Winter is here.
As we roll into December, the days get shorter, the darkness comes early and we accept that winter is essentially here. With the air around us becoming frigid, we will spend the next few months debating if it is worth layering up to venture out for every small task, or is it better to stay on the couch under multiple blankets. The warm confines of our home seems to win out over the cold sunless outside world. This voluntary confinement though can leave us feeling cutoff and isolated, making winter seem only colder and darker. However, we can change the way we view winter by learning from people who have embraced it for centuries.
Denmark, and Norway are two countries that sit at the top of the world literally and metaphorically. With Norway having portions of their territory in the Arctic Circle, and Denmark’s coastline being in the North Sea, these countries are no strangers to harsh winters with exceptionally long stretches of darkness and undoubtedly cold temperatures. Even the summers are mild, with plenty of precipitation to remind the local populous of what is to come. However, these countries tend to dominate the United Nations World Happiness Report year after year. With Denmark coming in at second and Norway at an impressive seventh. Even the country ranked first, Finland, shares similar longitude and latitude with its sub-arctic neighbor Norway. For comparison, the United States doesn’t break top 10 and comes in at number fifteen (right behind Ireland). Now this report considers a number of factors in how individuals evaluate life as well as perceptions of their government. But these countries have maintained their high status for years and it might be largely due to a couple ideas that are engrained in their culture.
The Danish idea of “hygge”, and the Norwegian “friluftsliv” mean different things but both enable the people of these northern regions to embrace life regardless if the sun is shining or not. In enables them to do more than survive the winter, in empowers them to thrive in it.
Hygge, pronounced “hooga”, dates back to the 1800s and is about taking time away from the hustle and bustle of life. Stepping away from work, from noise, and to enjoy some quiet time and to get cozy. Often times, it is also about community, taking this informal time to be with family and close friends in a setting that enables communication. Not going to a loud bar or interactive event, rather an opportunity to unwind and take things slow. To celebrate the small successes in life that bring us joy, and share it with those close to us.
Friluftsliv goes in a bit of a different direction, where it is all about being outdoors. It is a philosophy that anytime spent outdoors is time well spent even during the winter. It isn’t about doing some form of serious activity like cross country skiing, it can be as simple as layering up and taking a walk on a snowy path or even wrapping up in a blanket and sitting outside. It is about connecting to nature regardless of age, activity or time of year.
The beauty of these different concepts, is that we do not need to adhere to one single principle. We can take aspects of each one, and figure out how we can best use it for us. The overall intent, so to make something of winter. To find a shining light in the cold darkness and do more than just survive until spring. Whether it is setting aside time every week to meet with a close friend for coffee to feel connected, to walk every morning and see the magnificence of a winter sunrise.
With these concepts, either as standalone or a combination of the two, comes intention. We have to make it a point to take the time to be with those friends in a quiet moment, or to go outside and into nature. Intention requires choice. We can choose to sit and wait for the sun to come, or we can venture out to greet it. We can choose to be removed from the people we care about, or we can choose to seek out opportunities to come together. Even the smallest change can bring forward more connection and purpose. Which will make the long cold dark winter months seem just a bit shorter.
