I like having patterns and structures to my blog posts, even if some weeks the only thing I chose to do with that structure is just ignore it. I really enjoyed the A Weekend With… series and I may well go back to them at some stage in the future, but I feel the need for something different at the moment.  It’s summertime and we’re all too busy to spend the weekend hunched over computers and looking at blogs. So, time for something shorter to read.

I have loved looking into hygge and all the connected life-elements that go with it, the time spent with friends, the concentrating on happy things, the recognition that even if I’m just sitting having a coffee I can choose a place that makes me comfortable. I was delighted when Hygge made the top 10 of words for 2016, and I would still love it to be The Word of 2017, but I fear it may be too mainstream now. As The Local DK says, it’s in the OED and that makes it officially acceptable. We still don’t have enough of it around at the moment, but it’s keeping a lot of readers very happy.

The Independent describes Hygge as  “focused largely on the idea of making the ordinary special, or meaningful, through ritualising everyday activities such as making a cup of coffee or having dinner; that means putting technology to one side, and embracing simple practices such as lighting candles, purchasing flowers, or brewing real tea in china cups. ” So, looking after yourself and others, basically.

I’m still a mad hygge-nut, don’t get me wrong, but inspired by some of the other words I’ve picked up as part of my hygge studies and practices, I thought that having a Word for the Weekend might be a good idea. Take a word from a language that means something good, look at how it can be used in our everyday life and spend the weekend incorporating (or avoiding) the word as much as possible. It would increase my vocabulary, give me an insight into another culture (because the words we choose to need in a language do show what the culture deems important) and give me inspiration to live well.

I’m starting it from next Friday, so look out for that. I’m also hoping to get back into the blogging habit.  I’ve missed you all. and I love writing for the blog. I expect the regularity of my writing depends on both how busy the Boss keeps me at work and how well I am doing at writing my Christmas Hygge book. Most afternoons, I end up at my desk, headphones on and listening to Christmas music while I get myself in the mood to write about cold, dark, snowy nights as the sun beats down and the fan tries, impossibly, to keep me cool. The aim is to have it ready for publication by mid September. Wish me luck.

My first two books are available now:  50 Ways to Hygge the British Way  is available in Paperback and Kindle version and so is How to Hygge Your Summer, again in Paperback and Kindle form, from Amazon.  If you purchase through the links on this page, I get a couple of pence extra per copy, and if you’ve already read it and enjoyed it, please leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads. I have a Goodreads Author’s Page!

My blog is on Facebook as How to Hygge the British Way and you can now follow me on Bloglovin as well. I’m personally also on Twitter and Instagram and as a member of The Hygge Nook on Facebook.

****How to Hygge the British Way Blog isn’t monetised. I have taken the decision that I want to remain neutral and not to promote things just because. I will only ever review items that I have bought myself, or that I think will help to promote hygge in a busy life. To do this, I need support. Even just the price of a coffee adds up to a book over time, and it means I can stay independent. Would you help? Please consider clicking through to paypal.me/HyggeJem and leaving even a small amount. I’d be very grateful. Thank you.***