What is Gezellig?

Good morning everyone,

Hope you’re having a lovely start to the day 🙂

Over the last couple of years, we have explored well-being concepts from all over the world. Following along with that train of thought, we’re going to be delving into the Dutch term, Gezellig, in today’s blog.

Hello and Welcome to Sweeney’s Blogs!

Gezellig is a Dutch word that doesn’t have a direct translation in English, however, it is commonly used to describe a feeling of cosiness, warmth, and friendliness. It can refer to an inclusive atmosphere, the sense of being with loved ones, or even the warmth of a comfortable space.

Essentially, it’s about that warm, happy vibe you get from spending time with people you care about or being in a comfortable, welcoming environment. Think about the moments in your life where you feel no pressure and can be fully yourself, being heard and valued throughout the entire way. It’s these moments that generate this inner warmth, allowing you to be unapologetically true to who you are, it’s a magical sensation.

Gezellig is about connection, whether having a meal with friends, enjoying a quiet evening at home with a good book, or sitting in a café filled with all kinds of different conversations. It describes anything that brings warmth, joy, and togetherness into your life—moments that make you feel happy and naturally at peace.

What’s fascinating is that gezellig isn’t limited to physical spaces or events, it can describe a person or even a sense of anticipation. For example, a friend who makes you feel welcome and valued could be described as gezellig. Likewise, looking forward to an event that you know will be fun and relaxing can also be gezellig. It’s a word that represents a collective mindset in Dutch culture, where people cherish simplicity, companionship, and the small joys of life.

Recent years have highlighted the importance of concepts such as gezellig, with the Covid Pandemic being one of a many list of scenarios which heavily impacted on how we communicate, see and spend time with those close to us. It’s these situations that highlight the value of community, how when we all come together and support one another, there is nothing that quite beats it.

So there we have it, there is a brief introduction to the Dutch term gezellig, what do you think? What moments in your life can you class as gezellig? Do you have any plans coming soon that fit its description?

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts 🙂

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a lovely day!