Hygge

Good learning about a new word I read somewhere today. Hygge seems to be the way people would live if their world was still as simple as it once used to be. For instance, it reminded me of the sunny winter days of my childhood when we spread out our cotton quilts in the balcony to soak up the warmth. After lunch, I would spread out a thick mat on the floor of the balcony and cocoon into the toasty quilt. There is nothing in the world for me as hygge as those preparing for those naps. 

Over the years, I have tried to re-create that slice of childhood and found it to be an impossible task. India of my childhood is ancient history. I would not know where to find the place where I could doze off to sleep lulled by the sounds of sparrows chirping, the occasional breeze rustling the leaves of the pipal tree undisturbed by any man-made sounds. 

My life was far from perfect back then but in that hour that I napped, every trouble took flight and I experienced a perfect peace. In my home here, there is an abundance of room and there are those early spring days when the sun could very well toast a razai. But those are a relic of the past - another life, another time. A razai needs to be fluffed every few seasons so they stay hygee. Nostalgia can get you and one of these quilts together but it won't be relationship that lasts very long or bring the joy that it is naturally meant to. 

Reading about hygee made me wonder if it might be that cozy can only exist in an environment where almost every easy solution is lacking.