Happy New Year! It’s 2025! It’s a new year and I’m leaning into a fresh perspective. As an active mid-lifer, I’m now pursuing a balanced lifestyle. Since lockdown, I’ve learned to be more mindful about life and my surroundings. However, there are days when I feel overwhelmed and pulled in different directions; wife, mother, relauncher, and all the subsets of roles. Then, some weeks ago I came across the term ‘lagom’. I decided to look into the concept. The Swedish define Lagom as: Not too little not too much, just right. Sounds very Goldilocks doesn’t it?! If a life with balance means we notice the simple things, wouldn’t we then discover the joys of every day? Wouldn’t we then learn how to maintain balance in our lives? Are you curious? Let us explore how lagom can be applied to our lives in 2025.
What is Lagom
Firstly, lagom is pronounced (pronounced law-gohm). It is the Swedish word used to describe an amount or state that is ‘just right’. Not too much and not too little. It’s an amount so perfect that it creates a sense of harmony and serenity.
Secondly, the word is derived from Lag =law (Laguhm= according to the law). Lagom influences Swedish personal behaviour and designs concepts and communities to live in moderation for a just equal society. Hence, depending on who you speak to or what videos you watch, lagom may be perceived as more than light-hearted social mores.
I believe the author of Lagom: The Swedish Secret of Living Well, Lola A Åkerström, defines it best. She says it is a Swedish mindset that aids in stress management. Lagom is not about accepting the middle ground that some feel is mediocrity; it’s a scale of stress management mindset. Put another way, lagom is about finding the sweet spot or the optimum level of satisfaction.
Why Practice Lagom
During the COVID-19 lockdown, I learned the importance of being present in life. Going on walks with my family and talking led to a deeper understanding of myself and them. Life slowed down and I noticed the simple things from the brilliant green blades of grass along our jogging path to the changes in season while walking in the snow. I was truly appreciative every day. I even began reading magazines like Simple Things and Breathe (which I highly recommend). I’m sure I came across the term lagom in one of those magazines. Lagom takes mindful living to a deeper level.
Turing 50 with one teen and one pre-teen indoors makes me want to follow a better diet and exercise regime. Although I attend the gym, I don’t exercise outside of the gym, so I don’t exercise every day. The lock-on effect is that I’m likely to snack more. It’s time to change my habits. The exercise should be balanced with rest and consumption which will result in better stress management.
Stress and Interior Styling
Some of you will already know that we moved house during lockdown. In our forever home, I’ve tried to style with cute and practical pieces. Lagom in the home is quite similar. Pointless knik khacks and disorder makes me feel frustrated. Have you ever noticed when you declutter you feel lightier? If you want to declutter your home, lagom ‘dictates’ that you find the balance between your personality and needs. Standout Interiors usually have an impact when they reflect their inhabitants. Having a mix of functional and sentimental pieces makes a home timeless. Best of all, when we create the home we love, it’s the best sanctuary from the work-a-day world. Stress will melt away.
Last year I attended the re-edit of the French Designer, Pierre Gauriche, designs at Ligne Roset. Although Pierre’s pieces were designed and made in the 60s, their aesthetic was still contemporary. Fifty-plus years later, any of his pieces would have pride of place in any modern home or office. While not all of us can afford Ligne Roset prices, we can declutter, create light bright spaces and find our balance between beauty and function.
My aim for 2025 is to manage stress by finding the sweet spot, and balance in all things for the best quality of life. Care to join me?
Have you ever heard about ‘lagom’? Would you like to try it?
Comment below, whether or not it could work for you. May be you have other ways of managing your stress levels. Tell us in the comment box below and be sure to follow me on Instagram @xpatathome
