What Sisu Can Tell Us About Resiliency & Happiness

By: Kristen Sohlman, MACP RP

​Sisu is a term that I have heard used many times in my life and that I have even seen commonly tattooed on many bodies in the Thunder Bay area.  Just what does Sisu mean? And what can it tell us about resiliency and happiness?

Sisu is a Finnish cultural term that has no direct English translation, that can describe a form of resiliency and perseverance in difficult or challenging situations.  Sisu describes a form of resiliency that requires inner strength, will, gut, and determination.  Sisu can be seen in images of soldiers fighting in war, women in childbirth at home or in a sauna, people completing a marathon, people overcoming oppression or mental health issues, and the many other examples of resiliency that one can see when they are truly living life.  Sisu has the ability to transform barriers to valuable experiences even when difficult.

If someone recognized a quality of Sisu in you they might be commenting on your ability to be an emotional, mental, physical, or even spiritual, bad ass.  Sisu occurs when you accomplish things that you did not know possible.  Interestingly, Sisu tends not to describe the cognitive and leans more towards the present moment, living, and being, even in difficult or adverse situations.

I have also seen examples of the misuse of the term Sisu. It is important to realize that Sisu does not describe stubbornness, doing things on your own, or enduring things that detrimentally impact your wellbeing or your physical and mental health.  Sisu also requires self-awareness, knowing when to ask for help, having healthy relationships, as well as the acceptance and expression of even difficult emotions.  As such, Sisu requires elements of radical acceptance, perseverance, commitment, integrity, and a responsibility towards the greater good.

Since Sisu is a mindset, a way of living, or a way of being, it is universal and achievable by us all, and not just by the Finnish people.  Sisu is an important ingredient in the spice of life, it helps one to be in the present moment and to live life on life’s terms.  Sisu does not mean chasing happiness, but through living and being, letting happiness find you even in the darkest of moments.  Sisu is the ability to be vulnerable with healthy boundaries and can be seen when taking the uncomfortable or more difficult route and to work outside of your comfort zone for the betterment of growth, learning, as well as emotional, physical, and spiritual development.

“Happiness is not found by searching but by living.” ~Katja Pantzar

References:
Pantzar, K. (2018). The finnish way. New York, NY: Penguin Random House LLC.