Today’s post was written by Hayley from Just Hygge. She has over 24 years of teaching experience and is transitioning out of the classroom through Just Hygge. On Just Hygge, she talks about how to bring Hygge into your life through all aspects. If you’d like to read more of her content or get ideas of how to hygge-ify your life, check her out! She writes more about herself and her perspective at the bottom of this post as well 🙂
A brief reminder of the meaning or definition of Hygge. The concept of Hygge (try the pronunciation Hoo-ga) is synonymous with a feeling of cosiness and comfort. In real life, I understand Hygge as a philosophy that means you live your life with intention, ease and flow. Hygge is a concept that you can adopt for your own life and Hygge lifestyle and incorporate in a way that suits you. Hygge in the classroom is another way of enjoying this lifestyle choice.
The phrase “those that can do and those that can’t teach” is one I have heard on more than one occasion. Less so in recent years as the absolute need and workload of educators worldwide has been brought to the fore as a result of the pandemic. We can all recall schools closing, home-learning, on-line teaching as synonymous with those days….. I was there experiencing it as a teacher, parent, and representative of teachers during a Sky news interview. The status of teachers most certainly increased during these ‘lock down’ times. After 24+ years in the classroom I am slowly transitioning to a new stage in my career with a huge focus on ease and flow in all aspects. This is where the Just Hygge aspect of living comes from. To replace me and others leaving the classroom as a result of career change, retirement or burn out (sorry it’s true), there will be an influx of graduates and post-graduates eager to step into the classroom and begin.
If I was asked if I would go into teaching again, I would say yes. This time however it would be with a Hygge focus for both me and for the Hygge classroom I would create. Quite simply a Hygge classroom and focus will create an environment that is both aesthetically pleasing but supportive of your mental health and well-being. This will also support the students too so positive outcomes all round. Here are some Hygge ideas for the Hygge classroom and what I would do.
To begin, organise and de-clutter.
Remove everything that doesn’t serve you. Don’t feel tempted to fill the space again with clutter… less really is more. If you are in one classroom then you can really de-clutter to your hearts content, mindful that anything you are unsure of should be reserved for its owner, allowing them the choice to decide. Irrespective these items should be placed in a box and removed from your classroom. Keep only those that will support you in a Hygge lifestyle. Please please remember that if you do discard of anything you later need then it will be possible to easily replace it and quite often in a more superior version. Honestly it is true. To reduce the feeling of scarcity simply take copies, back it all up and relax.
If this is a shared school space, speak to your classroom partner and let them know what you intend to do particularly with regards the visual aspects that they will be surrounded with. Sharing ideas is a feature of a Hygge lifestyle.
Overall the decor should be neutral and calming.
Backing paper, exercise book covers, picture frames. Purchase resources mindful of the vibe of Hygge supplies you need. Contrast with natural colours of shades of green to bring the outside in. Think pastel colours which are calming.
Hygge is synonymous with gentle light and at home this can be found with candles. Clearly this is a no-go in the classroom due to the combination of naked flame and children both big and small. Instead use battery powered fairy lights around your board, shelving or desk. Go one step further and position individual candles with a battery powered flame. I love a flickering candle close by always. As always health and safety are a priority.
Speaking of fire, there are few things cozier than an open fire. A simple Youtube search and you will find videos of crackling logs in a fireplace for hours and hours. Enough time to create that cozy feeling in your Hygge classroom. This works really well during the Winter months, and you will find others which suit other seasons with Autumn trees and leaves and Spring flowers to name a few. Take advantage of the great outdoors irrespective of the weather and enjoy some Hygge and nature. The natural world is a classroom all of its own and use it as a resource for learning or simply bring the outdoors inside to replicate that Hygge feeling.
That much deserved break can be enjoyed in your choice of Hygge mug. Is it possible to share a break time drink with students as they all bring in their favourite mug? A biscuit or two added to the occasion will support the cozy Hygge vibe.
A positive quote adorning the classroom walls to inspire and motivate is another Hygge idea.
The quote can be changed once a week so the senses are not overwhelmed, and the message can be savoured during the working week and into the weekend. Consider changing on a Friday at the end of the day as part of wind-down time or on a Monday morning to motivate and inspire and start the week with fresh input. Be aware of not using what I refer to as ‘shouty quotes’ , those that tell the reader what to do, how to feel, how to behave in a dictatorial sense.
A personal favourite of mine is plants adorning the classroom.
Ideally real plants that can be cared for and loved by students in your classroom. If possible, consider planting seeds and nurturing them to fruition. Fruit and vegetables are a great choice as you can devour the outcomes and with it an abundance of learning opportunities. Flowers too to enhance the environment are a great alternative. I always have my own plant on my desk to help me focus on the present and the beauty of life which can sometimes be forgotten in the bus busyness of the day.
Music can be played at opportune moments to support the Hygge classroom vibe you are trying to create.
I really do steer away from allowing students to listen to music through headphones and airpods (and whatever is coming next). A shared experience common place with the Hygge lifestyle I advocate is best achieved when all are taking part. You are also showing consideration for all by telling them that the music you have chosen is especially for them and their needs. You could have music for working, tidying away, music for group work, individual work, as they come into the classroom, leave the classroom, beginning and/or end of the day… lots of choices. Remember to ensure that the children are allowed to choose too so maybe at the end of half term or before the holidays they can choose what everyone listens to or indeed allow them to have their own personal choice through their headphones et al.
Looking to support the sense of smell in your classroom?
Always is my answer… if this isn’t created naturally with flowers consider essential oils which will support the classroom ambiance and learning atmosphere you are trying to create. Similarly, to support your mental health and well-being many essential oil suppliers have small roller-ball products with essential oils which can be kept in a desk drawer or pencil case. It’s quick and easy and discrete enough to roll the chosen oil onto the wrists at any given time.
Finally, a static classroom is almost impossible to achieve.
Allowing students to move using your guidance is one way for them to know that you understand their needs and give them the ‘brain break’ that we all need. Sharing consideration for others is a true Hygge feature and can be replicated in the Hygge classroom. Simple ability and age-appropriate yoga classes are available online and do not need additional resources to complete – a bit of space and time mindful of health and safety is sufficient. You can even theme the yoga sessions.
Enjoy your Hygge classroom and remember that Hygge is for everyone…. everywhere.
Hi. I’m Hayley, founder of. ‘Just Hygge.’‘ A real welcome to you to this on-line space and the Hygge philosophy. Here I share all that is part of the ‘Just Hygge’ philosophy, living each day with intention and ease and flow at its core. I have worked as a teacher/middle manager for over 24 years and run a busy family home life too. I embrace the Just Hygge philosophy and believe it can be found in the everyday moments at work, home and play so I can live with intention and ease and flow.
Finding our way through this journey of life I have worked through several transitions and in all honestly still do. Overtly I am a mother, wife, friend, sister, daughter and so on; despite these guises the one golden thread that runs throughout is the desire to be happy and live a life of truth. This is where the concept of Hygge takes prominence. For me, Hygge is living a life of intention and purpose and doing so with the essence of ease and flow. Making decisions with understanding of the who what why when and how, and then enacting those decisions with ease and flow at its core. Living intentionally and with purpose in this way maintains mental health and well-being for me and I hope that the content I share provides a conduit to sharing this lifestyle has the same benefits to you too.
