May I wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year and welcome to 2023!

I'm not a big fan of January / New Year's Resolutions like "lose a stone in January" or "I must be more organised and a Supermum by February". After the busyness (and sometimes stress) of Christmas I try to go easy on myself in January. However, I am in total awe and admiration of anyone who gives up alcohol or goes vegan for the month, that is quite an achievement. I like to lean much more to the idea of Hygge, the Scandinavian concept of the quality of cosiness that comes from doing simple things. 

This is much more my scene. Embracing this time to snuggle down in the dark nights rather than fight them. Reflect on the year just gone and may be plan for when the days start to get longer.  I will make my New Year, New Me diet and fitness goals when the weather is warmer and days are longer. That's not saying I won't set intentions but they will be things like doing a daily yoga / journaling / gratitude practice rather than start Couch25K (again). We do ourselves a disservice by not taking things easy during this time.  We should take our prompts from nature which is hibernating and making plans to grow in the spring.

But hygge is not all fluffy blankets and candles.  Whilst there is a certain element of closing the dark and cold outside it doesn't mean it's a time of isolation.  In Scandinavia it is also quite a social time where friends and family come round to share a time of togetherness, usually accompanied by lovely warming food and good cheer.

Staying inside is another hygge misconception.  The Scandinavians embrace being outside.  Whilst they may don their skis and go on cross country jaunts, we need to still get outside.  Those 10,000 steps a day won't happen by themselves and the benefits of being outside has so many rewards for your mental health.  Why not wrap up warm and go for a walk?  After all, there is no such thing has bad weather only inappropriate clothing.  We went to Fountains Abbey in December and saw a Kingfisher while walking by the river!  There is still plenty to look for even at this time of year.  Or why not find an outdoor ice-skating rink for a bit of fun and exercise? There are so many popping up in our towns and cities these days.

So if being hygge isn't something you had thought about before, why not give it a try this winter?

Sending light and love,

Victoria