Achieving Hygge at our Holiday Cottages
You may not have heard of Hygge so just in case you haven’t we’ll explain what it is and how to say it. Its a very simple concept of adopting a less stressful lifestyle. It comes from Denmark and its trending like mad! It also happens to be all we have ever set out to do here with our Holiday Cottages!
First things first. Let’s tell you how to pronounce Hygge. I’ve just watched a one minute video on it that could have been summed up in two seconds. Say “Hooger” but whisper the H. There, done. Now you know how to say it.
Hygge is the latest lifestyle craze from Denmark and its all about our emotional wellbeing; about detaching ourselves from the stresses and strains of everday life. For years now we have advertised our Holiday Cottages as an ‘Escape from the norm’ and that is what is at the heart of Hygge. It does actually go deeper than that of course as there are hordes of books on the subject but that’s it in a nutshell. We can’t be there all the time to ensure you achieve Hygge as you go about your daily business, but we can do our level best to ensure that you get it whilst you’re with us.
According to the author of The Little Book of Hygge, Meik Wiking, Hygge can be defined as “Togetherness, relaxations, indulgence, presence and comfort. It all boils down to the pursuit of everyday happiness”. What does he know? Well, he is the Chief Executive of The Happiness Research Institute! yes it’s a thing! He’s even met with the Minister of state for happiness in the United Arab Emirates. Yes, this job does exist!
Talking of pronunciation, I like to think of this guy as ‘Mike Viking’!
From the very start here at Woodfarm, the emphasis has always been on providing romantic, luxury accommodation with squishy sofas, log fires, candles and cosy surroundings. In the case of Woodfarm House its very much about the togetherness of family and friends.
I never set out to sell the concept of simply ‘renting Holiday Cottages’. It was always all about what that the Holiday Cottage does for you, our guests. It isn’t rocket science but it does seem to have worked as we get so much repeat business and more recommendations to family and friends than I could ever have imagined! It seems too much of a coincidence to me that Hygge sounds a lot like Hug.
Step two was to work with as many local businesses or ‘partners’ as we could to bring our guests the very best that Suffolk has to offer in terms of gourmet food and drink, in the comfort of their own home from home.
Some of those ‘partners’ include The Coddenham Food Stores just down the road, Alder Carr Farm in nearby Creeting St mary and the Earsham Street Deli in Bungay, who all have the most amazing ranges of local artisan food and drink, enjoyed by our guests for many years now.
In an article in Elle last month, Hygge is going to be all you’re going to hear about this Autumn! as books on the subject continue to hit the shelves (there’s already been nine this year) in a bid to educate Britain on how to get more ‘hygge’, such as The Art of Hygge, How to Hygge and Hygge: A Celebration of Simple Pleasures, Living the Danish Way out later this month.
In his book Meik explains why Danes are so good at Hygge; “Danes are aware of the decoupling between wealth and wellbeing. After our basic needs are met, more money doesn’t lead to more happiness and, instead, Danes are good at focusing on what brings them a better quality of life”
This is exactly what we have been promoting at Woodfarm Barns for years! Meik says “It is choosing rustic over new, simple over posh, and ambience over excitement” – I wonder if he’s ever looked at our website?
The word has worked its way into everyday life in Denmark and has various forms now as a noun, a verb and an adjective! Hyggelig(t), the adjective, can be used to mean “cosy” or “enjoyable”, but in some contexts is closer to the English “nice”. So there ya go.
So, if you’d like to get some Hygge into your life then why not have a good look at our Cottage Videos page and then check our Availability and come and get some Suffolk Hygge.
