COLUMN: Another kind of warmth

Born in Venezuela and raised in Costa Rica, I was lucky to live my whole childhood surrounded by palm trees, birds chirping, and having my skin smell like sunblock. In my culture, the concept of warmth is very evident and multi-faceted. Warmth could be the sunny weather, a homemade meal, a hug, or kind words from family and strangers. Warmth, for us, is a lifestyle, a way of being, that involves us and those around. In Costa Rica, it is called pura vida. Anyone who visits Costa Rica will notice the frequent and versatile use of the expression. For example, if I asked someone how they are doing and they reply with pura vida, it means they are ‘doing very well’. It could also work as a greeting, as a farewell, or even as a confirmation. Pura vida is about an overall sense of well-being, of not sweating the small stuff, and about finding inner peace within oneself and also transmitting the feeling to others. You can find the phrase painted in murals, in merchandise, and even in travel campaigns. It is a philosophy that surrounds everything we, Ticos (diminutive way of calling Costa Ricans), do.

How do Danes thrive in such a cold environment?

Then, I moved to Denmark. Empty streets, reserved people, and very cold weather. At first, I thought that, perhaps, Danes were used to a more isolated life, “a life without warmth”, but I was wrong. As I got to know the city more and saw more people, I realised that even with so many odds against them, Danish people thrived. They were always friendly, kind, and welcoming. How did they manage to find warmth in such a cold environment? I discovered that warmth is actually an essential part of Danish society, but it has another name and another way of expression: hygge.

My first encounter with hygge 

My first experience with hygge occurred during my Intro Days at Aarhus University. A new Danish buddy of mine suggested we go to Studenterbaren and play some board games to escape from the cold weather. I was surprised when I got in: an orange light, wooden tables, the smell of beer, and walls made of bricks. The picture of a bar that I had in mind was the complete opposite of this one, and that is one difference between pura vida and hygge. While pura vida believers adapt to any scenario and are completely careless about order, cleanliness and detail, hygge believers see the importance of a well-thought-out space to bring peace and cosiness.

How to survive a cold winter

The simplicity of enjoying a board game with friends taught me how crucial it is to find activities that allow me to turn off my phone and put my mind at ease. This was my main motivation for buying an adult colouring book (yes, those exist). To incorporate hygge into my daily life, I made it a nightly ritual to sit down at my desk, with my pyjamas on, a nice warm cup of tea, and colour one entire page while listening to a podcast or catching up on a fun show. Hygge became a survival tool for this Latina’s lack of experience with cold winters. I realised that, as much as I love the sun, I cannot allow something so inconstant like the Danish weather determine my mood. I had to find sunshine in other ways.

For me, that meant going to Flying Tiger and spending copious amounts of time finding the perfect mug for my tea, getting some nicely scented candles, and scrolling through Goodreads to find some new books. While pura vida is all about being in touch with nature and experiencing the outdoors, hygge has taught me that it is also healing to spend time cuddled up in your blankets, enjoying the comfort of your home and your own company. While pura vida reminds me that I must say yes to new adventures and people, hygge has given me a lot of peace in knowing that it is okay to miss out on certain plans and that rest and relaxation are also a crucial part of what composes daily life.

My new favorite word

Although my Danish is pretty much nonexistent, hygge has become one of my new favorite words of all time (so much so, I went out of my way to learn how to pronounce it properly). For me, this Danish philosophy has become an integral part of my day-to-day in Denmark, and I love seeing Danes in the street live by this concept. Although the concepts may differ, both propose a way of living that is intentional, peaceful, loving, and warm. This is how I have made hygge my new pura vida.

Don’t get me wrong; I am not a pura vida traitor. I still love to laugh loudly, sing at the top of my lungs, give very tight hugs with no consideration for personal space, and share inappropriate jokes with my friends from time to time. I still believe that the secret to longevity is a combination of sunlight, the Pacific Ocean, and a good plate of Gallo Pinto for breakfast, but sometimes one must adapt to different circumstances. So, for the time I have left in Denmark, I am excited to incorporate hygge into my lifestyle. I am on a personal journey of finding another kind of warmth.