Ted Lasso’s episode ‘Sunflowers’ perfectly exemplifies the Dutch Concept of ‘Gezellig’.

Spoiler alert: this piece contains spoilers about Ted Lasso season 3.

“Gezellig”, the hunky Dutch man who comes to Rebecca’s aid after she walks into a bike lane in Amsterdam and gets knocked into the canal, explains. “It can mean ‘cosy’ like a warm fire. But you can also keep your mind ‘Gezellig’ he continues, pointing a finger to his temple. “You know, your heart, your soul. The people you’re with. The places you go. Even this right now” he says gesturing to the space in between them, “is Gezellig”.

His cosy wooden houseboat is the epitome of the concept. Pine louvre cupboards line the kitchen walls which are illuminated by the glow of warm-yellow spotlights. Kitchen countertops decorated with an array of matching and mis-matched kitchen apparatus. A variety of different sized orange cast-iron pots are neatly stacked in the open plan cupboards giving a sense of ‘fullness’ without being cluttered. Vegetable ends are sprinkled over wooden chopping boards, a pot gently bubbles on the stove in the background.

Whilst ‘Gezellig’ could, at first glance, be seen as a similar concept to the Danish word ‘Hygge’ (which also refers to things that are ‘warm and cosy’), the Dutch phrase runs much deeper.

It’s the warmth of good-humoured and upbeat company, connectivity which creates a feel-good atmosphere, high vibes and jovial companionship. There appears to be a modesty to the concept that amplifies a power of a humble and shared human experience. Moreover, the concept has a feel of shared responsibility about it – everyone involved chips in to play a role to keep the mood cheerful. Maintaining ‘Gezelligheid’ (the state of being ‘Gezellig’) is by all accounts, a group effort involving co-operation and teamwork.

The concept has no direct English translation although it’s often translated as ‘conviviality’, ‘cosiness’ and ‘fun’.  It’s frequently described as capturing the heart and soul of Dutch culture. Even Obama used the phrase to describe his visit to the Netherlands.

Cosy Dutch houseboat’s aside, the entire episode ‘Sunflowers’ is positively overflowing with the concept of Gezelligheid. Characterized by the many bromances and companionships threaded throughout the hour-long special. In many ways it’s not surprising that the episode seeks to highlight the concept, given how interwoven the theme of ‘Teamwork’ is to the show itself.

From Jamie teaching Roy how to cycle on the light bulb-strewn streets of Amsterdam, to Higgins and Will attending a Jazz night in the red light district. Colin and Trent Crimm bonding over their shared double lives and the feathered-frenzied pillow-fight the team has at the hotel after failing to unite on how they would like to spend their evening.

And whilst the concept often involves good company, as Hunky Dutch man alludes to, the spirit of ‘Gezellig’ can also be channelled in one’s own company – by having a warm heart and a relaxed soul. Like Ted’s solo visit to the Van Gough museum and his hallucinogen-fuelled vision about ‘Total football’ at Yankee Doodle’s burger barn.

‘Gezellig’ can be sharing a hearty breakfast after an entire night of dancing, or a crispy fried egg baked in a pan. It can be the home comforts of southern American junk food or it can be opting for a movie night rather than a night out on the town. It’s the clink of wine glasses or dancing in the living room to bad Kenny Rodger’s covers.

As the episode draws to a close there are scenes of the team jovially piling onto a bus after their wild evening pillow fight. Coach Beard features front and centre dressed as piggy stardust as Bob Marley’s ‘Three little birds’ chimes in the background. My heart feels full. This episode perfectly demonstrates the concept of warm, connected, cosy living.

And I reflect on some of the ways that I might be able to honour this Dutch concept to inject a bit more ‘Gezellig’ into my own life. How I might insist that at group dinners we sit in a circle so the table is topped and tailed rather than simple sat across from one another for a more connected experience. How we might – all 6 or even 8 of us might strive to talk together as a group, rather than dividing into our relative silos. How we might endeavour to give everyone equal airtime rather than one or two characters dominating the conversation.  How I might even say ‘yes’ the next time I am invited for an evening of Karaoke with a group of strangers I’ve just met, despite the fact I rarely consume alcohol and really, really can’t sing.

How I might find cosiness in the warmth of a sunflower field or in the beauty of a single tulip.