Studio Hygge

I’ve recently read a book written by the CEO of the Happiness Institute in Denmark. There’s a nice job title! He works at finding out what makes people happy and then reporting how Denmark stacks up against other countries in the area of overall life satisfaction. I found it both an easy read and an eye-opener about the things in my own life that could use some happiness adrenaline. I also noticed how many things I already do that contribute to my level of happiness and life satisfaction.

The term used in Dutch is Hygge (Hoo ga). Loosely translated it is the people and things in your environment that create a feeling of comfort, belonging, calmness and sensory pleasure. Of course, the examples in the book are specific to a Nordic country where it is cold most of the time so, if you are reading this from a warm climate these will not resonate. With a little reflection, I’m sure you can find the things that bring you hygge, or you would like to have to increase your happiness.

So according to the book, there are certain things embraced by the Danes that are high in hygge. Here are the top 10.

I took a look at my own studio and took note of the ways things are arranged and what is purposely included and excluded to make my studio a place where I enjoy working. For me, it goes without saying that creating art is a major factor in my life that contributes to my well-being, life satisfaction and creative joy. I bet you feel that way when you are making art too.

Candles are popular in Denmark but, with my collection of fabric and paper, I don’t embrace the idea of an open flame in my work space. I also don’t want soot from the flames collecting on any surfaces. I do however have a diffuser and a few favorite essential oils that I use in the space. My studio is in the basement of my house and there is no fireplace. I have my own heating zone and I like it cozy. But rather than warmth from a fire, I have some favorite clothes that bring me a warmth coziness while I work. The sweater is old and has paint spatters on it. It’s stretched out in all the right places. The sweatshirt is pretty old too and has more paint spatters on it and it is tattered at the sleeves. I love it because not only is it warm, it keeps me from getting paint on even more of my clothes. My apron makes me serious about making my art. It signals me to get painting and let loose. I also have some comfy paint stained pants.

My phone is generally on silent and I use it as an alarm if I need to be somewhere. It provides music when I am tidying up but, I keep its use at a minimum in the studio. As for the pleasures of my studio, I have a little tea pot that makes two cups of tea and I will often steep up some Cinnamon Rooibos or Lemon Ginger Tea to take along. That little teapot is also something that signals studio time for me. I use it for other times too, but when I bring it down to the studio I know I’m going to be there a while and that makes me happy.

I am thankful for my studio every day. Even when I don’t get to spend much time in there. It’s where I begin my day with meditative collage or sketching. The gratitude I feel for being fortunate enough to have a space all to myself filled with supplies is a source of true joy.

 I think creating art is the epitome of harmony. Do the colors play well together? The shapes? Is the piece balanced and harmonized are all things we ask ourselves about our art. But I believe the real power of being creative is that you are so engaged in what you are doing that you have no interest or head space to think about what other people are doing. You are in harmony with your ideas, intuition and materials. Time is irrelevant. So are politics, drama, and nonsense that have nothing to do with your well-being. It’s a mental truce for your thoughts. You and the materials playing with unlimited possibilities.

The togetherness aspect of hygge can be pretty limited in the studio. However, most of the time when I seek out the company of others, or share what I am doing in my studio I choose carefully and spend time with people I find uplifting and supportive. Occasionally, I spend time with people who do not draw these feelings out of me and I get emotionally exhausted. I find that a little time in the studio can be very restorative. I guess my togetherness factor includes spending time with my textiles, paints, surfaces and tools.

 My studio is a proverbial shelter for my creative spirit. It is a place to expend my energy among materials I love and to share the results with people I trust. It’s a safe place to make mistakes, learn and grow without judgement. It’s different than the other spaces in my life. I don’t have to curate my thoughts to meet any agenda but my own. I have friends that I am comfortable with that I can also be honest with at all times. I think that’s a huge boost for your happiness. I’m sure you have go-to people you call when you want a calm, casual, relaxing get together.

Your local library surely has a copy of this book, or one similar. It’s an easy read and probably an even easier audio book for your commute. It reinforced some things that I was already doing and shed light as to why I love them so much. It also gave me some ideas about how I can bring things into the studio and remove clutter in some places to make it an even happier place.

 If your studio is the kitchen table, remind yourself of the gatherings and comfort it has brought you. Be grateful for the space and time to work on it. If you have a designated space, perhaps you want to give it a quick review and see how you can add more happiness to the space, whatever that means to you. Because the happier you are in your creative space, the more joy will be expressed in your work.

Thanks for reading and feel free to leave a comment! Have a happy and creative day!

Claude