Elisabeth Matsgård – I like who I am. That’s where everything starts

On presence, perspective, and the quiet discipline of choosing well.

There are people who move through the world without needing to be seen — but who see everything. Elisabeth Matsgård has spent a lifetime working close to media, communication, and the shaping of narratives, including being part of the early build of TV3. Not in the foreground, but in positions where perspective matters more than visibility. Today, her focus has shifted. Less about building, more about refining. Less about adding, more about choosing.

In a life shaped by experience, tempo slows — but attention sharpens. What remains is a way of looking at the world: attentive, selective, and grounded in presence. The kind that notices what others pass by.

What feels important to you right now?

There’s really only one thing that matters, that every day, as long as I live, holds something that feels meaningful. Something that brings a sense of joy or enrichment, in one way or another. It doesn’t have to be big. It can be a conversation, a meeting, or simply walking outside and noticing what’s around me. Some days it’s just birdsong. But that’s enough. I’ve become very aware of that, that it’s in the small things the value lies.

And I follow the world closely. I feel a responsibility to stay informed. To understand what’s happening beyond my own life.

With your experience, is there something you notice that others tend to overlook?

Yes — presence. People move too quickly. They don’t fully register the encounters they have throughout the day. But those moments, the small, almost invisible meetings, are where something actually happens. If you slow down, even briefly, you notice how much is there. A glance, a short exchange, a child passing by, it all affects you.

I think we underestimate how much we change, constantly, through those interactions. But you have to be present for it.

“Every day has to hold something that enriches me, even if it’s just birdsong”

What do you no longer compromise on in the way you live?

I probably still compromise more than I should. But there are things I hold on to. I run a small jazz club, and that’s something I care deeply about.

It has to be done in a way that feels right to me. That’s not something I let go of. And relationships matter, especially with younger people. Being able to give something, not just receive. To see that you can bring someone a sense of joy or presence. That exchange, that mutual giving, is something I think we’ve lost awareness of.

What have you learned to leave out?

I’ve learned to step back. There was a situation recently where a friend became ill, and many people wanted to help. And I realised, I shouldn’t add myself to that. It becomes too much. So I wait. I stay close, but not present in a way that overwhelms.

I think I’ve become better at reading situations. Not perfectly, I’m still quite spontaneous and I tend to throw myself into things. But I don’t get affected in the same way anymore. And I think that comes from something very simple, I like who I am. That’s fundamental. Without that, it’s difficult to be open or generous towards others.

Is there something you feel you’re moving towards or away from?

I try to move away from relationships that don’t work. That’s not always easy. At the same time, I think more about how I want to live the years I have left. Whether it’s five years or fifteen, you don’t know.

I’ve thought about death for a long time. It’s not something I fear. That perspective changes how you approach life. What I move towards is simplicity, in a way. And positive energy, which really comes down to the people you surround yourself with.

What does sisterhood mean to you and who are the women you return to?

It’s quite simple. It’s the women who like me and whom I like in return. Those are the relationships that matter. And they need to be taken care of. I had a twin sister who passed away a few years ago. She knew me better than anyone. That kind of connection can’t be replaced. But you can build something close to it, if you invest in the relationships you have.

Earlier in my career, relationships between women were often complicated. There was competition, sometimes a certain harshness. Today, it feels different. At this stage in life, you become more selective. You don’t have the same time or energy to build new relationships from scratch.

So you focus on what matters, and you take care of it.