Njuta: Enjoy, Delight In: The Swedish Art of Savoring the Moment

by Niki Brantmark

Do you aspire to live a more peaceful, intentional life of mindfulness, positivity, and gratitude? 

Njuta (pronounced “nyutah”), which means “enjoy” or “delight in,” is the Swedish art of savoring the moment. Focused on finding happiness in even the smallest things, njuta can be applied to every area of  

Daily ritualsCreating a comfortable homeNature and friluftsliv (open-air life)Meal times and fika (coffee breaks) Adapting to the seasonsCelebrations with family and friends From relishing a quiet moment of comfort to enjoying the beauty of nature or even just reveling in the deliciousness of a favorite snack, you too can do like the Swedes and open your eyes to all of life’s pleasures, no matter how simple. 

Niki Brantmark, founder of the popular blog My Scandinavian Home, offers easy-to-follow how-to’s, practical lists of tips and tricks, and unique insights into the most fascinating aspects of Swedish culture, from morning dips to Christmas crafting. Njuta is the ultimate guide to rejoicing in the moment, anytime and anywhere.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Health, Audiobook, Philosophy, Mental Health, Lifestyle

213 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 26, 2023

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is an entire genre of small, simply—and charmingly—illustrated books centered on Nordic terms and concepts. I’ve enjoyed each of these books I’ve read.

Simple, encouraging, and relaxing, this book begs you to brew a cup of tea, snuggle up with a cozy blanket, and take a little break.

Recommend!

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love lil Scandinavian lifestyle books. I feel like you def have to take advice with a grain of salt as an American reading this book. You have to understand that Swedish culture and government is vastly different than the United States. Sweden is also incredibly homogenous and has an entire country population less than the population of NYC

You have to pick and choose what you take from this book. Personally, I got a lot of ideas about baking and home decor. I wish I could bike to work but alas, I’m 35 miles from my office. Life would be much simpler in an isolated country like Sweden

[Han · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 I have surrounded myself with candles and I do feel cozier.

[Candy · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.5)

From ikigai to hygge, many cultures around the world have adopted an ethos that highlights the importance of mindfulness and balance across body, mind and spirit.

And here in the U.S., well, we buy the books that tell us how other countries relax. Namaste, y’all. 🙏

Njuta, according to this infographically-attractive entry in the genre, means “enjoy” and “delight in” in Swedish. The book is full of little factoids and anecdotes about life in Sweden and how good it is to stop and smell the pickled herring.

TLDR summary:
Blankets, candles and wool socks = good.
Loud noises, crowds and overly processed food = bad.

As I’ve now lost all the introverts who are making plans to visit or move to Sweden, I will simply say this is an okay book that is a print equivalent to “The Great British Bake Off”. In other words, cultural Zoloft with a soupçon of European flavor.

And sometimes, 200+ pages of achingly privileged and obvious life-coaching is exactly what you need! I get it, I really do. The world can be a dark and sucky place far too often…

So for you, dear reader, I wish you warm cocoa nights by the fire and all the njutning your weary soul deserves.

For everyone else? Meh. Take a deep breath, sip your favorite beverage and pick a different book from your TBR.

[Luciana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading these little books on absorbing the Swedish mindset/lifestyle. For me, this book was great! I have found that since making a huge life change 8 years ago, I am actually embracing the njuta lifestyle....the art of savouring the moment!

Where I now live, I am a big believer on savouring the moment...nothing like forest bathing; stopping & inhaling the forest smells, going to the sea everyday; inhaling the smell of the kelp, bird watching, slowing down, & enjoying outdoor life 365 days of the year. We are so blessed to be surrounded by forests, trees, the sea, nature & its critters & very little concrete.

Well worth the read if you want to slow down, relax, take a breath, reduce your stress, etc!

[M · Rating 1 out of 5]

The (insert ethnicity) Art of (insert life goal) genre by a breathless outside observer has been done better many, many times.

[Talia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this was like sinking into a big, plush, comfy armchair by a crackling fire, the vivid descriptions creating a snug, inviting world that leaves the reader feeling warm, cozy and inspired. I enjoyed the specific and practical guidance on what to focus on and what to change/adapt if you want to live a lifestyle like the Swedes. I also appreciated the research and statistics sprinkled throughout the book. Great book for someone with a climate similar to Sweden who likes a hint of hygge in their next quick read.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Swedish way of living is honestly unattainable living in America. But a girl can dream!

[Cherie Bush · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy learning about other cultures and their lives. Now to apply some of these principles, but maybe not the herring.

[Artemisia Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m always inspired by books that promote a simpler, more joy-filled lifestyle, so I was pleased to hear that once again those no-nonsense Swedes even had a word for this concept: Njuta, which means to enjoy or delight in. Beyond our commonly heard advice about “being in the moment”, Njuta is not just a passive approach of letting go in the moment, but rather an active pursuit of the kinds of activities and moments that provide one with the chance to experience njuting. And this attractive little book is itself a real joy to read as it goes into lavish detail about all the ways to find this particular type of pleasure in life’s special moments. Whether in nature or at home, alone or with others, while crafting, reading, swimming, hiking, camping or yes, even at work, there’s always the opportunity to make the most of each moment and to savor it fully.

[Travis Stroup · Rating 4 out of 5]

Main take away in two words - slow down. It’s a good challenge to enjoy the moments during the day and be grateful for what you have. Definitely have some takeaways that can be applied, but for everything to be applicable you would have to move to Sweden. Sounds like a beautiful culture.

[Valerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick Read

Quick read. I liked the small nuggets of knowledge. This was much more about swedes way of living then a look inwards but it was still nice learning about their culture.

[Therese Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful tips on doing small things to help savor life.

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light, quick read showcasing the Swedish concept of living in the moment. It was a great day starter, being content with what is, with lots of tactical ways to do this every day.

[Winter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice reminder to romanticize life.

[Emily Lipinski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute!

[Ilze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vispār latvieši ir ļoti līdzīgi zviedriem dzīvesstila ziņā, tikai, laikam, mēs daudz ko neprotam izbaudīt. Vienkārši par dzīves dzīvošanu un baudīšanu.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The concept is great, but most of the chapters are about putting it into practice in specific parts of your life that i'm not particularly interested in.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

My AudioFile review:

NJUTA
Enjoy, Delight In: The Swedish Art of Savoring the Moment
by Niki Brantmark | Read by Karen Cass
Contemporary Culture • 4.5 hrs. • Unabridged • © 2023
If you're looking to get more out of the simple things in life, this audiobook is for you. A transplanted Londoner, Niki Brantmark has thoroughly embraced the Swedish custom of njuta, finding satisfaction in the smallest pleasures: a beautiful sunrise or sunset, a sweet treat, a walk in the woods. Karen Cass keeps to a brisk pace and an appropriately upbeat tone as she itemizes the many ways that Swedes enjoy life at home and at work. They know the importance of exercise, embrace time spent outdoors in all sorts of weather, and delight in the company of friends and family. So, take that coffee break, eat that slice of cake, and njuta--savor the moment! S.G. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2024]

Trade Ed. • Harper Audio • 2023
DD ISBN 9780063284104 $27.99

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was good advice and things to consider throughout the book. And overall it did allow me to think about things differently in life. But it was presented in a very pretentious and elitist manner that is hard to connect with

[Kristin Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book and enjoyed it. The Nordic way is really lovely. Hoping to incorporate more of these tips in my life!

[Debi]

This is a fun and cute book for admiring or adopting some Scandi approaches to daily life.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book of Swedish things. It was a cozy book about how to make your life cozy like the Swedes and enjoy life in the moment. It was okay.

It’s one of those popular reads cranked out because Nordic countries are cool. Njuta joins other books like Hygge, Lagom, Fika, Lykke, Friluftsliv, etc.

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

POPSUGAR prompt 30 (book with a one-word title you had to look up in a dictionary)

Njuta is a Swedish word. Its rough English translation is “enjoy” but the concept of njuta is much more. Swedish people describe njuta as that moment where body and mind are in harmony. I think my favorite definition of njuta is taken from the book. Njuta is to “savor a suspended moment in time without pressure or demand.” This book is a guidebook on how we can incorporate njuta into our everyday life.

[Diana Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

80% of this book doesn’t apply to me. I’d recommend this book to anyone moving or having a long vacation to Sweden as it gives facts, society expectations, rules, and a way of life in Sweden. As someone who lives in the United States, Sweden sounds like a completely different world. A world I’d probably wish I was in, but unlikely. I’ve visited Sweden, and it’s beyond beautiful. It’s nice to understand the life of the Swedish, but this book was not for me. In a nutshell shell; do what you love in balance and constantly take time to smell the roses as well as getting out of your comfort zone and pretend you don’t have kids or a toddler because candles are life.

Listened as an audiobook and enjoyed the reader.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book struck me as extremely idealistic and somewhat pretentious. There are some nice ideas and concepts included in the text, but the majority are not compatible with current American living conditions. I think the value of this book would be greater to an American of Swedish descent, hoping to learn more about their roots. In fairness, I have to say I listened via audiobook and thus did not have access to the reference materials included, some of which were recipes that might have made the book more valuable to me.

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sensible, common sense ideas, a bit too prescriptive, perky and presumptive

[Divya Amladi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute for what it is, not quite practical tips for my life though.

[Penny Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a massive collection of books about simple living, slow living, mindfulness, etc. This is one of my absolute favorites!

These books can be sub-divided into these groups...

1. Cute mini books without much substance. But cute.
2. Books that are mainly gorgeous photographs.
3. Books that actually attempt to help folks live a more simple lifestyle, or minimalist lifestyle, etc.

I like all of them. I like the cutesy ones. I like the gorgeous photographs that are inspirational. And I love the ones that are filled with practical suggestions and solutions.

I thought this was one of those cutesy ones because of the cover. However, it is actually filled with excellent content about Swedish living, and it's chock full of good tips in a variety of areas. It's rare that I see something new or different, but this was filled with lots of things I haven't seen or read before, and I loved all of the details about Swedish culture.

The only chapter that made me think NO FREAKIN' WAY was the section about cold plunge/swimming in freezing cold water. I know this is supposed to have health benefits, but getting me to swim in the ocean in the summer is about as far as I'm willing to go with that one!

I also found the details about Swedish culture fascinating. The Swedes are very practical and community-minded which is an appealing way of life.

For anyone interested in simple living or Swedish culture, this book is a big winner.

Grade: A+

I also adore the author's blog myscandanavianhome.com. It's fabulous!

(My other favorite book on simple living is MINIMALISTA by Shira Gill. Minimalista: Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Better Home, Wardrobe, and Life

[Robban Fleege · Rating 2 out of 5]

Content would get 3 star. Pretty accurate assessment and well enough written...BUT audio - specifically the READER is horrible. She butchers all the Swedish words (and book is full of them) to the point that as a native Swedish speaker I could barely even understand half of them. Every vowel is pronounced short but in Swedish almost all vowels are long (or at least not short). Reader especially butchered all important NJUTA and all is grammatical variations.... It was so annoying that it was hard to focus on the content. Reader / production gets 0 stars so 2 stars is generous.

Another thing that annoyed me and is common in other works of analyzing the Nordic Countries. Foreign authors and reporters love pointing out that Scandinavians and Finns (and Germans) have all these cute specific words for very special things. Yes in some cases but mostly they are just compound words. Swedish and other Nordic Countries - Even- especially Finnish are full of Multi-word-compound words that in other languages would be sentences. Example: Author points out that Swedes appreciate their work, their easy going work culture and have a special word for it. Arbetsglädje. No they don't. That's just two word together meaning job satisfaction ( work gladness)