Self Care this Holiday Season & Adopting the Swedish art of Lagom

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the co-founders of hygge | HABIT have some, shall we say, alternative thoughts when it comes to the (Halloween to News Years) holiday season.  

We prefer to relish in the hygge traditions and focus on curating cozy moments and memories that are void of the traditional holiday decor clutter, opting for simplicity over chaos and sharing home made meals instead of swapping gifts. If you are feeling like the traditional madness, from shopping and over indulging in food, has run its course, we have some hygge habits to try instead this holiday season. 

But first let us introduce you to the Scandinavian art of “Lagom,” a Swedish word meaning "just the right amount". The Lexin Swedish-English dictionary defines lagom as "enough, sufficient, adequate, just right". Lagom is also widely translated as "in moderation", "in balance", "perfect-simple", and "suitable" (in matter of amounts).

To bring just enough to your life this season, may we suggest—

1. Adding some whitespace to your calendar by embracing JOMO (the joy of missing out):

   1. Get out of the events that you know are more draining on you than energizing

   2. Don’t host your own holiday party this season

   3. Commit to less parties in general

      Ask the host when the latest RVSP date is so that you can buy some time to figure out if you really want to go, or so that you can make a last minute decision to attend

2. Embrace the beauty of the changing season by spending some time outside:

   1. Bring friends & family along for a walk through your neighborhood or a hike in the wilderness

   2. And if its snowy (we hope it is), enjoy some snow covered recreation

      There is no better way to center yourself than to physically connect with Mother Nature. And there are a whole host of mood boosting effects from being outside as well, whether it be from getting some vitamin D or breathing fresh air.

3. Less is more with holiday decor- instead of buying new decor this year, try:

   1. Reusing what you already have in a different way

   2. Using earth elements found in your yard such as sticks, dead flowers, etc to make wreaths or filing vases

   3. Shop at second hand stores instead of buying new if you truly need something

   4. Buy a second-hand synthetic tree instead of a real Christmas tree. Or hang small tinsel/ ornaments on your house plants

4. Avoid unnecessary financial stress & landfill clutter by doing everything BUT buying new gifts:

   1. Make homemade gifts instead of shopping

   2. Shop your home for holiday (re)gifts

   3. Shop vintage or consignment and find truly unique gifts for loved ones

   4. Skip the presents altogether and donate to charities or causes that you believe in

5. Don’t stress about your attire:

   1. Shop your closet to create new holiday outfits or plan to re-wear last year’s ensembles. The likelihood that anyone can remember or care is extremely low. And if they care, do you?

   2. Swap/share with friends of a similar size for new-to-you holiday attire

   3. Buy second-hand, but please read all labels as synthetic holiday clothing such as sequins, knock-off velvet, vegan/ plastic leather is one of the biggest polluters of micro-plastics

Remember the Swedish term ‘lagom’ to ground yourself in “perfect-simple” balance. Trusting that any more material items won’t change how you actually feel in the moment at these holiday parties, after opening all of the presents, after overeating food. You are enough this holiday season, you have enough.

So here’s to lagom! And to always having just enough and not too much.