SISUNU

Meaning of SISU
Sisu is a unique Finnish concept. Sisu is special strength and persistent determination and resolve to continue and overcome in the
moment of adversity…an almost magical quality, a combination of stamina, perseverance, courage, and determination held in reserve for
hard times.

Sisu is a Finnish concept and cultural construct that is described through a combination of various English terms including stoic
determination, tenacity of purpose, grit, bravery, resilience, and hardiness and is held by Finns themselves to express their national
character.

To the Finnish people, sisu has a mystical, almost magical meaning. ... It is a Finnish term that can be roughly translated into English as
strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity. Sisu is not momentary courage, but the ability to
sustain that courage.

Sisu Begins Where Perseverance Ends

Adversities are an integral part of human experience, but what is it that enables us to endure the toughest of situations and take
action against nearly impossible odds? What keeps us going, when we feel we have reached the end of our abilities?

The small Nordic country of Finland has a cultural construct known as sisu, used to describe the enigmatic power that enables
individuals to push through significant hardships. The term dates back hundreds of years. However, the idea of sisu is much older.
It is a central part of Finnish collective discourse and can been seen as a life philosophy. Sisu is extraordinary courage and
determination in the face of adversity. It’s about not seeing a silver lining in the clouds, and yet jumping into the storm anyways. At
the core of sisu is the idea that in each of us there is more strength that meets the eye. Even though the construct of sisu has its
roots in Finland, it is relevant to all human beings anywhere in the world. It is a potential which we all share and which can have a
powerful impact on our daily lives. Sisu is embodied by people everywhere who defy the odds and hold on to hope when there at
first seems to be none. 

Among the main findings of a wide-scale study I conducted in 2013 was the perception of sisu as a reserve of power which enables
extraordinary action to overcome mentally or physically challenging situations. Sisu is more about taking action against the odds
and stretching beyond one's observed capacities, than about pursuing long term goals. It relates to what we do when we face
formidable obstacles while striving for a goal. Because of its emphasis on short term intensity rather than long term stamina, sisu
seems to render itself different from other related constructs such as perseverance and grit. It can be seen as something that acts
as a pathway to resileince, which is referred to as the dynamic process of positive adaptation to stress or a tragedy. One could say
that sisu begins where grit and perseverance end, and is akin to an extra gear of psychological strength.

Adversities are an integral part of human experience, but what is it that enables us to endure the toughest of situations and take
action against nearly impossible odds? What keeps us going, when we feel we have reached the end of our abilities?

The small Nordic country of Finland has a cultural construct known as sisu, used to describe the enigmatic power that enables
individuals to push through significant hardships. The term dates back hundreds of years. However, the idea of sisu is much older.
It is a central part of Finnish collective discourse and can been seen as a life philosophy. Sisu is extraordinary courage and
determination in the face of adversity. It’s about not seeing a silver lining in the clouds, and yet jumping into the storm anyways. At
the core of sisu is the idea that in each of us there is more strength that meets the eye. Even though the construct of sisu has its
roots in Finland, it is relevant to all human beings anywhere in the world. It is a potential which we all share and which can have a
powerful impact on our daily lives. Sisu is embodied by people everywhere who defy the odds and hold on to hope when there at
first seems to be none. 

 
Among the main findings of a wide-scale study I conducted in 2013 was the perception of sisu as a reserve of power which enables
extraordinary action to overcome mentally or physically challenging situations. Sisu is more about taking action against the odds
and stretching beyond one's observed capacities, than about pursuing long term goals. It relates to what we do when we face
formidable obstacles while striving for a goal. Because of its emphasis on short term intensity rather than long term stamina, sisu
seems to render itself different from other related constructs such as perseverance and grit. It can be seen as something that acts
as a pathway to resileince, which is referred to as the dynamic process of positive adaptation to stress or a tragedy. One could say
that sisu begins where grit and perseverance end, and is akin to an extra gear of psychological strength.

Adopting an Action Mindset

Sisu as a psychological capacity refers to extraordinary determination in the face of extreme stress or adversity. It also seems to
contribute to something that I have named the action mindset: a consistent, courageous approach toward challenges which at first
seem to exceed our capabilities.

If we dare to reach beyond our present situation, we start to act and move toward our goals, pushing past our barriers. These
barriers might be fear, uncertainty, physical pain or lack of trust in oneself, among many other such limits. As we step past this
boundary, we redefine it as a frontier – what could have been the end has become the beginning. In this way, action mindset can
serve as a hugely empowering tool with the potential to create massive change in the lives of individuals and entire communities.

An action mindset contributes to how we approach problems. One could describe it as akin to signing up for a marathon or an
Ironman before knowing that you can actually complete it. It provides a daring ´leap before you look´ attitude, so we are not
paralyzed by the idea of every possible thing that might go wrong.

Why does this matter?

All of the major developments of modern civilization have depended on a person or group of people’s ability to prospect possible
futures, and to be bold enough to dream and go where no one has gone before. It is about taking a leap of faith, and trusting that
when the moment comes we are able keep up the practice, stand behind our vision and push through obstacles. In order to thrive
and evolve, we must also step out of the familiar zone, and engage in activities which stretch our mental reserves. Adopting an
action mindset allows us to reach beyond the observed limitations of our present moment and create new realities for ourselves.
How we approach challenges: do we shy away from them or hold our head up high and power through? The answer has a huge
impact on the kind of decisions we make and, therefore, how we spend our lives. We are what we choose to do. 

The term 'action mindset' conveys the dynamic quality of sisu as an action-enabling strength capacity. Based on the survey data
collected from 1,060 respondents in 2013, sisu and it's sister construct, the action mindset, seem to be especially useful in
generating the impetus to tackle highly challenging tasks. 

Understanding the Nature of Adversities

Ralph Waldo Emerson once famously wrote "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail."
Adversities are an unavoidable, universal part of the human experience. Striving to achieve meaningful goals, pursuing our purpose
or standing up for our values are acts which often involve enduring numerous failures. Furthermore, we may face unexpected
hardships and trauma, which take us to the very edge of our existence.

If we are to determine a comprehensive understanding of the human experience, and of the enabling factors of a good life, we must
understand what makes individuals persevere and recover from setbacks. Consequently, positive psychology has turned its focus
on the more challenging aspects of life in order to explore the full canvas of human experience. Along with exalting the benefits of
positive emotions (such as joy, gratitude, serenity, hope, amusement, awe, and love) and exploring topics such as meaning,
positive relationships and well-being, researchers have done seminal work in examining the meaning of adversity, post-traumatic
growth, and resilience.
 

There are some events in life that contain the possibility for drastic change, in the form of a newly discovered, profound sense of
strength and purpose. Recent studies on post-traumatic growth affirm that crises and trauma can create surprisingly positive
psychological outcomes. Research on stress management, coping with trauma and post-traumatic growth all suggest that there can
indeed be deep-seated, positive benefits to be gained from hardship. These include strengthening of character, a deeper
experience of purpose and meaning, and increased resilience, as well as enhanced relationships and greater appreciation of life.
The key is to understand the significance of the experience, and to see oneself as a thriver instead of a victim, as an active narrator
of one´s story instead of a passive bystander.

It has been found that after the adversity is over the individual does not simply revert to a baseline level, but experiences personal
development which can be quite profound. What this means is that post-traumatic growth seems to contribute to a powerful change
in some pre-established schemas within the individual, and lead to lasting improvement. However, this growth does not occur as an
immediate result of trauma, but its occurrence and quality is defined in the complex integration and assimilation process which
takes place after the event. Often people tend to be surprised by their own experience of growth, implying it had not been a
conscious goal. A wide body of research shows that the way we deal with adversity has an enormous impact on our subjective well-
being. Furthermore, having access to caring connections and social support plays a huge role.

Organisms are programmed to seek out a comfortable state, and to remain in preservation mode until the balance is disturbed and
the organism is forced to seek alternative means and response models. Staying in this place of equilibrium saves valuable energy
to sustain life, but also hinders the organism from the benefits which delving deeply into its resources can bring. Even though it is
always uninvited, poorly timed and delivering a heavy burden, adversity may offer us the unparalleled gift of growth in the form of a
newly found sense of self, of our own power and adaptability.

 
Understanding the psychological power potential of sisu and adopting an action-mindset may help us become more resilient. It may
also offer us an understanding of our capacity to better handle the challenges and crises we face. Humans have a staggering ability
to adapt and grow, and we usually need to look no further than our own past (or that of our loved ones) to know this. Our stories
hold nearly infinite power. They showcase the universal spirit and bravery we share in common. They ignite hope, and prime us to
follow their inspiring example while simultaneously enabling us to recognize our shared qualities, fostering compassion toward our
fellow human beings. Reframing challenges as learning experiences, and embracing crises as opportunities to unlock potential
strengths (which we might not otherwise discover) is at the core of my work. Sisu is a new construct within the field of positive
psychology. I am excited to see what its detailed examination and possible future applications might unveil to us about the
determinants of resilience, mental toughness, well-being and perhaps even our ability to build stronger, safer communities.  .

Life often challenges us, and sometimes even threatens to break us, but we can actually become stronger in the aftermath of these
challenges. My mission is to remind everyone who I meet that the strength within us as individuals (and especially when we come
together to support one another) is much more powerful than the adversities we encounter.

Join me in this mission by making it a conscious goal to encourage those around you to become the best possible versions of
themselves. Let's turn barriers into frontiers!
PRODUCT RANGE

SIZE RANGE

Essential Oils
10 ml roller bottle
10 ml spray bottle
5 ml minis open bottle
1.5 ml/2ml spray
1 ml minis/samples

Frangrance
7.5 ml or 10 ml skinny fragrance roller
12 ml wide spray
1.5 ml or 2ml spray

Body Care/Home Care

15/30ml Dropper (medical)
60ml/100 ml spray bottle (home, toilet, air freshener, facial mist, linen spray).
30ml/60ml/100 pot jars (sleep balm, nappy balm, massage blend, digestion rub, muscle rub)
5.5g Lip Balm
10 ml (eye cream/ & balm samples)
CAPSULE COLLECTIONS

Best Sellers Premium

Best Seller Diluted

Maternity and Baby

Mood Boosters – Men

Mood Boosters – Women

Problem Solvers – General/or Kids General

Medicinal support – All

Medicinal Support – Kids

Fragrance
Home Care/Fragrance
Body Care
PRIMARY RANGE

ESSENTIAL OILS
10 ml roller bottle/10 ml spray bottle/5ml minis open/1.5 ml or 2ml spray/1 ml samples
 Black and Black Lid (premium oil and hero range)
 Clear glass and black lid (same as black range but diluted/heros)

 White Frosted and White Lid (maternity)

 Black Bottle White Lid (Men)

 White frosted and black lid (Women)

 Clear glass and white lid (Kids)

 Amber and White Lid (Medical Kids)
 Amber and Black Lid (Medical All)

FRAGRANCE

7.5ml or 10 ml skinny fragrance roller/skinny fragrance spray/12 ml wide spray/1.5 ml or 2ml spray

 White bottle and black lid

SECONDARY RANGE

ESSENTIAL OILS
15/30ml Dropper (medical)
60ml/100 ml spray bottle (home, toilet, air freshener, facial mist, linen spray).
30ml/60ml/100 pot jars (sleep balm, nappy balm, massage blend, digestion rub, muscle rub)
5.5g Lip Balm
10 ml (eye cream/ & balm samples)
Bottle Type Black Bottle Clear Glass Frosted Bottle Black Bottle Frosted Bottle Clear Bottle Amber Bottle Amber Bottle Black
Black Lid Black Lid White Lid White Lid Black Lid White Lid White Lid Lid

HERO PREMIUM HERO MATERNITY MENS WOMENS KIDS MEDICAL MEDICAL ALL
DILUTED KIDS

Theme Best Sellers Best Sellers Mum and Bubs Problems/Mood Problems/Mood Problems/Mood Medical Kids Medical All

Price
10 ml roller
10 ml spray
5 ml mini
1.5 ml spray
1 ml sample
Product STUDY BLEND SNORING PERFUME ALLERGY ALLERGY
Name MEMORY Thyme, SNEEZE
What does it Fractionated Coconut Oil, Marjoram,
do Rosemary Oil , Peppermint Eucalyptus,
Ingredients Oil , Frankincense Oil , Sandalwood,
Cedarwood Oil, GingerOil Lavender
Product CONCENTRATION/ . DANDRUFF METABOLISM SLEEP/SWEET ECZEMA ECZEMA
Name ALERTNESS Lavender, OVEREATNG DREAMS/NIGHTMARES
What does it Fractionated Coconut Oil Wintergreen, BINDGING
do Peppermint Oil, Ylang Ylang Cypress,
Ingredients Oil, Lemon Oil , Basil Oil, Rosemary,
Rosemary Oil. Cederwood
Product CALMING/ LABOUR BALDING HAND & NAIL CALMING/GROUNDING IMMUNE IMMUNE
Name ANXIETY ASSIST dropper OIL SUPPORT SUPPORT
What does it Fractionated Coconut Oil, dropper Stimulation of dropper
do Lavender Oil, Wild Orange Calms the the hair follicle to
Ingredients Oil, Lemon Oil, Ylang Ylang nervous promote natural
Oil, Frankincense Oil. system, hair growth.
relieves Rosemary,
anxiety, brings Lavender,
on labour, and thyme, ylang
helps with ylang,
 expelling cedarwood.
afterbirth.
Clary sage,
geranium and
lavender
Product FEAR MILK SUPPLY BEARD OIL DEODORANT HYPERACTIVETY DIGESTIVE DIGESTIVE
Name Ylang Ylang, Wild Orange, Roller dropper Lemongrass, SUPPORT/ SUPPORT
What does it Sandalwood Increases milk Promote health cedar wood, TUMMY
do supply. think hair growth lavender, TAMER
Ingredients Basil and Rosemary, eucalyptus
Fennel lemon, lavender,
thyme, cypress
Product STRETCH DEPRESSION WRINKES WORRY/ RESPIRATORY RESPIRATORY
Name MARKS Roller Roller NAIL BITTING SUPPORT SUPPORT
What does it Dropper Bottle Helps to balance Apply to area of
do Supports the emotions concern to
Ingredients natural skin frankincense and promote natural
regeneration. bergamot skin cellular
Lavender and turnover.
Myrrh Lavender,
Frankincense,
Geranium
Product INFERTILITY HANGOVER CRAVINGS CONSOLING/SEPARATION FEVER ADDICTION/HABBIT
Name Roller roller ANXITY BREAKER
What does it To support Lemon,
do natural Grapefruit,
Ingredients regulation of Lavender,
hormonal Rosemary, and
balance Sandalwood.
clary sage, Apply to the
Geranium, back of neck and
Cypress, over the liver.
Fennel
Product LABOUR PAIN COLOGNE 51 & BEYOND OWIE SCARING
Name RELIEF MENAPAUSE
What does it Dropper
do Helps to reduce
Ingredients pain, and gives
you strength
 and endurance.
Black pepper
and Basil.
Product DEPRESSION DEPRESSION BABY BLUES DEODORANT PMS GROWING ACHE
Name Lemon, Frankincense, Lemon, Roller Spray HORMONAL PAINS MUSCULOSKELETAL
What does it Lavender, bergamot, wild Frankincense, Balance BALANCE SUPORT
do orange Lavender, hormones,
Ingredients bergamot, wild increase
orange energy, relieve
stress, uplift
and encourage
positive
emotions.
Bergamot,
Grapefruit,
Clary Sage,
Wild Orange,
Frankincense.
Product GREIF/ MORNING CALLUSES LOVE TEETHIING HEADACHE
Name SORROW SICKNESS roller INCREASE Lavender, Peppermint,
What does it Lemon, Lavender, Bergamot, roller or mini LIBITY frankincense Rosemary,
do Clary Sage, Juniper Berry dropper FEELING OF Eucalyptus,
Ingredients to relieve COMFORT AND Frankincense,
feelings of SECURITY Patchouli.
morning
sickness
Peppermint,
Ginger and
Lavender
Product AGING/ CRADLE CAP AFER SHAVE YOGA OIL BED WETTING
Name FORGETFULLNESS OIL
What does it thyme, frankincense dropper dropper
do Cypress,
Ingredients Frankincense
Product STRESS MASSAGE INCREASE HEAD LICE
Name Lavender, Lemon, Ylang BALM BABIES LIBITO spray
What does it Ylang, Bergamot, grapefruit. roller deters head lice
do Promote skin
Ingredients on skin contact Tea Tree and
 with baby Lavender
Product MOTIVATON BOTTOM HEART BURN HEADACHE
Name PROCRASTINATION BALM roller Peppermint,
What does it Fractionated Coconut Oil, Rosemary,
do Peppermint Oil, Eucalyptus,
Ingredients Frankincense,
Patchouli.
Product COURAGE JAUNDICE CHOLESTEROL
Name
What does it Lemongrass,
do clary sage,
Ingredients helichrysum, dill,
lavender
Helplessness
cypress, white fir, juniper
berry, lavender, frankincense.

All available in standard 10mls and in 5ml minis.

(NB: Might be better to go with the positive word and not the negative. But negative gets attention. Something for us to consider.).

Problems
Adults
Stress
Overwhelm
Conflict
Negativity
Hypercritical
Pessimism
Hesitation
Can’t Sleep/Nightmares
Worry
Helplessness
Lack of consistency
No Rest
No Time
Headaches
Too Busy
Self Doubt
Uncertainty
Over Thinking
Loneliness
Overspending
Can’t save
Finance Troubles

Kids
Don’t like school
Bullying
Loneliness
Lack of concentration
Cold and Flu
Nightmares
No one likes me/Not popular/No friends

Product Name Ideas

Disconnect
Destress
Don’t Panic
Habit Breaker
Focus
Mindfulness
Get Fit
Positive Energy
Self Belief
Move On
Acceptance
Success
Evening Rest
Sleep Well
Connection
Romance
Happy
Productivity
High Grade Thinking
Achieving
Productivity
You’ve Got This (Self Belief)
Me Time
Abundance

Custom Made/Discovery Box

Option 1: Tick box and choose your Challenge/Mood/Emotion and have an oil custom made specifically for you (surprise package)
Option 2: Send us your name and choose personality traits and we’ll make an oil especially for you with you/your friend’s name handwritten on bottle