Finding your Hygge!

A year ago, I decided it would be fun to fall down the stairs and severely sprain my ankle and fracture my fibula. As it was my right leg, I couldn’t drive or really leave the house on my own for over 3 months. For the 1st week, I was absolutely miserable. In a big boot and riding a knee scooter, I tried my best to take care of myself. It wasn’t pretty.

The first night, I wanted to bring water up to bed so I devised a good plan. I would have a backpack with my Yeti in it that I could crawl up the stairs with. So, I scoot over to the fridge on my sexy scooter, took the Yeti out, bent over to get ice/water from the fridge and placed the full Yeti on the counter. (This is easy!) I then proceeded to turn around to get the backpack off my back to put my nighttime hydration in and I knocked the 30 oz container onto the floor, spilling out ice and water ALL OVER the hard woods. 

I break down sobbing. For a while. Once I collect myself, I scoot through the water/ice and get to the sink and grab towels and then spend the next 10 minutes doing my best to soak up the water and throw every ice cube into the sink. I went to bed thirsty and frustrated. 

Why was I by myself without help, you may ask? The answer is me. It was all me. My kids offered to stay at my house instead of going to their dad’s. My fiancé asked to come over and help me. Countless other people, and I mean countess, offered to shop for me, cook for me, keep me company.  Did I accept their offers? No, of course not. A divorced, single mom for over 12 years now, I was as independent as they came. I could do it myself.

The next week was more of the same, I tripped up one step between my family room and kitchen trying to use crutches twice (I still have a scar on my shin from that).  I came close to falling trying to pull myself up from the floor onto the bed one time. Everything was so difficult and I was exhausted. On week 2, I woke up and had a big talk with myself. I could either be frustrated and miserable for the next 3 months, or I could find a way to find gratitude and happiness.

This started with me saying YES to all of those offers of help. As soon as I did this, food or groceries were dropped off for me, friends came over and brought me lunch to keep me company, presents and flowers showed up unexpectedly. I honestly couldn’t believe it and felt kind of like a dumb ass for being so stubborn.

I felt so taken care of and loved. 

I started settling into my temporary new normal and it wasn’t half bad! I started writing more, sleeping more, calling friends to catch up, getting computer work done for my businesses, relaxing, watching Netflix, etc. I found that I loved being at home, in my pajamas, not having much of a schedule to keep. The beginnings of Socket even came out of this time in my life. 

I was on Cathy time and it felt great and I was happy. 

One night, Jason and I were sitting on the couch and he said, “I think you have found your hygge!” Hygge Whataa?? I looked it up and it is a Danish word that means “an atmosphere of warmth, well-being and cosiness, being in the moment and enjoying life’s simple pleasures with those you love, many times at home.” Ah, yes, hygge. 

I found my hygge and I have never let it go. In my basement studio that I built for Socket recordings, I even have the definition hung on the wall to never forget. Every once in a while, I look down at my wrist and think about a teeny tiny tattoo with the word. Maybe one day I will be brave enough to do it.