Hygge anyone? Hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”) is a Danish word for taking pleasure from the simple cozy things in life and the company of friends. Hygge is also the Danish art of contentment, comfort, and connection. Hygge is a sense of abundance and contentment, of being not having.
You may have guessed that I’m Danish (at least half) 🙂 I really admire my Danish ancestors for their insight into what life is all about: simplicity, contentment, connection.
For the month of November, my focus has been on simplifying: letting go and decluttering. I’ve made a conscious effort to let go of items no longer serving me and in return free up that negative energy so I have space to abundantly receive what I desire.
For instance, I spent a day going through my clothes, all of them! I spent time, Marie Kondo fashion, deciding whether I still enjoyed wearing it, and if it fit properly. I took a few brand name items to a local consignment store, and the rest filled a huge suitcase which I donated to a local charity. I have to say, this task was made a little easier with the help of my daughter who gave her opinion as to color, fit, and style.
I also realized the items I was “letting go of” were more trendy and now out of style. The result is I’m going to be more conscious of buying “investment pieces” that will serve me for longer than just a season.
After the closet cleaning, I felt so much freer, aligned, and organized because I now have space to hang all my clothes on proper hangers and not squeezed together! This closet cleaning also gave me an opportunity to see all the clothes I own and be more creative in the outfits I can put together. What fun!
As a result of cleaning my clothes closet, I began thinking: “What else am I holding onto in my life that no longer is of value or serves me? What else do I want to let go of? Where else can I free energy?”
Another area of my life to let go is in my health and eating. I’m making an effort to eat less sugar and more greens. I’ve also learned that I can’t say “no sugar” or else I”ll start the deprivation/over indulge cycle. In other words, lose a few pounds, gain them all back! (Anyone else ever done this?) So I’m allowing myself that small piece of very dark chocolate at night with my evening tea:)
I’m also exercising more. I just started a cardio dance class which I absolutely love. It satisfies both my desire to dance more and get my heart rate elevated. Plus it’s fun!
Anyone else have like a hundred different passwords which you can’t remember, so you have to constantly change them, only to not remember them again 🙁 This is an area I definitely will be “cleaning up”!
I’ll let you know how this goes, as I have to remember the passwords before I can change them. But I have decided on a method for me. I’m going with a password for personal, one for financial, one for business. This may or may not be the most secure method, but I’m going to go with it. I think I’ll be able to remember three passwords!
So how does this simplify principal apply to finances? I’m all about making it easier to manage your money. I don’t have a dozen different retirement accounts, I’ve consolidated them into one, and suggest you do the same! You only have to remember one password then 🙂 and it’s easier to keep track of.
What areas in your life can you let go of to create space for more positive energy? Where do you want to simplify so you can experience contentment?
When you’re ready to simplify your finances, or getting ready to retire and not sure how to consolidate all those 401(k)s, schedule your free 20 minute money chat to discuss your options.