Have you heard of hygge? Pronounced hue-gah, it’s the Danish concept of coziness, comfort and contentment. It’s about being present, and joyful, and together, while having cozy lights and blankets, and books and a warm drink.

I first heard about hygge from my mom. She’s the bomb at making her home feel very hygge. Pretty lights, cozy blankets, fun snacks. Maybe we’d watch a movie or play a game, but no matter what we did, it was always together. And I think that’s what makes hygge feel so, well, hygge!

Family time is very important to me, and I’m sure I get it from my sweet mum. Growing up, she always asked us, (her teenage children up in their rooms) if we’d come down to spend some time together in the evenings. She prioritized spending time with her kids, and I want to model the same in my home.

To start that, the first thing that has to hit the road is a bad attitude. No one’s gonna feel at peace if momma’s mad. I’m so serious when I say, a mother’s mood sets the tone for the whole household. I know it’s not realistic to think that I’ll never be in a bad mood again. It’s almost humorous to even think about it. But sometimes we have to look at the bigger picture.

“to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” Titus‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬, ‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What’s more important to you, being mad and making sure everyone knows you’ve been offended or inconvenienced in some way, or acknowledging your feelings, but leaving them behind and giving your full attention and happy attitude to your family?

I know it’s hard to always be in a good mood. Trust me. I know. But I’m going to really try and make an effort to be a mom who doesn’t take her anger out on her husband and children. And I think that will make our home feel very hygge.

“Your home should be the antidote to stress, not the cause of it.” -Peter Walsh

Another thing that I think has to take a backseat is our phones. I know, “Jocelyn! Why can’t I have my phone? It’s how I relax.” Well phones are a huge attention hog. I know first hand how distracting my phone can be. Especially when you have social media. Goodness gracious, the amount of scrolling I used to do was so unhealthy. I actually went the extreme route and completely deleted my instagram account last year, and then this year I logged off my facebook. I did it for a few reasons, but one of my main reasons was the amount of time I spent on them.

I want my family to remember my face and my smile, not my Psych themed phone case. I want to be present when my family is around me, not distracted.

In summary, I believe hygge is about way more than pretty lights and a cozy fire. It’s about our moods, and how we live. Do we live joyfully and in the moment, or do we let our negative emotions control our days, and stay hidden behind a screen?

My prayer for you and I; Lord, thank you for hygge. Thank you for our families, and our homes. Thank you for blessing us with your joy and love and strength. Help us to make our lives and homes full of hygge. Please help us to be present with our families and to be light and joy in their lives. Thank you for everything you’ve given us, and done for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.