Dear Daughter,
You have grown up with Swedish Mys in our home, but I just realized that I’ve never explained the concept to you. I also just realized that it’s challenging to explain the concept. Mys is a feeling. I’m going to do my best to describe and document it here, so that you can practice it and know how to implement the same lifestyle at college and in your future home.
During the fall, winter and the holidays mys goes to the next level.
Mys is a Swedish word that translates to “coziness”. Some people say it is a Swedish tradition that strives to fight the cold and sunlight-lacking days during the winter season, but we Swedes practice Mys year round. The way Swedes view it, is that we work hard all week and we deserve to relax at the end of a long week. We celebrate that the weekend has arrived. Nothing makes me more aggravated than when dad suggests that we can have a usual everyday dinner for dinner on a Friday. And when I say aggravated I mean angry! Mys is so programmed in my soul that I can’t comprehend how (I mean, how?!) someone could possibly suggest grilled salmon when you are supposed to have cozy celebration dinner, preferably fancy finger foods and snacks, in the living room in front of a great movie.
Other important artifacts to a successful mysig evening are good company, lots of candles, dimmed lights, blankets (all seasons. Crank up the AC if needed!). Even in the summer I go all out with the candles. If you are outside you can bring citronella candles for the mosquitos. And fredag’s mys is not only to be practiced in the living room, but in every room in the house. As you walk through the house you should see a small lamp and a good ambiance in every room.
Helpful links
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5065929/Is-MYS-new-hygge.html
An important note is that mys should not be confused with hygge, the Danish lifestyle that embraces selfcare, calmness and deriving continent from the simple and small things.
When I was growing in Sweden the teachers at school would dress up in a shirt and jacket on Fridays. The Friday celebration needed to be celebrated early! My dad would come home from work, take a shower, splash on (way too much) expensive cologne before the family started the Friday mys in the living room with a delicious dinner.
So add it to the college shopping list Elsa - blankets, a small cozy light, batteri-driven candles and a supply of delish snacks. Mys is an attitude to life, something to look forward to, a time to relax and slow down, and a way to survive long weeks. Sounds like a perfect lifestyle for college if you ask me.