A what? Hygge? And it’s pronounced “hoo-guh”. I know, I keep wanting to say hygiene, too.
But what is a hygge and why am I blogging about it? According to Denmark.dk, a “hygge is about taking time away from the daily rush to be together with people you care about – or even by yourself – to relax and enjoy life’s quieter pleasures”.
One of my best friends, Amy, is launching a travel business called The Exhale Collective, and her first endeavor centered around this amazing concept. After doing plenty of research, Amy found the coziest (and largest) wooden cabin on the outskirts of Galena, Illinois called Wonder Bear Lodge. Twelve women from various areas across Amy’s life soon descended upon this lodge.
My other friend Dana and I arrived first along with Amy. We helped her unload her car and which was chock full of healthy and hearty foods, tea and coffee, fuzzy socks, yoga mats, candles, puzzles, games, coloring books…the works! We were all set to have the type of weekend that many women need and are absolutely willing to pay for.
Packing for this trip was the easiest it has ever been. I was so excited to only pack “lounge wear” and slippers for the entire weekend. I was ready to unwind and relax – and that’s just what I did.
After we all got settled, I popped open my laptop and started blogging for the first time in awhile. I just haven’t had the same attention span or desire needed to inspire writing. I get easily distracted at home with the things I feel I should be doing instead. However, because of this experience, I am feeling so relaxed and rejuvenated, that I am even writing THIS blog! 🙂
Dinner the first night was chicken pot pie from Bang Bang Pie Shop in Logan Square. For being so close to my home, I never tried their pies, and they were delicious!! With a full belly and happy heart, I was feeling sleepy and content. So I sent myself to bed early, as is the hygge way.
Saturday was our only full day on site. I woke up around 8:30 and poked around eating random breakfast items. I showered and did my exercise routine while the rest of the ladies enjoyed french toast bake and avocado toast.
At 10:30, a wonderful woman from Challenge to Change named Molly came to join us for a sound bath and restorative yoga. Still in my lounge wear, I fell deep into a meditative state during the sound bath. Various tones and vibrations seemed to push my many millions of thoughts outside of my brain, allowing me to truly enjoy the moment.
The fabulous Molly then lead us through deep, long stretches while covered in warm blankets and surrounded by essential oils. We were guided in speaking kindly and in a child-like manner to our younger selves. What is little Corie’s destiny? It was such a precious concept, that as my younger self’s face flashed through my mind’s eye, it was soon replaced by my own daughter’s face. All the feels immediately started to bubble out of my eyes, and it was a soothing, yet uncomfortable release.
After yoga, the group could once again be found in front of the fire place – blogging, knitting, chatting, puzzle-making. Lunch consisted of more pies – this time tomato and butternut squash – and then I took a nap.
My Saturday evening included Cann cannabis tonics drinks, homemade bolognese sauce, and a hot tub. This was seriously the best kind of high.
There are no words to express my gratitude. Not only to Amy for this amazing experience and her hard work, but also to myself for taking and properly utilizing this time. I feel like a new person, and ready to bring the best version of myself – wife, mother, friend, pizza-eater and fashionable traveler – back into the world.
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