“Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; love more; and all good things are yours.”—Swedish proverb

The Danes taught us how to embrace coziness and contentment. Now, the Swedes show us how to pause and savor the moment, to njuta, a philosophy closely tied to Swedish life and culture. Deeply ingrained in the Swedish psyche, njuta is about simplicity and intent in every aspect of life, from daily routines and leisure to family and food and everything in between. The Swedish delight in the simple things in life. They see greatness in the small things—it doesn’t take grand gestures or vast amounts of money to make life not only okay but truly wonderful. Simple pleasures are all around us and can be found in every minute and every hour of the day. You just have to stop, use your senses, and take time to consciously appreciate what’s already there. That is the essence of njuta.

In this inviting and inspirational guide, Niki Brantmark explains njuta and offers advice for incorporating it into any lifestyle. Best of all, you can start right now. At home, take time to savor that first sip of coffee in the morning. Relish a quiet moment while everyone is out—just you, in a cozy corner by the window, basking in the stillness. Outside, enjoy your surroundings, no matter the season or place. Notice the dappled sunlight through the leaves of a tree in summer, or the puff of clouds formed by warm breath in the frigid air of winter. Njuta might be as simple as turning your face to the sun to soak up its wonderful warmth, or to feel the wind in your hair as you bike or drive to work. You’ll find these and many more suggestions in this wonderful guide, including how to discover njuta in moments spent with friends, family, and most importantly, in solitude.

Beautifully designed, idea-filled, and featuring full-color illustrations throughout, this delightful lifestyle guide shows how to relax and consciously seize the moment—no matter how small—to enrich and deepen your life.

Niki Brantmark is the creator of My Scandinavian Home, an interior design blog inspired by her life in Malmö, Sweden, where she lives with her husband and three children. Originally from London, Niki has an MA in psychology from the University of Edinburgh and is the author of Modern Pastoral and The Scandinavian Home.