Youth talk

As an enthusiast of the planned break or even ‘healthy hedonism’, as How to Hygge author Signe Johansen calls it, I was delighted when earlier this year I came across what I recently learned is a word that has been around for some time: hygge. Yes, I’m late to the party as I usually am, for the term really took off in 2016 with it being added to the Collins Words of the Year list, second only to Brexit.

The word conjures up images of hot beverages, winter woolies and cosying up by the fireplace. These are certainly not images that one would conjure up about Bahraini winters. However, being a fan of kicking back every once in a while, who am I kidding, more like any chance I get, I find the concept to be highly intriguing.

Pronounced hoo-guh or even hue-guh, while not having a direct English translation, is said to be closest in meaning to the English word cosiness with some arguing that it is simply a word to be felt and not translated.

The Scandinavian term encompasses the feelings of comfort, togetherness, or even relishing in one’s own solitude and is characteristic of long, dreary winter days. It’s an excuse for people to take time out for themselves or to spend it with loved ones.

This hygge lifestyle is credited with pushing Denmark, the country that takes ownership of this word and concept, to the top of the UN’s world happiness ranking, so the Danes must be up to something, right?

Long, dreary winter days, or nights for that matter, are not a thing in Bahrain. Although colder climates are hopefully in tow! Still, seeing to it that hygge doesn’t necessarily have to be associated with frigid temperatures, we could use a little of it in our lives. Round up some pals, get out the hot chocolate and bask in some conviviality; your mind will thank you for it.