This master’s thesis explores the experience of smell in its relational dimension. The starting point of the study is the question of whether smell can be understood as more than merely a sensory perception and a trigger of memories, and what role it plays in establishing an individual’s relationship with oneself, other people, and the environment. The theoretical part presents olfaction as a distinct sensory modality closely connected with emotions, memory, embodiment, identity, and social relationships. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding smell as a relational phenomenon through which individuals establish and maintain connections with significant others, places, and periods of their lives. In the empirical part, a descriptive phenomenological method was used to explore individuals’ lived experiences. Based on the analysis of interviews, a general psychological structure of the phenomenon of experiencing smell was developed. The results indicate that smell does not appear only as a trigger of autobiographical memory, but rather as a medium through which relational bonds are actualised and as an active means in the constitution of personal continuity. It emerged as a way of maintaining connections with others even in their absence, as a factor in the formation of personal identity, and as a means of belonging and being situated in the world. Smell frequently appears on a pre-reflective bodily and emotional level, where it influences an individual’s experience before it can be consciously explained. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of olfaction as an important yet often overlooked dimension of human experience. They also raise questions regarding the significance of the olfactory modality in therapeutic contexts and among individuals with impaired olfactory function.
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