The bleakness of a Michigan winter wears at your soul in ways no out-of-stater can understand. 

We all know the beautiful moments: Frozen mornings when the snow is new and pristine, shining in the bright sunlight. Ice clinging to every tree and sparkling like diamonds against the blue sky. It’s heavenly. 

Sadly, not all days are like this. Surrounded by icy waters, most winter days in Michigan are windy and bitter cold—bleak on a good day, severe on a bad day. And, come February, truly soul-sucking. 

I’ve lived in Michigan all my life, and each year I make small talk about the coming winter. Some Michiganders look forward to it. They snowmobile and ski and make the most of the short days. But many fake a little sob when you mention snow. They squinch their faces and shake their heads. Don’t say it. They aren’t thinking of those first lovely flakes in November or a beautiful white Christmas. They’re thinking ahead: January, February, March. Slush in your shoes, cracks on your hands. Those dark and muddy days, when we long for a glimpse of spring. 

The older I get, the more I realize that if you don’t conquer winter, winter will conquer you. The frigid months last nearly half the year here. Half of our lives. We have to give ourselves a fighting chance. 

To do this, though, you must have resolve. You’ve got to run ahead of yourself. Plant some light, some coziness, some anticipation of relief to soothe your frozen heart. 

Hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”) is the remedy. 

Primarily a Danish phenomenon, hygge is basically the quality of coziness. It’s quiet relaxation, staying warm and comfortable and spending cherished time with friends and family. Candles, warm lighting, cozy blankets, tea and coffee, comfortable chairs, libraries, warm cafés, books, knitting, board games, soft music: This is all hygge. 

It isn’t just holiday decor. Putting lights and a tree up can certainly be one element, but the idea goes beyond that. The holidays get most winter-blues-prone people through till the end of December. Hygge becomes important on Jan. 2, after all the fun is over. 

It doesn’t require an investment. Buying a new candle is fun, but you should be able to cultivate hygge with what you already own. My home is not really even close to the immaculately manicured, spectacularly cozy homes you see on Instagram. But it’s home to me. I’ve worked hard to make it a warm haven for me and my family. Instagram doesn’t matter. You get to decide what you find cozy and wonderful, and most of us have more than adequate possessions and brains to come up with inventive domestic comforts. 

Decluttering and simplifying your home can help. We all love stuff, and the holidays only bring more. But simple living carries with it a convivial peace of mind. Imagine how you feel when you’re on vacation. It’s just you, your family, and a few suitcases. You’re free, uninhibited by clutter and distractions. Your time is your family’s. This feeling of ease and joy in spending time with those you love is hygge.

Now figure out how you’re going to get outside. This means making sure you have the right clothes to wear. As British guidebook author and avid hiker Alfred Wainwright said, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” Get things that are comfortable, warm, waterproof, and stylish. Beyond the utility of quality outerwear, when you look good, you feel good. This is all hygge. 

Lastly, don’t allow yourself to sit in a heap until spring comes. Be bold and try new things. This year, I hope to try snowshoeing and ice skating with my kids. I also want to get better at baking bread and teach my children how to do it as well. I look forward to the ritual of making the dough together. The heat from the oven will fill our kitchen, and we’ll chat as we mix and knead. Later, we’ll pull out our golden creation and share a piece with butter while it’s still warm. This is hygge too.

Winter in Michigan may be bleak. But with a little work, you can make it difficult for winter to suck the life out of you.

Faye Root is a writer and a homeschooling mother based in Northern Michigan. Follow her on X @littlebayschool.