What are the keys to happiness? According to lagom, the new philosophy of life that triumphs in Sweden, balance and moderation. Lagom is often described as “not too small, not too much, just right”, but lagom is much more complex than that simple definition. Lagom aims to reduce stress in our lives. “Some cultures prioritize fighting stress so they can be more productive; others fight stress, while trying to be productive. There are those who try to camouflage it, and finally, those who seek to relieve stress. Having too much or too little causes stress, therefore what lagom tries to find the balance between both with the best solution: reduce the excess”, explains Lola A. Akerström, author of the book Lagom (Ediciones Urano).
We have spoken with her so that she can give us the keys to this philosophy of life that some define as “the Swedish secret of the good life ” and to be able to incorporate it into our day to day: from our work environment, through our personal relationships to arriving to aspects such as fashion, beauty or the decoration of our home.
Can we all incorporate the lagom philosophy into our lives?
Anyone can incorporate aspects of lagom into their lives, but to do so they must first identify the sources of stress, get them under control and actively try to reduce that very negative feeling. For example, getting rid of things, finding a balance between work and personal life, seeking trust in relationships or promoting harmonious situations in society.
What is the first thing we have to do to apply the lagom philosophy in our work?
Working too much is antithetical to lagom, so a very quick way to apply lagom at work is to start taking regular breaks. In Sweden, it’s called fika, and it consists of taking a break with a coffee and, why not, having a sweet and pleasant time with your colleagues. This moment will help you balance your day so that you are not working too hard. In addition, the following question should be asked daily: “Do I really need to work overtime today?” If the answer is no, then don’t do it.
How can lagom change our emotions and our outlook on life?
The lagom mindset says that your needs are extremely important and that you should do everything possible to meet them. He also wants you to accept your emotional needs, because they will bring you closer to satisfaction. If you need a day off because you’re having a hard time, lagom says to take as much as you need. This will start to change your point of view because you already start to feel happiness and peace in your life, even before pursuing your desires and dreams.
Can we apply lagom to our house? Understanding home, as the place where we live, eat and where our family is.
When it comes to the home, what lagom proposes is to get rid of things that are not functional or that do not have great emotional value because all it is doing is taking up space in the house and adding the additional stress of cleaning and maintaining something that you do not need. . Same with food. Lagom seeks to simplify habits in order to have good eating guidelines that make us feel good.
Why lagom can make us happier?
I believe that lagom can make us happier if we find out what really works for us and our own individual balance instead of looking at or comparing ourselves to others. The goal is to be happy with less consumption, as we continue to pursue our dreams and personal goals in life.
