Okay… I like the idea of hygge and this book, but I guess this book was not made to make me feel hygge.
I think the book is a nice reminder to try to enjoy life and the importance of relaxation and connection with other people, but the author oversimplifies self care here.
In a world where burn-out, anxiety and depression, one cannot state that you simply have to relax and that candles, candles, blankets, candles, good food, candles, family, candles, friends and CANDLES and did-you-know-you-can-make-candles-yourself-candles can make you happy and relaxed. Of course all these things as having quality time with friends, making your house cozy (with candles), doing yoga etc. are a great way to improve your mental health, but it is by far not enough for a good state of body and mind, what the author almost seems to imply here. Burning candles is a nice start, but it is - again - an oversimplification of self care.
Than, there are a few contradictions in the book. First of all, the author states that the Danish eat whatever they want and that therefore, they may won’t live as long as other people since they don’t eat healthy, but at least they enjoy it: hygge. A little later in the book the author states that eating what you want does not mean it is unhealthy, because (she states) there is less obesity in Sweden than in Great Britain. Besides the fact that this is a weak argument since only Sweden and Great Britain are called here (what happened with the Danes?) and this could also be a correlation and not causation, it is a huge contradiction.
Second, one of the core things of hygge is that there are no rules, according to the author. Thereafter, she states LOADS of rules to do the hygge. The author literally states them as rules. It’s just weird.
Okay, finally (for now), there is SO. MUCH. REPETITION. About candles, for example. Burn candles, please do. They’re so great. The Danish use them all the time. Have you considered candles? Did you know the Danish even have a name for people who burn lots of candles? Anyways, dimming your lights and burning candles is great. You can also makes them yourself. Danish burn the most candles of all people in the world. And I understand them ‘cause candles are great. Watch out if you burn candles, don’t ever leave them unwatched. You can even make candles yourself, but not in bright colors (one of the rules of hygge according to the author).
Omg. This book could have been about 10 pages if you would exclude the candle part.
Okay. That’s it. Two star, cause the book is a good reminder to take care of yourself. Just read the first two chapters. The rest is about weird rules and candles.