Pia Edberg - The Cozy Life, Rediscover the Joy of the Simple Things Through the Danish Concept of Hygge

Copyright 2016 Pia Edberg

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Dedication

To my mother and father for always supporting me and providing me with a hyggeligt home.

And to my life partner, Tony Dean Smith, for his endless love and encouragement.

There were so many wonderful people who inspired me and kept me motivated to finish this book. Thank you for all of your support! I couldnt have done it without you.

To Chandler Bolt for providing me with the tools and resources to complete this book, to Diana Lim and Roy Yen for pushing me through my fears and keeping me on track with my goals, to my wonderful parents, Heini and Hortencia Edberg, for bringing me into this world and teaching me about the importance of family and a loving home, to my wonderful soul-mate and partner in crime, Tony Dean Smith, for always believing in me, and of course to my little fur-babies (cats), Charlie and Henry, for adding infinite amounts of hygge and love to my every day.

the Danish concept of coziness

the art of creating warmth, comfort, and wellbeing through connection, treasuring the moment, and surrounding yourself with things you love.

In todays world, were constantly rushing from one thing to the next and struggling with information overload. When was the last time you took a moment to be still and ask yourself if you were happy?

Do you ever feel like youre just blindly grinding through the day, and when you finally do get a chance to pause, its only to realize how much time has passed? Time is slipping through your hands, and the older you get, the faster it seems to fly.

Do you ever wish you had a better connection with yourself and those you care about? And what ever happened to the joy of simple things like a good conversation or a tasty, home-cooked meal?

This book is designed to help you slow down and enjoy lifes cozy moments. Its about embracing the little things and getting back in touch with whats truly important.

Ive devoted my life to self-improvement, devouring countless workshops, courses, and books, and through it all, Ive found a simple solution to make life a million times sweeter. Whether youre learning about mindfulness or simplicity, finding your passion, or improving your relationships, adding a little hygge can make a whole world of difference.

What is hygge?

Hygge is a treasured cultural phenomenon among citizens of Denmark, which is consistently voted as one of the happiest countries in the world. Studies show that gratitude is often tied to overall wellbeing, and this book will show you the Danish way of achieving that connection through hygge.

I promise that if you take the time to read this short book and implement the concepts in your own life, youll find yourself seeing the world with brand new eyes. You will feel more connected to yourself, the world, and the people all around you.

These pages hold the ingredients for creating a richer and deeper experience in everything we do. So if, perhaps, you want to wrap yourself in a lifestyle that feels like a warm hug, then this book is for you.

This transformation is meant to be easy and relaxed, just like hygge. And everyone is welcome. So find a comfortable place to read, grab your favourite hot beverage, light a candle, wrap yourself in a warm blanket or your coziest sweater, and hygge with me!

Its the month of November in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. November here signifies the official transition from autumn to winter, and I can feel it in my bones. The leaves are turning shades of orange, red, and yellow as they cover the ground they fall upon. Its the perfect time to start writing a book about being warm and cozy! My snowy pine and fir balsam scented candle burns next to me, and Ive got my comfiest slippers on my feet.

Lets begin with my journey into the life-changing practice of hygge.

In the summer of 1984, I was born in Nykbing Falster, just thirty minutes away from a tiny village called Hunseby on the Danish island of Lolland. My mother had moved to Denmark from the Philippines, and my father, a native Dane from Copenhagen, owned his own manufacturing company. He was born in the 1940s, so he was able to experience traditional hygge, before technology advanced Denmark into what it is today.

Christmastime was the quintessential season for us to hygge. Every year we chopped down our Christmas tree as a family and celebrated with julefrokost, a gathering of friends and family who ate a traditional meal of open-faced sandwiches and Aquavit, lasting for hours over candlelight. A wood-burning stove always kept the house warm and cozy in the wintertime. Summertime hygge consisted of meals out in the backyard, relaxing together under the sunset.

When I was five years old, we moved halfway across the world to Maple Ridge, British Columbia, a small suburb outside of Vancouver, Canada. I dont remember much, but I think I settled in fairly easily. I cant say it was the same for my parents, though.

Being immigrants, having to find their way and start from scratch must have been difficult. We didnt have a lot of money, and we lived in a tiny basement suite. But I loved it there and never felt the struggle. My father grew his business from the ground up, and my mother always made sure we had what we needed, whether it was a delicious, home-cooked meal or fresh sheets on our beds.

By the time I was nine, we had moved into a cute, little home in a small nearby heritage community called Hammond. Those were my favourite years as a child. I made the most incredible friends, and wed spend the entire day playing outside and having adventures. Hygge came easily. It was truly about the joy in the simple things and surrounding myself with the ones I loved.

At fourteen I moved across town and had to change high schools. At the time, I was the awkward, lanky girl with braces who only ever wanted peace on earth, and that didnt go over well with my new peers. These girls would call me names, spit on me, smear butter in my hair, and threaten to beat me up. My confidence plummeted. Things improved as we matured, but those memories stayed with me.

My early 20s were all about hedonism and seeking approval from others, probably because I was so scarred from high school and wanted so badly to fit in. I completed a University degree in Social Psychology and dabbled in song writing and guitar.