When we titled the article, we were not lying: Elizabeth Carlson’s book “Lagom. Swedish secrets happy life” is a really easy read. And very pleasant - just the cover with the texture of wood is worth it! Give the book a few evenings and find out what is hidden behind the mysterious word “lagom”, how to live according to this philosophy, and why it is good not when there is too much, but when there is enough. Intrigued? Details are in our review.
The happiness of the Scandinavian countries has been haunting the whole world for several years now. With the Danes and themwe figured it out last year. Today it's the turn of Swedish lagom.
The word “lagom” (read as la-a-ogom , with emphasis on the first syllable) there is no analogue in Russian. A rough translation is “not too much, not too little – just enough.” For residents of Sweden, this is a key idea: “If you want to learn Swedish and understand our culture, try to figure out what lagom is,” the author notes.
In other words, lagom is a whole philosophy based on moderation, a sense of balance and caring for others. It can be applied to everything: from choosing food to arranging an apartment. The Swedes are confident that if people take exactly as much as they need and don’t reach for the last piece of the pie, the world will become a much better place.
The main advantage of Swedish philosophy is its individuality. Our needs and ideas about the golden mean change depending on age, gender, location and social circle. Therefore, everyone decides for themselves when “enough is enough.” Lagom teaches you to find a balance between work and rest, enjoy the moment, do what you love, listen to your body and sensations, be simpler and help others.
“Everyone is familiar with the situation when you take on a lot: as they say, you bite off more than you can chew. It also happens the other way around: it seems to us that we are always deprived. Somewhere in the middle is lagom. Ask yourself often: “Is this right for me? Is this lagom?”
“I know how to say “no” to things when the weekend is already full of plans, I know how to understand that I moved too little this week, and guess the moment when it’s time to leave the party.”
When talking about lagom, Elizabeth Carlson is happy to share personal experience and stories of his family, and also explains in detail the peculiarities of mentality and describes local traditions. A nice bonus is that the text is accompanied by atmospheric photographs taken by the author. The editors of the site liked the idea fika – coffee and sweets break with friends, relatives or colleagues. Maybe bring it into the office? Well, we already have training breakfasts.
On the pages of the book you will find traditional recipes: Brussels cookies, apple pie with cardamom, blueberry soup, summer berry crumble, elderberry drink... It sounds and looks very appetizing. We couldn’t resist – we ran to try it!
An entire chapter is devoted to arranging a house using logs. Swedish interiors change depending on the season: in the dark, cold winter, residents light lanterns, candles, wrap themselves in blankets and blankets, and “nest”; In the spring, the house is renovated, general cleaning is done, and textiles are changed.
Swedish people are prone to minimalism. By decorating the house according to lag, they are looking for a balance between comfort and reasonable consumption. Preference is given to beautiful and high-quality eco-friendly items that will last a long time. The interior is based on natural materials: wood, cork, stone, and a variety of textiles (linen, wool, wicker panels and carpets).
You can get closer to nature not only with the help of materials. Elizabeth says that she brings flowers, tree branches, pine cones, leaves, even pebbles from the local beach into the house and makes jewelry from them together with her children. The book contains several simple instructions.
The easier way: start indoor plants or plant seedlings of your favorite lettuce in a pot. A great opportunity to get closer to nature, exchange cuttings with neighbors and treat yourself to fresh herbs.
Conclusion: the Lagom philosophy covers all areas of life for Swedes. And to find harmony and balance, you don’t have to go to the homeland of IKEA and H&M. “You don’t have to have a party to have fun noisy party– just have a hot drink with a friend. Taking a walk in the park and exposing your face to the sun’s rays, planting flowers on the windowsill – the simplest thing is enough to feel the joy of life,” Elizabeth is sure.
“If we live in accordance with the principles of lagom, we are satisfied with life. Often we strive for happiness, imagining it as a distant goal, and this makes us unhappy.”
“By saying enough, we can achieve a lot.”
“Your home is alive and, like all living beings, is subject to the laws of nature and is constantly changing”
Carl Larsson
“Deep down, everyone has a “lagom thermometer” that tells them how to find balance.”
“Lagom does not require sacrifice. Nor does it require perfection—lagom is perfection in a specific situation.”
Elizabeth Carlson
Lagom. Swedish secrets to a happy life
What is Lagom philosophy?
Why is the philosophy of lagom becoming more relevant every day?
What is the secret to life satisfaction?
Why doesn't it work? positive psychology»?
Why is it good not when there is a lot, but when there is enough?
Why do Swedes avoid saying “yes” and “no”?
How to work in Swedish?
How to please yourself and your loved ones: treats in the spirit of lagom?
How to find a balance between work and personal life?
How to spend the weekend in accordance with the lag?
How to cook food according to lagom principles?
Why are breaks necessary?
How to bring lagom into your home?
How to do lagom fitness?
How does lagom affect appearance?
How to take care of your health in the spirit of Lagom?
How to get in touch with nature while living in the city?
How to find balance and harmony?
Introduction
Lagom is a simple, practical life with respect for others. I grew up in Sweden and lagom was part of our everyday life. Then I didn’t think about what it was.
The essence lagom in balance. My mother prepared dinner according to this principle. And she spoke about the temperature in the lake as “lagom”, that is, “warm enough” (although then it seemed to me that the water was too cold). Lagom also means living in accordance with the norms of society - the teenager sees this as a limitation of his freedom. Now I understand, I had a difficult relationship with lag, and probably most Swedes can say the same, although they are not always ready to admit it out loud.
I liked this difference of cultures, but no matter where I ended up: in Spain, and later in other places, the philosophy of lagom remained with me. Swedes living abroad are united by a tacit and confident knowledge of how to live “correctly.” Correct means in accordance with the lag.
Even if we Swedes move abroad to escape lagom, from a distance it begins to seem like the optimal way of life. Far from home, we want to live in accordance with the lag, as we understand it: not to stick our neck out and not try to grab too much of a piece, but to rejoice when everything goes well, to be happy for ourselves and those around us, and to understand that there is nothing wrong with to be different from others, because we are all parts of an interconnected whole.
As I grew older, I realized that lagom is the key to balance and harmony in life. Lagom largely defines my personality, beliefs, choices and explains why I rebelled against it in my homeland and why I adopted it when I was abroad. The lagom of my childhood did not suit me. As I grew up, I found my balance, my sense of lagom, which I value and apply in life. Lagom does not mean a boring, safe life. Even with a lag, you can take risks, but it will be a completely different risk!
The Lagom philosophy that guides me today is one of acceptance, joy and love.
It respects differences between people and is open to everyone. This philosophy supports a person and teaches him to see new possibilities. And it applies to every aspect of life.
Lagom - what does it mean?
LAGOM is a feeling of prosperity. You have enough of everything, and you do not experience a shortage of anything.
Lifestyle
Initially, lagom was a purely Scandinavian concept, but recently this philosophy has spread beyond Sweden and become fashionable (which is quite surprising to us Swedes).
The new, “international” concept of lagom means “not too much, not too little – just enough.” This has nothing to do with savings and restrictions. If you want to learn Swedish and understand our culture, try to understand what lagom is.
First, let's find out how to pronounce this word correctly. Swedish has a sound between A And O– it is he who is stressed in the word log. It's a long sound ( la-a-ogom). Try to pronounce it correctly!
The word itself arose between the 8th and 11th centuries, when we Swedes wore funny helmets with cow horns and called ourselves Vikings. According to legend, the Vikings passed it around in a circle (“in a circle” in Swedish) laget om) a horn filled with mead, and everyone took a small sip so that there was enough for everyone. This is how the word appeared lagom. There is another theory: that the word comes from Swedish lag- law. But I like the Viking story better.
Useful word or something else?
Lagom - not only useful word Swedish; this concept largely explains the behavior of the Swedes.
Lagom can be applied to everything: the serving of ice cream and the size of the house, the spiciness of the sauce, the amount of drink on Friday (I'm not kidding). At the same time Lagom means not only quantity, but also quality . “Just enough” is a philosophy of moderation based on a sense of balance and caring for others.
Ben, an Englishman living in Sweden, admits that he never understood why Swedes attach lagom so much meaning. There is no such word in English, but the philosophy of lagom was not invented by the Swedes. They just have the right word for it. Lagom means “exactly as much as needed” - imprecise, but suitable quantity. For example, at the table they ask: how much sauce do you need? And you answer: "Mehhh, lagom tack". And they give you as much as you need.
Lagom - advice: Swedes know what happiness is, largely thanks to lagom - the ability to find a balance between “too little” and “too much”.
Lagom - a concept from the past?
If you look at various forums for Swedes abroad, it becomes clear that even when we don't live in Sweden and don't speak Swedish every day, we still use the word lagom a lot.
But can we expect to be understood when using this word in a certain context?
Understanding lagom depends on the generation. For Swedes born after the Swedish group Ace of Base became popular, that is, after 1992, the concept lagom has a completely different meaning than for the older generation. Critics of lagom often say that this word means leveling and lagom stands in the throat of anyone who wants to take a step to the left or to the right.
In Sweden there is a popular brand of one and a half percent milk - Mellanmjölk, milk in green cartons whose design has not changed since the 1980s. This milk is not too fat and not too skim - enough fatty, that is, lagom. Mellanmjölk– this is what stand-up comedian Jonas Gardell, who became popular in the 1990s, called his tour. His bright personality was not to the taste of many; By Swedish standards, Gardell was by no means a lag. However, his enormous popularity testifies: many really felt the pressure of equalization in all spheres of life and therefore saw themselves in this “unlike” person.
Does this mean that lagom is outdated and has a place in another time and in another Sweden, where the population was more homogeneous and people were more closed? In the era of globalization, people's behavior is also changing. What if the old concepts no longer fit into our culture? So they should develop together with society.
Lagom in a new way
It seems to me that in our time the concept of “lagom” is being rethought.
In a world teetering on the brink of disaster (according to the news), where the gap between rich and poor is growing every day, the philosophy of balance, collective thinking and smart consumption seems much more attractive than instability, individualism and greed. Of course, living according to the principles of lagom will not help stop global warming and hunger, but shouldn't each of us do everything we can to improve the world we live in?
Lagom is a philosophy that everyone can learn for their own good and the good of our planet.
Imagine consciously taking less from the world around you by recycling resources or using electricity sparingly. You don't take more than you need. Even if the lagom fad fades, the ethics behind the concept can be very beneficial for us and for future generations.
Lagom and happiness
“The best thing to do is to have as much as you need,” says a Swedish proverb.
Happiness in Scandinavian style
Sweden often ranks among the top 10 happiest countries in the famous World Happiness Ranking Survey, which the UN conducts every year.
Not only Sweden, but all Scandinavian countries usually find themselves at the top of this ranking. Why is this happening?
Sweden is often presented as an exemplary model of a state where everything gets done Right. It is a country of gender equality, high levels of social security and quality of life. Thanks to all this, the residents are happy. Although Swedish society has changed a lot over the past ten years - as has life around the world - Sweden is still a country where everything gets done for people. People come first - this is what the Lagom philosophy teaches. The balance between work and free time, which can be given to your loved ones and society.
But to become happier and enjoy life by practicing lagom, you don’t have to live in Sweden. Lagom is more a philosophy than a way of life.
It's a general approach to life that says everyone gets a piece of the pie the same size as everyone else, not too big and not too small.
The golden mean in Swedish is when everything is available in the right quantity.
As much as needed
It turns out that our brain also doesn’t like it when something is missing.
The cerebral cortex responsible for planning complex solutions and multitasking, it functions optimally “in the middle”: excessive relaxation and excessive stress hinder its effectiveness. Amy Ernsten, a professor of neurobiology and psychology at Yale University, says this. To achieve the best performance, balance is necessary.
But according to a 2016 study conducted by scientists from Hong Kong and Bulgaria, happiness may be determined genetically. Perhaps it's all in your DNA! Scientists have found that in countries where a certain gene predominates in the population, there is a higher happiness rating.
We are talking about a gene responsible for sensory pleasure and pain reduction - it is probably this gene that explains the difference between the level of happiness in different European countries. Residents of Northern Europe, especially Sweden, high level activity of this gene, and these are the countries that occupy the top lines of the happiness rating. At the same time, scientists note that the level of happiness is influenced not only by genetics. A stable economic and political situation in society is also important.
But enough about DNA. Of course, happiness doesn't depend on whether you have Scandinavian genes. The level of happiness is easily explained by the Lag philosophy: happiness is a life in which there is enough of everything, not too much and not too little, and the current state of things is quite satisfactory.
Many Swedes live with the confidence that the state will take care of them from cradle to grave. The reassurance that they will not have to struggle to survive promotes inner peace. Swedes have time to devote themselves to activities that are important to them and add value to their lives. When life is full of meaning, you feel its value and realize your purpose, and this is happiness. Live by lag, and you will soon agree that life, in general, is not bad. Of course, it could be better, but what you have now is quite enough.
When I come to Sweden, I am always struck by the aura of calm satisfaction emanating from the Swedes. They seem to know some secret, live the way they want, and are sure that they do everything Right. I'm often reluctant to admit that the best way organizing things in the closet, as the Swedes came up with, simply does not exist.
The confidence that you are doing everything right fills a person with inner peace.
Lagom and life satisfaction
If we live according to the principles of lagom, we are happy with life. Often we strive for happiness, imagining it as a distant goal, and this makes us unhappy.
In 1998, Martin Seligman, appointed president of the American Psychological Association, gave the inaugural speech that marked the beginning of positive psychology. Happiness could now be measured, accounted for, and controlled through a variety of research techniques.
Suddenly happiness became goods, which can be packaged and sold profitably. Self-proclaimed gurus and positive psychology experts have inundated us with books on “How to Be Happy.” Books, lectures, exercises, techniques - all this taught us to be happy and emphasized that happiness does not depend on specific circumstances, and the emotional state can be controlled and changed using various techniques.
But it turned out that an active search for happiness makes a person unhappy. The harder we try to be happy, the less happy we are in reality. If we have a pre-formed idea of how we should feel when something good happens in life, and then the proper level of euphoria is not felt, this good event will not cause joy, but disappointment.
Scientists from the University of California Berkeley studied diary entries, made by their wards within two weeks. Scientists found that people who prioritized happiness felt more lonely in their daily lives than those who didn't. We come to a deeper and more stable sense of well-being not by trying to find happiness, but by striving to find meaning in life in every moment.
Joy and meaningfulness of existence are concepts that are considered in philosophy to be two facets of happiness.
In The Power of Meaning, Emily Esfhani Smith explores the writings of great thinkers and writers (Aristotle, Leo Tolstoy, and others) and recent scientific achievements in the search for the meaning of life. She concludes that meaningfulness is only possible when you live in close contact with others and share with them. In the family or at work, in volunteer activities, religion and other activities - this can be expressed in any area.
I remember when I gave birth to my first son, Alwar, I was so relieved that I no longer had to worry every minute about my selfish goals and well-being. When I had someone to feed and raise, I felt true satisfaction. As cliché as it may sound, I began to appreciate small joys. All my actions made sense.
Lagom is the principle on which Swedish life is based; this concept is closely woven into our culture and is acquired unconsciously. It may be difficult for an outsider to understand that lagom permeates everything we do and produces a feeling of contentment and balance - a constant positive outlook on life that is natural.
More is not better and when you apply lagom to different situations, you will understand: this is really so. The feeling that you have everything quite enough, no more and no less than necessary, gives happiness for a long time. Just remember that everyone has a different idea of “enough.”
Common boiler
At the heart of Scandinavian culture is the idea of a common pot: everyone contributes and benefits.
This allows us Scandinavians to enjoy life because we know that the most important things, such as quality healthcare, have been taken care of for us. When you no longer need to worry about basic needs, there is more time for activities that fill life with meaning: time with family, finding a balance between work and free time, hobbies and interests.
This is why Swedes rarely complain about high taxes: we know that taxes help maintain a high standard of living. Parents in Sweden can devote themselves to their careers because we have free kindergartens. According to my Swedish friend Clara, “everyone understands that if both parents continue to work, society benefits; we are not losing talented staff, especially women. And society needs children.”
At work in Sweden, they also adhere to the principles of lag - during the day, Swedes take regular breaks, they are called fika– “cookie break” (see Chapter III). We don't have very long working hours, and yet work efficiency in Sweden is high. It is worth wondering why other countries do not use lagom principles in the workplace.
While you're unlikely to move to Sweden and take advantage of the country's generous social benefits and long holidays, it is still possible to incorporate the concept of lagom into your life. You will feel the joy of life because lagom will free up time for your favorite activities - music, gardening, whatever!
When you have time to do what you love, life will take on a new quality.
To have fun, you don't have to throw a noisy party - just drink a hot drink with a friend. Take a walk in the park and expose your face to the sun's rays, plant flowers on the windowsill - the simplest thing is enough to feel the joy of life.
TRY...
SALAD IN A POT
What's good about summer? The fact that you can eat fresh salad every day. You don't need a lot of space. Salad greens can be grown in a pot. Place it in a convenient place and eat food grown with your own hands.
You will need:
shards for drainage,
drainage stones,
nutritious soil,
flexible rods (optional),
seedlings of any lettuce: arugula, lettuce, sorrel.
Edible flower seeds (pansies) add color.
1. If there are no holes in the bottom of the pot, make them. Lay the shards down to improve drainage. Add drainage stones. Then fill the pot almost to the top with soil.
2. You can make a small fence around the perimeter of the pot. Cut the twigs about 40 cm long. Bend them into an arch and stick them into the ground. You will get a neat fence.
3. Make small holes and plant seeds or seedlings, then compact the soil.
4. Place the seedlings at a distance of 2.5 cm from each other. If you want to collect the most delicious young leaves, you can plant everything very tightly. Do not allow the soil to dry out and water throughout the season. Harvest your greens regularly to prevent them from overgrowing.
Perennial flowers and shrubs that produce fruit with a minimum of care - these plantings will delight you for a long time and give you harvest after harvest.
Lagom is not about hedonism or the ability to make the most of any situation. By cultivating a garden, we get real results, and it can please us precisely when it seems that life has turned into a routine and has lost its meaning.
During a difficult period in my life, having lost my balance and the ground under my feet, I bought a share in a common garden. It was the best I could do at that moment. One simple decision enriched my life a hundredfold, preventing the depletion of my internal resource. I could be in peace in the garden, without being tormented by remorse for not doing anything useful. At the same time, there were other gardeners next to me, caring for their plots. We worked side by side, we could even talk, but the very thought that we had gathered in the garden for a specific purpose gave us deep peace.
Now I understand that this small garden gave me a joy that stayed with me for a long time, and it was from here that my passion for growing food began. I didn’t want to show off my beautiful tomatoes (bragging is not at all in the spirit of lagom). I was just glad that I had a kindergarten and working in it brought balance to my chaotic life.
Calm, measured actions: preparing the soil, weeding, planting seeds, quiet conversations about how best to plant zucchini, and, of course, relaxing in the sun after manual labor– this may not seem like a very exciting pastime, but we enjoy it because there is lagom in this activity. Lagom is inextricably linked with joy, balance, moderation in everything we do. By practicing lagom, we believe that, if you take from life exactly as much as you need - not too much - there will also be enough for others to be happy.
On the wave of lagom
Lagom philosophy can be applied to family life and relationships with people. As you know, Swedes do not like conflicts and emotional outbursts: this is not lagom! Colin Moon, a communications expert from the UK who lives in Sweden, notes that “Swedes rarely say yes or no.” Instead of ja or nej, they often say nja- something in between “yes” and “no”, “yes, but maybe not.” An unambiguous answer can lead to conflict, and Swedes avoid unambiguous words, replacing them with “it all depends on...”, “perhaps,” “let’s see what can be done.” By avoiding conflict, Swedes keep everyone on the same page and hope that the other person is on the same page. If the interlocutor is Swedish, so it is.”
How to become happy with lagom
Ask yourself, “Is this enough for me?” rather than, “Could it be better?” Ask happy life, and don’t ask if you are happy. The first does not exclude the second, but if you get hung up on the concept of happiness, it will lead to disappointment.
Plant seeds, take care of them, watch them grow - this will give you joy for a long time. Try growing an unpretentious grape tomato; it can be planted both in the garden and in the apartment. French radishes grow even with the most inexperienced gardeners. And you can harvest the harvest in early spring. The easiest flower to grow is fragrant tobacco. It is undemanding and very fragrant: the buds bloom at dusk. There are several varieties.
Find time for activities that help restore inner balance. Sometimes it seems to us that we should do certain things to become happy - forget about this “obligation”! Do whatever brings you joy, whether it's baking, decorating your home, or taking regular walks outdoors.
Get involved in charity or volunteer work. For example, you can help organize a tea party for lonely pensioners and bake homemade cookies for them.
Lagom and free time
A REASONABLE BALANCE BETWEEN WORK AND REST AND TIME FOR QUIET LEISURE is the path to joy and harmony.
Break: Why is it important?
Let's imagine a typical working day in Sweden.
You have been sitting at work for an hour and a half. You managed to look through your email, do some work, look out the window, do some more work... and then Anders taps you on the shoulder and says: “Time fika! You look at your watch - maybe it’s time for lunch? - but it’s only 10 am, and you haven’t yet answered Berit from the accounting department why you didn’t submit the reports on time.
But fika is sacred, so you get up, go to the fika room (yes, many offices have a separate room for this) and sit next to your colleagues. Drink one cup of coffee, then peter.(This is the name of the second cup. There is a special word for the third cup of coffee in the morning - guess what? Trether. Tre means “three.”) You can also eat a sandwich if you are already hungry (after all, you had breakfast very early in order to get to work by 8:30).
After about twenty minutes you return to workplace and continue working until 12:30 - lunch time. You go to lunch with colleagues; Solveig, the receptionist, is here with you. She turns on the answering machine: the office is closed for lunch. Anyone calling during this time will have to call back.
Fika– this is both a break and communication.
An hour later, having had a proper snack and rest, you have time to redo a bunch of things, and at 15:00 it’s time again fika. You can sit down and chat with colleagues about anything except work. It's still not enough to talk about work during the fic!
No, you discuss the best ways to control garden slugs and the deals on butter at the local supermarket, but not work, because it's a break. And conversations about work are conducted only in working hours. Fika is sacred. At 4:52 p.m. you realize that you still haven’t responded to Berit from accounting, so you send her a message, and at 4:58 p.m. you turn off your computer and go home. Your colleagues are doing the same thing, every single one of them.
Who wouldn't want to have a work routine like that? When my friend from England Tim worked in Sweden, this is exactly what awaited him - endless coffee and tea breaks with colleagues. Naturally, not all Swedish companies adhere to such a schedule. Sometimes employees drink coffee on the go and have a snack at the computer. But for most Swedes, the scenario described above is common. Fika time has become the talk of the town: this is the name for any break and opportunity to relax, to step away for a moment from the chaos and bustle of the world.
For those learning Swedish, the first thing you should do is learn the word tack(thank you and please), then hej(hello), and thirdly - fika. A coffee break with sweets is something we Swedes do every day, even several times a day. We do fika with friends, family and colleagues. If someone suggests meeting for fika, you immediately know what they're talking about: it's the perfect lagom date. It won’t take up too much of your time, but it will be long enough for you to have time to discuss everything that has accumulated, from family events to problems at work. And if you don’t have time to talk about everything, there will be a reason to meet again at fika.
Fika does not involve any complex rituals. Apart from coffee and cookies – homemade or store-bought – you won’t need anything. Most Swedish dishes are prepared using the lagom principle - the recipes are not too complicated, but not too simple, the ingredients are mixed in one large bowl using measuring spoons. We take out kitchen scales when the weight of the product is difficult to determine by eye (for berries, for example), and in other cases we use the method ögonmått- “by eye”.
TRY...
APPLE PIE WITH CARDAMOM
When I was little, there were apple trees in our garden, and my parents stored the apples all winter, wrapped in newspapers. My father Arne was good at grafting, and our apple trees had different varieties of apples. My mom Brita often bakes this apple pie, one of my favorite apple recipes. The combination of cardamom, sour apples and sweet dough is divine. Mom says she read this recipe in the newspaper in the 1980s, but already considers it her signature.
Elisabeth Carlsson
THE LAGOM LIFE: A SWEDISH WAY OF LIVING
First published in the United Kingdom IN 2017 under the title The Lagom Life: A Swedish Way of Living by CICO Books, an imprint of Ryland Peters & Small Limited 20–21 Jockey’s Fields London WC1R 4BW
© Zmeeva Yu., translation into Russian, 2017
© Design. LLC Publishing House E, 2017
* * *
What is Lagom philosophy?
Why is the philosophy of lagom becoming more relevant every day?
What is the secret to life satisfaction?
Why doesn't "positive psychology" work?
Why is it good not when there is a lot, but when there is enough?
Why do Swedes avoid saying “yes” and “no”?
How to work in Swedish?
How to please yourself and your loved ones: treats in the spirit of lagom?
How to find a balance between work and personal life?
How to spend the weekend in accordance with the lag?
How to cook food according to lagom principles?
Why are breaks necessary?
How to bring lagom into your home?
How to do lagom fitness?
How does lagom affect appearance?
How to take care of your health in the spirit of Lagom?
How to get in touch with nature while living in the city?
How to find balance and harmony?
Introduction
Lagom is a simple, practical life with respect for others. Growing up in Sweden, lagom was part of our daily life. Then I didn’t think about what it was.
The essence lagom in balance. My mother prepared dinner according to this principle. And she spoke about the temperature in the lake as “lagom”, that is, “warm enough” (although then it seemed to me that the water was too cold). Lagom also means living in accordance with the norms of society - the teenager sees this as a limitation of his freedom. Now I understand, I had a difficult relationship with lag, and probably most Swedes can say the same, although they are not always ready to admit it out loud.
At 19, I rebelled against lagom and moved to Madrid, where life was completely different. After Sweden, the sounds of Madrid were deafening, people here were open, did not hesitate to express their opinions and did not try to hide their emotions.
I liked this difference of cultures, but no matter where I ended up: in Spain, and later in other places, the philosophy of lagom remained with me. Swedes living abroad are united by a tacit and confident knowledge of how to live “correctly.” Correct means in accordance with the lag.
Even if we Swedes move abroad to escape lagom, from a distance it begins to seem like the optimal way of life. Far from home, we want to live in accordance with the lag, as we understand it: not to stick our neck out and not try to grab too much of a piece, but to rejoice when everything goes well, to be happy for ourselves and those around us, and to understand that there is nothing wrong with to be different from others, because we are all parts of an interconnected whole.
As I grew older, I realized that lagom is the key to balance and harmony in life. Lagom largely defines my personality, beliefs, choices and explains why I rebelled against it in my homeland and why I adopted it when I was abroad. The lagom of my childhood did not suit me. As I grew up, I found my balance, my sense of lagom, which I value and apply in life. Lagom does not mean a boring, safe life. Even with a lag, you can take risks, but it will be a completely different risk!
The Lagom philosophy that guides me today is one of acceptance, joy and love.
It respects differences between people and is open to everyone. This philosophy supports a person and teaches him to see new possibilities. And it applies to every aspect of life.
Chapter I
Lagom - what does it mean?
LAGOM is a feeling of prosperity. You have enough of everything, and you do not experience a shortage of anything.
Lifestyle
Initially, lagom was a purely Scandinavian concept, but recently this philosophy has spread beyond Sweden and become fashionable (which is quite surprising to us Swedes).
The new, “international” concept of lagom means “not too much, not too little – just enough.” This has nothing to do with savings and restrictions. If you want to learn Swedish and understand our culture, try to understand what lagom is.
First, let's find out how to pronounce this word correctly. Swedish has a sound between A And O– it is he who is stressed in the word log. It's a long sound ( la-a-ogom). Try to pronounce it correctly!
The word itself arose between the 8th and 11th centuries, when we Swedes wore funny helmets with cow horns and called ourselves Vikings. According to legend, the Vikings passed it around in a circle (“in a circle” in Swedish) laget om) a horn filled with mead, and everyone took a small sip so that there was enough for everyone. This is how the word appeared lagom. There is another theory: that the word comes from Swedish lag- law. But I like the Viking story better.
Useful word or something else?
Lagom is not only a useful word in Swedish; this concept largely explains the behavior of the Swedes.
Lagom can be applied to everything: the serving of ice cream and the size of the house, the spiciness of the sauce, the amount of drink on Friday (I'm not kidding). At the same time Lagom means not only quantity, but also quality . “Just enough” is a philosophy of moderation based on a sense of balance and caring for others.
Ben, an Englishman living in Sweden, admits that he never understood why Swedes attach lagom so much meaning. There is no such word in English, but the philosophy of lagom was not invented by the Swedes. They just have the right word for it. Lagom means “exactly as much as needed” - imprecise, but suitable quantity. For example, at the table they ask: how much sauce do you need? And you answer: "Mehhh, lagom tack". And they give you as much as you need.
Lagom - advice: Swedes know what happiness is, largely thanks to lagom - the ability to find a balance between “too little” and “too much”.
Lagom - a concept from the past?
If you look at various forums for Swedes abroad, it becomes clear that even when we don't live in Sweden and don't speak Swedish every day, we still use the word lagom a lot.
But can we expect to be understood when using this word in a certain context?
Understanding lagom depends on the generation. For Swedes born after the Swedish group Ace of Base became popular, that is, after 1992, the concept lagom has a completely different meaning than for the older generation. Critics of lagom often say that this word means leveling and lagom stands in the throat of anyone who wants to take a step to the left or to the right.
In Sweden there is a popular brand of one and a half percent milk - Mellanmjölk, milk in green cartons whose design has not changed since the 1980s. This milk is not too fat and not too skim - enough fatty, that is, lagom. Mellanmjölk– this is what stand-up comedian Jonas Gardell, who became popular in the 1990s, called his tour. His bright personality was not to the taste of many; By Swedish standards, Gardell was by no means a lag. However, his enormous popularity testifies: many really felt the pressure of equalization in all spheres of life and therefore saw themselves in this “unlike” person.
Does this mean that lagom is outdated and has a place in another time and in another Sweden, where the population was more homogeneous and people were more closed? In the era of globalization, people's behavior is also changing. What if the old concepts no longer fit into our culture? So they should develop together with society.
Lagom in a new way
It seems to me that in our time the concept of “lagom” is being rethought.
In a world teetering on the brink of disaster (according to the news), where the gap between rich and poor is growing every day, the philosophy of balance, collective thinking and smart consumption seems much more attractive than instability, individualism and greed. Of course, living by Lagom principles will not help stop global warming and hunger, but shouldn't each of us do what we can to improve the world we live in?
Lagom is a philosophy that everyone can learn for their own good and the good of our planet.
Imagine consciously taking less from the world around you by recycling resources or using electricity sparingly. You don't take more than you need. Even if the lagom fad fades, the ethics behind the concept can be very beneficial for us and for future generations.
Chapter II
Lagom and happiness
“The best thing to do is to have as much as you need,” says a Swedish proverb.
Happiness in Scandinavian style
Sweden often ranks among the top 10 happiest countries in the famous World Happiness Ranking Survey, which the UN conducts every year.
Not only Sweden, but all Scandinavian countries usually find themselves at the top of this ranking. Why is this happening?
Sweden is often presented as an exemplary model of a state where everything gets done Right. It is a country of gender equality, high levels of social security and quality of life. Thanks to all this, the residents are happy. Although Swedish society has changed a lot over the past ten years - as has life around the world - Sweden is still a country where everything gets done for people. People come first - this is what the Lagom philosophy teaches. A balance between work and free time, which can be devoted to your loved ones and society, is important.
But to become happier and enjoy life by practicing lagom, you don’t have to live in Sweden. Lagom is more a philosophy than a way of life.
It's a general approach to life that says everyone gets a piece of the pie the same size as everyone else, not too big and not too small.
The golden mean in Swedish is when everything is available in the right quantity.
As much as needed
It turns out that our brain also doesn’t like it when something is missing.
The cerebral cortex, responsible for planning, complex decisions and multitasking, functions optimally in the “middle”: excessive relaxation and excessive stress interfere with its effectiveness. Amy Ernsten, a professor of neurobiology and psychology at Yale University, says this. To achieve the best performance, balance is necessary.
But according to a 2016 study conducted by scientists from Hong Kong and Bulgaria, happiness may be determined genetically. Perhaps it's all in your DNA! Scientists have found that in countries where a certain gene predominates in the population, there is a higher happiness rating.
We are talking about a gene responsible for sensory pleasure and pain reduction - it is this gene that probably explains the difference between the level of happiness in different European countries. Residents of Northern Europe, especially Sweden, have high levels of activity of this gene, and these countries occupy the top lines of the happiness rating. At the same time, scientists note that the level of happiness is influenced not only by genetics. A stable economic and political situation in society is also important.
But enough about DNA. Of course, happiness doesn't depend on whether you have Scandinavian genes. The level of happiness is easily explained by the Lag philosophy: happiness is a life in which there is enough of everything, not too much and not too little, and the current state of things is quite satisfactory.
Many Swedes live with the confidence that the state will take care of them from cradle to grave. The reassurance that they will not have to struggle to survive promotes inner peace. Swedes have time to devote themselves to activities that are important to them and add value to their lives. When life is full of meaning, you feel its value and realize your purpose, and this is happiness. Live by lag, and you will soon agree that life, in general, is not bad. Of course, it could be better, but what you have now is quite enough.
When I come to Sweden, I am always struck by the aura of calm satisfaction emanating from the Swedes. They seem to know some secret, live the way they want, and are sure that they do everything Right. I often reluctantly admit that there is simply no better way to organize things in a closet than the Swedes came up with.
The confidence that you are doing everything right fills a person with inner peace.
Lagom and life satisfaction
If we live according to the principles of lagom, we are happy with life. Often we strive for happiness, imagining it as a distant goal, and this makes us unhappy.
In 1998, Martin Seligman, appointed president of the American Psychological Association, gave the inaugural speech that marked the beginning of positive psychology. Happiness could now be measured, accounted for, and controlled through a variety of research techniques.
Suddenly happiness became goods, which can be packaged and sold profitably. Self-proclaimed gurus and positive psychology experts have inundated us with books on “How to Be Happy.” Books, lectures, exercises, techniques - all this taught us to be happy and emphasized that happiness does not depend on specific circumstances, and the emotional state can be controlled and changed using various techniques.
But it turned out that an active search for happiness makes a person unhappy. The harder we try to be happy, the less happy we are in reality. If we have a pre-formed idea of how we should feel when something good happens in life, and then the proper level of euphoria is not felt, this good event will not cause joy, but disappointment.
Scientists from the University of California, Berkeley, examined diary entries made by their subjects over a two-week period. Scientists found that people who prioritized happiness felt more lonely in their daily lives than those who didn't. We come to a deeper and more sustainable sense of well-being not by trying to find happiness, but by striving to find meaning in life in every moment.
Joy and meaningfulness of existence are concepts that are considered in philosophy to be two facets of happiness.
In The Power of Meaning, Emily Esfhani Smith explores the writings of great thinkers and writers (Aristotle, Leo Tolstoy, and others) and the latest scientific advances in the search for meaning in life. She concludes that meaningfulness is only possible when you live in close contact with others and share with them. In the family or at work, in volunteer activities, religion and other activities - this can be expressed in any area.
I remember when I gave birth to my first son, Alwar, I was so relieved that I no longer had to worry every minute about my selfish goals and well-being. When I had someone to feed and raise, I felt true satisfaction. As cliché as it may sound, I began to appreciate small joys. All my actions made sense.
Lagom is the principle on which Swedish life is based; this concept is closely woven into our culture and is acquired unconsciously. It may be difficult for an outsider to understand that lagom permeates everything we do and produces a feeling of contentment and balance - a constant positive outlook on life that is natural.
More is not better, and when you apply lagom to different situations, you will realize that this is true. The feeling that you have everything quite enough, no more and no less than necessary, gives happiness for a long time. Just remember that everyone has a different idea of “enough.”
What is Lagom philosophy?
Why is the philosophy of lagom becoming more relevant every day?
What is the secret to life satisfaction?
Why doesn't "positive psychology" work?
Why is it good not when there is a lot, but when there is enough?
Why do Swedes avoid saying “yes” and “no”?
How to work in Swedish?
How to please yourself and your loved ones: treats in the spirit of lagom?
How to find a balance between work and personal life?
How to spend the weekend in accordance with the lag?
How to cook food according to lagom principles?
Why are breaks necessary?
How to bring lagom into your home?
How to do lagom fitness?
How does lagom affect appearance?
How to take care of your health in the spirit of Lagom?
How to get in touch with nature while living in the city?
How to find balance and harmony?
Introduction
...Lagom is a simple, practical life with respect for others. Growing up in Sweden, lagom was part of our daily life. Then I didn’t think about what it was.
The essence lagom in balance. My mother prepared dinner according to this principle. And she spoke about the temperature in the lake as “lagom”, that is, “warm enough” (although then it seemed to me that the water was too cold). Lagom also means living in accordance with the norms of society - the teenager sees this as a limitation of his freedom. Now I understand, I had a difficult relationship with lag, and probably most Swedes can say the same, although they are not always ready to admit it out loud.
At 19, I rebelled against lagom and moved to Madrid, where life was completely different. After Sweden, the sounds of Madrid were deafening, people here were open, did not hesitate to express their opinions and did not try to hide their emotions.
I liked this difference of cultures, but no matter where I ended up: in Spain, and subsequently in other places, the philosophy of lagom remained with me. Swedes living abroad are united by a tacit and confident knowledge of how to live “correctly.” Correct - that means in accordance with the lag.
Even if we Swedes move abroad to escape lagom, from a distance it begins to seem like the optimal way of life. Far from home, we want to live in accordance with the lag, as we understand it: not to stick our neck out and not try to grab too much of a piece, but to rejoice when everything goes well, to be happy for ourselves and those around us, and to understand that there is nothing wrong with to be different from others, because we are all parts of an interconnected whole.
As I grew older, I realized that lagom is the key to balance and harmony in life. Lagom largely defines my personality, beliefs, choices and explains why I rebelled against it in my homeland and why I adopted it when I was abroad. The lagom of my childhood did not suit me. As I grew up, I found my balance, my sense of lagom, which I value and apply in life. Lagom does not mean a boring, safe life. Even with a lag, you can take risks, but it will be a completely different risk!
...The Lagom philosophy that guides me today is one of acceptance, joy and love.
It respects differences between people and is open to everyone. This philosophy supports a person and teaches him to see new possibilities. And it applies to every aspect of life.
Lagom - what does it mean?
...LAGOM is a feeling of prosperity. You have enough of everything, and you do not lack anything.
Lifestyle
...Initially, lagom was a purely Scandinavian concept, but recently this philosophy has spread beyond Sweden and become fashionable (which is quite surprising to us Swedes).
The new, “international” concept of lagom means “not too much, not too little - just enough.” This has nothing to do with savings and restrictions. If you want to learn Swedish and understand our culture, try to understand what lagom is.
First, let's find out how to pronounce this word correctly. Swedish has a sound between A And O- it is he who is stressed in the word log. It's a long sound ( la-a-ogom). Try to pronounce it correctly!
The word itself arose between the 8th and 11th centuries, when we Swedes wore funny helmets with cow horns and called ourselves Vikings. According to legend, the Vikings passed it around in a circle (“in a circle” - in Swedish laget om) a horn filled with mead, and everyone took a small sip so that there was enough for everyone. This is how the word appeared lagom. There is another theory: that the word comes from Swedish lag- law. But I like the Viking story better.
Useful word or something else?
...Lagom is not only a useful word in Swedish; this concept largely explains the behavior of the Swedes.
Lagom can be applied to everything: the serving of ice cream and the size of the house, the spiciness of the sauce, the amount of drink on Friday (I'm not kidding). At the same time Lagom means not only quantity, but also quality . “Just enough” is a philosophy of moderation based on a sense of balance and caring for others.
Ben, an Englishman living in Sweden, admits that he never understood why Swedes attach lagom so much meaning. There is no such word in English, but the philosophy of lagom was not invented by the Swedes. They just have the right word for it. Lagom means "exactly as much as needed" - imprecise, but suitable quantity. For example, at the table they ask: how much sauce do you need? And you answer: "Mehhh, lagom tack". And they give you as much as you need.
...Lagom advice: Swedes know what happiness is, largely thanks to lagom - the ability to find a balance between “too little” and “too much”.
Lagom - a concept from the past?
...If you look at various forums for Swedes abroad, it becomes clear that even when we don't live in Sweden and don't speak Swedish every day, we still use the word lagom a lot.
But can we expect to be understood when using this word in a certain context?
Understanding lagom depends on the generation. For Swedes born after the Swedish group Ace of Base became popular, that is, after 1992, the concept lagom has a completely different meaning than for the older generation. Critics of lagom often say that this word means leveling and lagom stands in the throat of anyone who wants to take a step to the left or to the right.
In Sweden there is a popular brand of one and a half percent milk - Mellanmjölk, milk in green cartons whose design has not changed since the 1980s. This milk is not too fat and not too skim - enough fatty, that is, lagom. Mellanmjölk- this is exactly what stand-up comedian Jonas Gardell, who became popular in the 1990s, called his tour. His bright personality was not to the taste of many; By Swedish standards, Gardell was by no means a lag. However, his enormous popularity testifies: many really felt the pressure of equalization in all spheres of life and therefore saw themselves in this “unlike” person.
Does this mean that lagom is outdated and has a place in another time and in another Sweden, where the population was more homogeneous and people were more closed? In the era of globalization, people's behavior is also changing. What if the old concepts no longer fit into our culture? So they should develop together with society.
What do you need to know to live happily? Maybe you need to have some special worldview or do something special? Residents of each country have their own mentality and their own interesting ways of achieving happiness. Sweden is considered to be one of the happiest countries. For those who are interested in learning more about how people live there, Elizabeth Carlson wrote the book Lagom. Swedish secrets to a happy life."
In the book we're talking about about a special philosophy of life - lagom, which most Swedes follow. They know how to live calmly, but at the same time manage to complete important tasks. The book contains a lot of advice on different topics. For example, it talks about home improvement, storing things, the importance of order and the absence of trash. There are important points regarding work and time spent with family. The topic of relaxation is also given attention, this should not be forgotten. The author talks about how people in Sweden view sports and active recreation.
These tips will help you manage your time wisely, avoiding stress. One of the most important rules of lagom is that there must be balance in everything. You need to be able to work, but it is also important to be able to rest. The most necessary things are enough for happiness. The book will also delight you with pleasant pictures that create a special atmosphere of comfort and warmth.
The work belongs to the Self-Improvement genre. It was published in 2017 by Eksmo Publishing House. The book is part of the series "Hygge. Cozy books about happiness." On our website you can download the book "Lagom. Swedish secrets of a happy life" in fb2, rtf, epub, pdf, txt format or read online. The book's rating is 3 out of 5. Here, before reading, you can also turn to reviews from readers who are already familiar with the book and find out their opinion. In our partner's online store you can buy and read the book in paper version.
