Japleen Kaur aka Millennial Ladki's Insta feed is all about aesthetics, travel and hygge!

Living in Himachal, weaving stories, writing letters and having meaningful conversations with people, Japleen Kaur has created a loyal community of travel enthusiasts!

An inspiring and talented traveller, Japleen Kaur aka Millennial Ladki is known for her aesthetics, travel, writing and hygge! Creating heart-warming stories, soothing podcasts and calm hygge pictures only to light up our day with optimism and glee.

View this post on Instagram

Instagram's algorithm tells me I don't post regularly. So, here's an attempt to change that. But more importantly, a step to motivate myself to not spiral down. Every day, for the next 30 days I'll be telling you about all things Hygge. From elements that induce it to why we need it in our lives -- a small dose 🌻 It's a personal challenge to have that one thing that's consistent, no matter what. It's a challenge to curb my toxic overthinking and put a stop to the obstacle that is the word -- guilt. Something that is mine. That genuinely makes me smile and in turn, I hope it rubs on off you too! Join me for daily virtual hugs of Hygge? 🌻 Use #HyggeWithML to put up your versions of warmth and get on this process too. 📸: @abhiandnow 💛

A post shared by Japleen Kaur 🌻 (@millennialladki) on May 21, 2020 at 8:24pm PDT

The unprecedented pandemic has been difficult for all us at different levels. While some are struggling professionally, others might be going through mental, house-hold and other problems. What is important is to not be harsh on ourselves and to find something or even tiniest of the things that make us happy.

As part of 'hygge', she boldly spreads awareness on the importance of mental health, self-care, travelling, self-acceptance, being compassionate and more!

View this post on Instagram

What is Hygge? ✨ Google tells me it is the mood of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that gives us the feeling of wellness and contentment. In simpler terms: Imagine this - it's raining outside, maybe even snowing. You're cooped inside your home next to a fireplace. Huddled in multiple blankets with the fluffiest socks on you sip on hot chocolate. The fire crackles on giving you a fuzzy feeling inside. Now, that feeling right there -- that's Hygge.✨ Can be largely derived from the word 'hug ', Hygge is a non physical hug. Or should I say a social distance hug. ? Various elements, scenarios, instances create this feeling. It's different from individual to individual but also a lot more basic when it comes to the crux of human emotions! Hygge can be sprawling on the grass on a sunny day, playing the uke. It can be sipping on a tangy cocktail by the beach. It can also be reading your favourite book or just by cooking a slow meal. Oh, and it's pronounced hoo-gah. Now that you know what Hygge is in layman terms, tomorrow we'll learn why candles are the most important Hygge inducing element! Use #HyggeWithML to show me what's Hygge for you ? -- this series is to imbibe more warmth, positivity and inclusiveness in our personal lives. It's inspired and is result of the impact that @meikwiking's book 'The Little Book Of Hygge' has had on me.?

A post shared by Japleen Kaur ? (@millennialladki) on May 23, 2020 at 7:19am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Dance ✨ My plan to post about Hygge every single day has clearly gone down the drain but hey, schedule has never been my best friend. Anyhoo, here's another Hygge post that I never thought I'll post. Dance has been called an expression of emotions. You can show sadness, anger, loneliness and above all unfiltered joy by dancing. Even if you can't dance like trained professionals or are born with two left feet -- flow like a stunning, melodious river on windy day. Without rules, without inhibitions and without any judgement. Dance in your bedroom, in the shower, on the terrace, on the stage, at a wedding, with your partner or without anyone. Dance with strangers at a party, in a bus while travelling, on the peak after a hike or on the beach during sunset. But, please dance. It lets you express in ways words couldn't. It lets you fall in love with yourself, one step at a time. For me, coordinating my upper and lower body to actually finish a step is something I've left in my childhood. Now, I'm grateful for sit-down chorography for its existence. But maybe soon. Right, @yashnalalla? Will you dance tonight? ✨ Beautiful routine by @yoshetaa of @teamnaach 💛 I've made mistakes in this video so please also go watch the original to know how graceful it truly is. Bir and its Bollywood windy weather put me in a romantic, dance mood and I just gave it a go. 💛 Song: Kho Gaye Hum Kaahan by @jasleenroyal and @prateekkuhad -- but who doesn't know that! #HyggeWithML 📸: @abhiandnow

A post shared by Japleen Kaur 🌻 (@millennialladki) on Jun 4, 2020 at 9:14am PDT

View this post on Instagram

COMFORT BOX GIVEAWAY 💛 Swipe left for the video 💛 A Hygge box is essentially you channelling all of your senses and filling it up with things that give you that cozy feeling. Pick out your favourite things and pack it in, to open when you life seems tough. AND... I'm sending one to you guys! I'll be personalising the Hygge box according to the stuff that brings you joy and will be couriering it across. With that I'll also put in a few handmade tags and stickers that I've created. What you gotta do to get it? ✨ Tell me one thing that you'll put in this box ✨ Tag your Hygge Human Bas jee 💛 I wish I could send this to everyone but currently, I don't have the bandwidth. One day super soon! Now go, throw Hygge around like confetti 🎉 Share it with friends who need it and lovers who deserve it. PS: thank you @abhiandnow for always being the magic behind the camera!

A post shared by Japleen Kaur 🌻 (@millennialladki) on Jun 30, 2020 at 10:08am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Friends 💛 The more I understand Hygge, the more it is evident that your community helps with increasing your happiness levels. And by that I mean -- people who you can fall back on; people who support you in your adventures; people who let you have deep conversations; people who aren't with you just because it's comfortable but because it is in the end, beyond all the obstacles -- comfortable. 🌻 Hygge concept says you should spend time with 4-5 of your closest friends every now and then. Play board games, cook a meal or just dance. But meet beyond the realms of texts and Instagram DMs. Now when it isn't possible to physically hug them, we'll use Hygge -- that loosely translates to a tight, warm, unsaid hug. Because during this lockdown what has come up apart from various other things is the support, cheer and love that comes from you friends on social media platforms. You've maybe never met them but you share their videos. You send a long voice note telling them low days come for all and just like that they feel the joy. You motivate, inspire, send memes, share opinions and grow together. And isn't that just extremely, extremely beautiful? Let your friends who feel like a gorgeous sunset know that you love them. Let your friends who make your life a tad bit better know that they do. Let your friends who've been there in your ups, downs and everything in between know that you're there for them too. Let your friends who are the person that personify Hygge for you know, okay? 🌻 Tag them cozy peeps, coz they deserve it!💛 PS: animals are the bestest friends anyway. PPS: that's my Kasper in the frame being adored by one of his hooman's @mishti.and.meat 😘 Diwali, 2019 #HyggeWithML

A post shared by Japleen Kaur 🌻 (@millennialladki) on Jun 13, 2020 at 3:44am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Slow cooking in Hygge ✨ Due to the twisted fate of universe, we're home and cooking all day, every day. In Hygge, home cooked meals bring the most amount of joy in our lives. Don't get me wrong - I do enjoy a good dinner at my favourite restaurants but when it comes to creating Hygge at home, cooking acts as a catalyst. And not 2 minute Maggi noodles or under 10 minute quick recipes but slow cooked dishes that take their own sweet time to get prepped. Think - overnight soaked rajma then made with loads of love and a dollop of ghee. That's an ultimate Hygge meal for us Indians. In Denmark they go for slow cooked casseroles, bake breads or one pot soups that take a few hours to cook completely. Also, remember bonfire meals! They take ages to get edible but give you the most Hygge. And to add to the party when you cook with a couple of your family/friends. I'm talking 3-4 close friends with whom you can share the happiness of that tadka or the warmth of a lunch straight off the stove. While the ingredients blend together, adding a plethora of nutrition to your plate, you actually learn the importance of the food going in your tummy as well. More about friendship in Hygge and board games in the coming posts! In Himachal, we have Dhaam a super slow style of cooking where the locals use thick brass or copper vessels to cook the food. Even when the cuisine is Rich in proteins, it digests super well because of the long time spent on creating it. It's beautiful 🌻 Cooking is therapy for many; food is the source of comfort for many; and together they are simply comfortably therapeutic ✨ What say @locavorebyrakshalulla, @amritaoflife? What's your Hygge food? For me, it's Biryani which also takes a good 3-4 hours to cook! In frame: my dinner for tonight - paalak with ghee tadka. Okay, it's not aesthetic but hey, you get the point na? 📸: @abhiandnow (seriously though, aur kaun hoga? 🤣) This series is to imbibe more warmth, positivity and inclusiveness in our personal lives. It's inspired and is result of the impact that @meikwiking's book 'The Little Book Of Hygge' has had on me.🌻

A post shared by Japleen Kaur 🌻 (@millennialladki) on May 27, 2020 at 8:54am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Hygge element -- Coffee! ☕ The last of the Hygge starter pack, coffee runs in the veins of the Danes. But in our country it can be divided amidst are own beloved 'C' element - Chai. Warm beverages bring with them a level of cosiness that doesn't require much effort. Whether it's the 'tapri vaali chai' or the hazelnut cappuccino at a luxury cafe, if it makes your life better - drink it. 💛 Hygge effects are maximum when the temperature outside is minimum. Hence a cuppa of hot chocolate or a piping hot coffee feels like the hug in a mug! But since it's Summer now go for a cold brew or maybe some lemon iced tea? Hygge in its origin is native to Denmark but that doesn't mean you can't create it, include it in your lifestyle anywhere else. All you gotta do is see what works for you and your region and them implement. For many people who participate in my workshops the first sip of coffee in the mornings makes them smile, and that's exactly why it's so important for this concept. What are you -- a chai lover or a coffee person? Tomorrow on #HyggeWithML we talk about Hygge food 💛 *This series is to imbibe more warmth, positivity and inclusiveness in our personal lives. It's inspired and is result of the impact that @meikwiking's book 'The Little Book Of Hygge' has had on me.🌻* Behind the camera: @abhiandnow! 🌻

A post shared by Japleen Kaur 🌻 (@millennialladki) on May 26, 2020 at 9:24am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Hygge element -- Cake 🧁 Desserts especially a slice of a freshly baked cake is something that is in built in the Danish culture. But again, it's universally loved and just one bite is known to make those stunning lips curve, hai na? Time to think of all the occasions that bring us joy and have cake in them - birthdays (duh!), Post break up session, best friend to high tea plans, menstrual cramps reliever and just because! Now, you really can't have cake everyday. But you don't have to wait for a particular day to have it too. There's another reason why everyone is baking it during the lockdown. Baking is an art that isn't instant. It's not fast. It has a process, a slow one. You put your emotions into creating a masterpiece out of the many, many ingredients. And that makes that first bite even more satisfying. Slow life is a huge part of Hygge, and we'll talk about it soon! For today's post is only and only for 🎂 For the longest time, I didn't have anything sweet. Since the time I've known about Hygge, things have changed and I enjoy a good slice of banana cake/banofee pie/a chocochip cookie. And well, my hips regret it but I don't. ✨ So, try to include a little bit of cake in your life when you want to truly devour Hygge. Tomorrow's topic -- the last of the 3 C's of Hygge - Candles, Cake - ? Can you guess what it'll be? ✨ In the frame: banana walnut muffin from @june16cafe_ with an adorable Christmas ornament I got from Vietnam. Both of them are sitting on top of @ambereepitamber's book 'Unrouted'. Check it out! *This series is to imbibe more warmth, positivity and inclusiveness in our personal lives. It's inspired and is result of the impact that @meikwiking's book 'The Little Book Of Hygge' has had on me.🌻* Picture credits: @abhiandnow 💛

A post shared by Japleen Kaur 🌻 (@millennialladki) on May 25, 2020 at 9:20am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Hygge element -- Candles🕯️ Our fellow planet inhabitants in Denmark burn the most amount of candles than any other country. They call it the living light. The burning of a candle is known to increase coziness, portray warmth and just be a source of light during dark times. But the fumes also cause a whole lot of harm. So, there is always a flip side to anything in excess. Hygge can be induced by any source of dim lighting -- say, fairy lights, tea lights, cutesy yellow bulbs that instantly raise the temperature of your heart by a few degrees. Consider times when candles are directly related to happiness -- a romantic candlelit dinner, candles lit up with hope in churches or gurdwaras, to show you the way when the electricity vanishes and simply to add that warm touch to your room. Alternatively, harsh white lights depict formal settings, where your mind goes into - NO mode. Unless, you're the rare few who receive happiness from them. So, don't go all out in turning your home into a wax museum, please! But string those fairy lights even when it's not Christmas, okay? They make everything better 💛 I DIY'd a used coke can into a lamp that's seen in this picture along with Stormy who we're fostering currently. Who also creates some major Hygge vibe! 😁 As Albus Dumbledore said -- Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light. Now, turn on that light will you? Topic for tomorrow -- 🧁😁 -- this series is to imbibe more warmth, positivity and inclusiveness in our personal lives. It's inspired and is result of the impact that @meikwiking's book 'The Little Book Of Hygge' has had on me.🌻

A post shared by Japleen Kaur 🌻 (@millennialladki) on May 24, 2020 at 8:51am PDT

Ceasing all travel activities for some time to contain the spread of the virus, the pandemic has hit the tourism industry hard. Travel bloggers and travel fanatics are often caught up in a frenzy, remising their old travel days and sharing their throwback travel stories on social media.

Japleen is seen interacting with her followers and sharing important conversations around hygge and neverending travel stories with us and other travel bloggers like Srishti Tehri and Ankita Kumar and food blogger Amrita Kaur. 

 

Probably the most heartwarming live session to have ever happened. We talk about Hygge in the realms of travel and all our favourite moments. But the star of the show was certainly @monkey.inc's father @25ramendra who made us laugh with his with and cry (quite literally) with joy! He sheds lights on what he thinks Hygge is and his experience of knowing the feeling first hand in Denmark. If you want to feel a gush of emotions -- do watch this live 💛

A post shared by Japleen Kaur 🌻 (@millennialladki) on Jun 8, 2020 at 10:28am PDT

 

Spoke about slow cooking recipes, how food induces Hygge, the benefits of mindful eating and even what are the drinks that can create Hygge in summers! Do watch it and learn more about this beautiful concept 💛 Thanks @amritaoflife for joining me! I loveeeee you 💛

A post shared by Japleen Kaur 🌻 (@millennialladki) on May 27, 2020 at 10:01am PDT

Her love for creating worthy content doesn't stop here. As we all get under lockdown and continue to look for some heart-stirring stories to listen to, Millennial Ladki has come up with various episodes in which she narrates stories about rains, coffee, choices, moments and other soulful elements!

<

SOUND ON ♥️ Due to the lack of my video editing skills and cool equipment, I couldn't push out visual stories. But I sure as hell found a way for some audio episodes. One of my old stories here that has been written and spoken in simple words. Please listen to it? Maybe with a cup of coffee 💛 Let me know what do you think about this series! Share the love, please. Music: Rain Musician: @iksonofficial

A post shared by Japleen Kaur 🌻 (@millennialladki) on Mar 21, 2020 at 9:27am PDT

 

This story is a bit slow but trust me, it needs you to be patient. Give it your 4 minutes, give it your time? Close your eyes and listen to it with all your senses. Use your imagination to visualize and smile every now and then. Tell me your favourite line from the story in the comments ♥️ PS: the end is beautiful. Even if you get bored in the middle, hear out the end ♥️

A post shared by Japleen Kaur 🌻 (@millennialladki) on Mar 27, 2020 at 10:02am PDT

Also Read: #KetchupTalks: The Moonchasers talk about everything that goes into their expedition online and offline