d love to hear from you! Do you have a practice you consider hygge?
Comment below and share some ways that your faith influences that way you practice hygge.
You might also enjoy:
My Hygge + Faith Morning Routine
13 Ways To Be A Proverbs 31 Women Today
Dear Millennials, Can We Be The Leaders The Church Needs?
The Comments
jplagens
I love reading your posts. They are so uplifting. I was just trying to explain hygge to my husband yesterday. I love how to made it about Jesus instead of ourselves. It is important to focus on Him as a believer. I think we have gotten off track with all of this “self
stuff. I will say moms are always putting others first so we do neglect ourselves. It is a hard balance on how to do it all right. I pinned this!
Bailey
jplagensIt is a very hard balance. I think that the self-care frenzy has gotten way out of control. As I recently read, I don’t need bubble baths, I need genuine soul care and a balanced life I don’t need to escape from! Hygge is one of those ways I try to create balance in my life.
Kiersten
I love this post! I love how you included ways to include God into your hygge routine. I will totally keep this in mind as my ready my home for fall this year. 🙂
Bailey
KierstenIt is such a natural connect in my mind to incorporate hygge into my faith routine! Best of luck as your incorporate it this fall!
Maria Lucille
I just wrote a similar blog post on Hygge! I loved that you incorporated gardening. I hadn’t though of that, but especially in Fall everyone has a bounty of fruits and veggies to be harvested and shared. 🙂 You can check out my blog post here – https://literallysimple.com/2018/09/14/live-the-hygge-life-this-fall/
Bailey
Maria LucilleLove it! It is such a hygge time of year!
Life and Business With Wendy
Lovely post. I really like the Hygge way of living. Cosy, family, friends and cake seems to be perfectly fine. Yes, this is my kind of happy.
Bailey
Life and Business With WendyCozy is my kind of happy too!
swbmama
I am a huge fan of minimalism and I am interested in the connection to Hygge. This article helped me to see the relationship due to the focus on simplicity and purpose.
Bailey
swbmamaThere is such a connection between minimalism and hygge!
motarp
I love this so much!! I had only recently heard of the term hygge.. I was impressed by it but wasn’t sure how they could be applied in my life, thanks so much for this.
Bailey
motarpI hope this encourages you to connect it to every aspect, including your faith!
Maegan
These all speak to my heart. My family just moved to a new house, and I want to be more intentional about making it inviting to the Spirit and a place where everyone feels loved. Beautiful ideas!
Bailey
MaeganMay God richly bless your new home, Maegan!
Kristin Cook
Staying in community is huge for me. Other believers can see things and remind me of truths that I don’t notice on my own- and as an extrovert, I am naturally drawn to community anyway.
Bailey
Kristin CookIt is so important! I’m an introvert but I see the dramatic benefit that my church community brings to my life.
Nakisha
A bonfire is my kind of recharge.
Bailey
NakishaMine too, Nakisha!
kage2015
We have been practicing Hygge for years and didn’t know anything about it. We don’t watch a lot of tv and have decided to remove it from our lives altogether.
Bailey
kage2015It makes such a difference to be present.
drriehl
Great article. As my outside garden is slowing down, I am excited by your idea to do succulent plants indoors as a way to hygge. Thank you!
TheThinPlace
drriehlI’m looking for some indoor plants as well! Unfortunately, I’ve already killed one of the four succulents I bought this summer.
sruszkowski
I love all of these but my top two have to be reading more books and baking more. My favorite days are when it is cool outside and I can curl up on the couch and read and then get up and bake something yummy to eat while reading again. 🙂
TheThinPlace
sruszkowskiThose are my favorite days as well!
Colleen Mitchell
Did you mean to include links to book recommendations and Bible studies? I’d love to see them!
Bailey
Colleen MitchellYes, are they not showing up for you? I can see them on my end but sometimes things get glitchy. You should be able to click on the picture of the studies to see them.