The Swedish Secret To A Happy Life

“He who buys what he does not need steals from himself.” — Swedish Proverb

Are you living a life of moderation or extremes?

According to an old Swedish proverb, “Lagom är bäst” or “enough is as good as a feast.” Moderation is a virtue. Perhaps this is why Sweden is ranked as one of the world’s happiest places.

Lagom is pronounced “LAH-gum,” meaning “just the right amount” or “not too little, not too much.” It is a life of moderation and balance.

The moderation mindset of lagom is similar to Buddhist minimalist concepts. You pursue the essence of what life brings, not appearances. The focus lies not in acquiring more but in appreciating what you already have.

Lagom at home: Look around your home. Is everything in its place? Does everything have a purpose? “Have nothing in your homes that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” [William Morris]

Lagom with money: Precious seconds of your life are traded for money. Do you spend it wisely? “Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.” [Will Rogers]

Lagom with food: The best food is often made with the simplest ingredients. There is no need to dress it up. It already tastes great. Assembling a meal from fresh ingredients with your own hands and sharing it with people you love is lagom.

Lagom with friends: Great friendships are not built on appearances. They are rooted in simple concepts like openness, kindness and being yourself. A friend is someone you are at ease with. There is a balance to what is given and taken.

Adopting the lagom mindset means slowing down, being yourself, decluttering your life and savoring simple pleasures.

🤔 Food for Thought:

Are there things in your home that have no use or beauty? Home should be full of useful, beautiful things.

Are any of your friendships built on appearances? Are any of them one-sided? Declutter your relationships and seek balance.

Are you keeping up with the Joneses? They are stressed out and barely hanging on.

⚙️ One Small Step:

Choose one thing in your home that has no use or place. Remove it. Donate it to someone who can find a use for it, or sell it and reinvest the money into something meaningful. With each such item you remove, the warm glow of your home increases, as does your quality of life.