MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

Julia Roberts And George Clooney Will Reunite On Screen For New Rom-Com, 'Ticket To Paradise'

Julia Roberts And George Clooney Will Reunite On Screen For New Rom-Com, 'Ticket To Paradise'

Shop With Purpose This Mardi Gras Week Thanks To The Pride Collections Giving Back

Shop With Purpose This Mardi Gras Week Thanks To The Pride Collections Giving Back

Rapper T.I. & His Wife Tiny Have Been Accused Of Sexual Assault By 11 Different Women

Rapper T.I. & His Wife Tiny Have Been Accused Of Sexual Assault By 11 Different Women

The Biggest Beauty Trends To Come Out Of Milan Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2021

The Biggest Beauty Trends To Come Out Of Milan Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2021

{headline}

{headline}

Anya Taylor-Joy Celebrated Her Golden Globes Win In Two Dazzling Custom Dior Gowns

Anya Taylor-Joy Celebrated Her Golden Globes Win In Two Dazzling Custom Dior Gowns

Dr Trisha Admits That Working On 'MAFS' Made Her "Feel Sick" For Compromising Others Mental Health

Dr Trisha Admits That Working On 'MAFS' Made Her "Feel Sick" For Compromising Others Mental Health

The Best Accessory At The 2021 Golden Globes? Sarah Paulson's Custom Prada Cast, Of Course

The Best Accessory At The 2021 Golden Globes? Sarah Paulson's Custom Prada Cast, Of Course

{headline}

{headline}

The 'Behind Her Eyes' Filming Locations Are Just as Mesmerising As The Netflix Thriller

The 'Behind Her Eyes' Filming Locations Are Just as Mesmerising As The Netflix Thriller

‘MAFS’ No-Boyfriend Belinda Has Apparently Been Not So Honest About Her Single Past

‘MAFS’ No-Boyfriend Belinda Has Apparently Been Not So Honest About Her Single Past

Meghan Markle Paid Tribute To Princess Diana In Her Interview With Oprah Winfrey

Meghan Markle Paid Tribute To Princess Diana In Her Interview With Oprah Winfrey

Elyse Knowles And Josh Barker Have Welcomed Their First Child

Elyse Knowles And Josh Barker Have Welcomed Their First Child

The Best Tweets And Memes From The 2021 Golden Globes

The Best Tweets And Memes From The 2021 Golden Globes

Kate Middleton Stylishly Mastered Another Zoom-Friendly Look, Stuns In Sleek Green Blazer

Kate Middleton Stylishly Mastered Another Zoom-Friendly Look, Stuns In Sleek Green Blazer

A Historic Win For Female Directors! Here, The Full List Of 2021 Golden Globes Winners

A Historic Win For Female Directors! Here, The Full List Of 2021 Golden Globes Winners

  1. Home
  2. News

Is 'Fugu' The Hygge Of 2020?

If social media is anything to go by, it just might be - by Sukriti Wahi
  • 27 May 2020
Is 'Fugu' The Hygge Of 2020?

First, we had Hygge, the Danish philosophy inciting us to get cosy.

Then Kalsarikännit came along and encouraged us to drink wine in our underwear, alone at home (which we definitely did).

Not long afterwards, Niksen, the Dutch art of doing nothing appeared and asked us to do, well, nothing. 

And in 2020? We have 'fugu', a Chinese cultural trend that, whether you realise it or not, you're probably already following. 

As for what fugu is exactly? Read on.

What Is Fugu?

According to travel magazine Suitcase, fugu is less a 'philosophy' (although it appears to manifest that way), and more a description for a "subculture of millennials who are reviving historical traditions".

While fugu has been around in China for quite some time, in the western world, the phrase is relatively unknown (in fact, if you Google it, you're more likely to be greeted by information about a deadly Japanese fish... yikes).

On the more extreme end, fugu is seeing some Chinese millennials leave the city for the provinces, swap their expensive cars for mules, and trade cafés for food they've farmed themselves according to traditional practices. 

But this idea of farm-to-table living and 'creating from scratch' isn't confined to China, and if anything, quarantine, in particular, has caused many of us to explore fugu in our own ways.

genevavanderzeil View Profile
likes - View Post on Instagram
Wreaths in progress 🚨. Usually I've used leaves for my wreaths but this year you may have seen that I'm going with dried flowers instead! Stay tuned for some tips and tricks for making your own. #diy #making #wreaths

What Does Fugu Look Like For Most Of Us?

Although most us aren't abandoning our urban homes for country living, a lot of us have taken to doing things the old-fashioned way, particularly in the lead-up to and during quarantine.

For many of us, fugu looks like planting kitchen gardens to grow our own herbs, cultivating indoor plants, making sourdough from scratch, knitting or sewing our own clothes, and pickling our own vegetables, among other things.

The common thread? All of them offer a sense of returning to our pre-technology roots (although there is a sense of irony if said activities are being posted on social media).

piga_haus View Profile
likes - View Post on Instagram
#pigahaus @my.bdrm

Why Is Fugu Becoming Popular?

The quiet yet increasing domination of fugu could be put down to our bid for a wholesome, more connected and self-sufficient life.

Moreover, the ongoing climate crisis and coronavirus pandemic have arguably increased our desire to return to a slower lifestyle, one that is equal parts eco-conscious and can serve us in times of hardship.

And while the western millennial version may be miles away from its Chinese origins, it seems we're all looking for one thing: a simpler, happier life.

  • News
  • Lifestyle

6 issues for $35 -

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
6 issues for $35

6 issues for $35 -

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
6 issues for $35

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

Julia Roberts And George Clooney Will Reunite On Screen For New Rom-Com, 'Ticket To Paradise'

Julia Roberts And George Clooney Will Reunite On Screen For New Rom-Com, 'Ticket To Paradise'

Shop With Purpose This Mardi Gras Week Thanks To The Pride Collections Giving Back

Shop With Purpose This Mardi Gras Week Thanks To The Pride Collections Giving Back

Rapper T.I. & His Wife Tiny Have Been Accused Of Sexual Assault By 11 Different Women

Rapper T.I. & His Wife Tiny Have Been Accused Of Sexual Assault By 11 Different Women

The Biggest Beauty Trends To Come Out Of Milan Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2021

The Biggest Beauty Trends To Come Out Of Milan Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2021

{headline}

{headline}

Anya Taylor-Joy Celebrated Her Golden Globes Win In Two Dazzling Custom Dior Gowns

Anya Taylor-Joy Celebrated Her Golden Globes Win In Two Dazzling Custom Dior Gowns

Dr Trisha Admits That Working On 'MAFS' Made Her "Feel Sick" For Compromising Others Mental Health

Dr Trisha Admits That Working On 'MAFS' Made Her "Feel Sick" For Compromising Others Mental Health

The Best Accessory At The 2021 Golden Globes? Sarah Paulson's Custom Prada Cast, Of Course

The Best Accessory At The 2021 Golden Globes? Sarah Paulson's Custom Prada Cast, Of Course

{headline}

{headline}

The 'Behind Her Eyes' Filming Locations Are Just as Mesmerising As The Netflix Thriller

The 'Behind Her Eyes' Filming Locations Are Just as Mesmerising As The Netflix Thriller

‘MAFS’ No-Boyfriend Belinda Has Apparently Been Not So Honest About Her Single Past

‘MAFS’ No-Boyfriend Belinda Has Apparently Been Not So Honest About Her Single Past

Meghan Markle Paid Tribute To Princess Diana In Her Interview With Oprah Winfrey

Meghan Markle Paid Tribute To Princess Diana In Her Interview With Oprah Winfrey

Elyse Knowles And Josh Barker Have Welcomed Their First Child

Elyse Knowles And Josh Barker Have Welcomed Their First Child

The Best Tweets And Memes From The 2021 Golden Globes

The Best Tweets And Memes From The 2021 Golden Globes

Kate Middleton Stylishly Mastered Another Zoom-Friendly Look, Stuns In Sleek Green Blazer

Kate Middleton Stylishly Mastered Another Zoom-Friendly Look, Stuns In Sleek Green Blazer

A Historic Win For Female Directors! Here, The Full List Of 2021 Golden Globes Winners

A Historic Win For Female Directors! Here, The Full List Of 2021 Golden Globes Winners

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

6 issues for $35 -

Shop This Offer
6 issues for $35