"Mysig", what’s that ?

Imagine a long winter evening, with snowflakes dancing outside the window! You’re comfortably seated in a cozy armchair, wrapped in a blanket, with a steaming mug of hot chocolate in your hands and a few spiced cookies on a small plate. Around you, soft lighting and a few scented candles create a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere, making you feel calm, almost detached from the rest of the world, and very content to simply enjoy the present moment and the company of loved ones.
You’ve just discovered what the Swedes call mysig...

Mys, mysa, mysig ... a way of life, above all.

Mysig is a Swedish word that defies any literal translation. Imagine a combination of comfort, warmth, and well-being, all wrapped in a cozy, kindhearted atmosphere. It’s a bit like the Danish concept of hygge (much more well-known and, let’s admit it, also a bit Norwegian) inviting its Swedish cousin over for a weekend of cocooning.

So yes, this image brings us a bit closer to the concept, but it doesn’t fully capture it, because in my opinion, the idea of mysigt is much broader... For Swedes, mysigt is more than just a word; it’s an art of living and a way of calmly regarding everything around them, with measured detachment and satisfaction focused on the pleasure of the present moment and nothing else. It’s the ability to create a warm, comforting bubble for a few hours, to recharge and return to life’s challenges with greater calm and new energy. It’s also a kind of voluntary, temporary disconnection, where none of life’s daily stresses can reach you—a form of emotional quiet outside of time. For a few hours, you say no to the world’s worries and refocus on positive, comforting images—your small world, your loved ones, your friends—relishing their presence and the well-being they bring. It’s a philosophy of life, a moment of comfort that Swedes regularly embrace to escape stress, giving them that serene, tranquil aura that the Latin mind often associates them with.
This attitude isn’t innate; it’s the result of cultural intention and countless mysigt sessions.

Mys, mysa, mysig... and all its variations.

In Swedish, mysig is an adjective, mysigt the adverbial form, mysa the verb, etc. The list goes on and on , as the same family includes the nouns mysande and (more rarely) mysighet. This says a lot about the importance of this concept, which is everywhere the Swedish language.

And it doesn’t stop there, because many other terms and expressions have developed around this typically Swedish concept: fredagsmys (Friday cocooning), mysbyxor (comfy pants), mysdress (relaxing outfit), julmys (cozy Christmas atmosphere), påskmys (cozy Easter atmosphere), myshörna (a cozy corner), mysfåtölj (a cozy armchair), mysfarbror (an especially warm, friendly uncle), and the list goes on. It’s a concept used daily in Sweden, a prefix or suffix that applies to many areas, a notion that permeates Swedish lifestyle. Much like the Danish hygge (now a bit overused), it’s a word that, according to a New York Times article, is becoming the new trend in the world of design.

Mysa, an act of resilience against the darkness and cold…

In a country where winter seems endless, one might wonder if it’s simply a logical response to the unsettling combination of cold and darkness that, every year from November to February, heavily weighs on our daily life. Yes and no, I would say...

Yes, because it’s understandable to feel the need to gear up and gather patience to overcome these two simultaneous challenges: you need a small light within to withstand this daunting descent into night and the intense cold that penetrates your whole body. Knowing how to create a mysig atmosphere can be a great remedy for keeping spirits high and moving forward.
Moreover, the advantage of the cyclical nature of the “I’m cold, I’m afraid, and I feel like I’m about to die” episode is that you have time to prepare and develop resilience strategies to climb this seemingly insurmountable mountain each year. I’d say this explanation makes sense…

But also a miraculous philosophy…

And yet, even if the link between mysigt and the climate seems evident and natural, it’s worth mentioning that Swedes know how to mysa in the summer, too. So, in a way, the harshness of winter contributes to developing a sense of gratitude and satisfaction when winter finally yields, along with a desire to savor every tiny source of happiness and every ray of sunshine. Everything can become mysigt, as Catharina Björkman (a Swedish designer for Contura) explains so well in an article for Country and Town House magazine.

"In Sweden, we know all too well that dark days and cold weather can make things feel a bit bleak. But by focusing on the small moments that bring joy throughout the day, it’s much easier to find contentment and balance. By recognizing and celebrating these small daily moments of mysig, we can shift our mindset to focus on positivity and fully appreciate the journey. It’s a true balm for the soul."

Mysig is therefore a real philosophy of life that is practiced in Sweden from birth and nurtured in children throughout their lives. The wonder in simple, positive things is cultivated, and every bit of daily joy appears as an exciting miracle that comforts and encourages, helping to avoid losing faith.