Elizabeth Karlsson “Lagom. Swedish Secrets of a Happy Life "- Review - The Psychology of Effective Life - online magazine. Easy Reading: "Lagom. Swedish Secrets of a Happy Life" Lagom Swedish Secrets of a Happy Life read online
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 Y., translation into Russian, 2017
© Design. LLC "Publishing house" E ", 2017
* * *
What is lagom philosophy?
Why is the philosophy of lagom more and more relevant every day?
What's the secret to life satisfaction?
Why doesn't "positive psychology" work?
Why is it good not when a lot, but when it 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 your weekend according to lag?
How to cook food according to lagom principles?
Why are breaks necessary?
How to bring lagom to the house?
How to do lagom fitness?
How does lagom affect the appearance?
How to take care of 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 lag was a part of our daily life. Then I did not think what it is.
The essence lag in balance. In accordance with this principle, my mother prepared dinner. And about the temperature in the lake, she said "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 - a teenager sees this as a limitation of his freedom. Now I understand that I had a difficult relationship with the 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 cultural difference, but wherever I find myself: in Spain, and later in other places, the lagom philosophy remained with me. Swedes living abroad are united by a tacit and confident knowledge of how to live “right”. Correctly means in accordance with the lag.
Even if we Swedes move abroad to escape from lagom, from a distance it starts to seem like the optimal way of life. Away from home, we want to live in accordance with the lag, as we understand it: not sticking out and not trying to grab too large a piece, but to rejoice when everything is going well, to be happy for ourselves and those around us and understand that there is nothing wrong with to be different from others, because we are all part of an interconnected whole.
With age, I realized that lagom - the key to balance and harmony in life... Lagom largely determines my personality, beliefs, choices and explains why I rebelled against him in my homeland and why I adopted him when I was abroad. The lag of my childhood did not suit me. Having matured, I found my balance, my feeling of lagom, which I value and apply in life. Lagom doesn't mean a boring, safe life. Even with a lag, you can take risks, only it will be a completely different risk!
The lagom philosophy that I am guided by today is based on acceptance, joy and love.
She takes into account the differences between people and is open to everyone. This philosophy supports a person, teaches him to see new opportunities. And it applies to every aspect of life.
Chapter I
Lagom - what does it mean?
LAGOM is a feeling of wealth. Everything is enough for you, and you do not feel deficit in anything.
Lifestyle
Initially, lag was a purely Scandinavian concept, but recently this philosophy has spread beyond Sweden and has become fashionable (which surprises us Swedes).
The new, "international" concept of lagom means "not too much, not too little - enough." This has nothing to do with savings and limitations. 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 in between a and O- it is he who is stressed in the word lag... This is a long sound ( la-a-ogom). Try to pronounce it correctly!
The word itself originated 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 in a circle ("in a circle" - in Swedish laget ohm) a horn filled with mead, and each took a sip to make it enough for everyone. This is how the word appeared lag... There is another theory: that the word comes from Swedish lag- law. But I like the story of the Vikings better.
A useful word or something else?
Lagom is not only a useful word in the Swedish language; this concept largely explains the behavior of the Swedes.
Lagom can be applied to anything: ice cream portions and house size, the sharpness of the sauce, the amount you drink on Friday (I'm not kidding). Wherein lagom means not only quantity, but also quality ... “Just as much as you need” is a philosophy of moderation based on a sense of balance and concern for others.
Ben, an Englishman living in Sweden, admits that he never understood why the Swedes give lag so much meaning. There is no such word in English, but the lagom philosophy was not invented by the Swedes. They just have the right word for her. Lagom means "just as much as needed" - imprecise, but appropriate number. 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 due to lag - the ability to find a balance between "too little" and "too much".
Lagom - a concept from the past?
If you look at the various forums of Swedes abroad, it becomes clear: even when we do not live in Sweden and do not speak Swedish every day, we still often use the word lagom.
But can we expect to be understood by using this word in a certain context?
Understanding lag depends on the generation. For Swedes born after a Swedish group Ace of Base became popular, that is, after 1992, the concept lag has a completely different meaning than for the older generation. Critics of lagom often say that this word stands for leveling and lagom gets up in the throat of anyone who wants to take a step left or right.
There is a popular brand of 1.5% milk in Sweden - Mellanmjölk, milk in green bags, the design of which has not changed since the 1980s. This milk is not too fat and not too fat-free - enough bold, that is, lagom. Mellanmjölk- this is how the 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 immense 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 its place in another time and in another Sweden, where the population was more homogeneous, and the people were more closed? In the era of globalization, human behavior is also changing. What if 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 (if the news is to be believed), where the gap between rich and poor grows every day, the philosophy of balance, collective thinking, and smart consumption seems far more appealing than instability, individualism, and greed. Of course, living according to lag principles will not help stop global warming and hunger, but shouldn't each of us do our best to improve the world in which we live?
Lagom is a philosophy that everyone can learn for their own good and the good of our planet.
Imagine that you consciously begin to take less from the world around you, recycling resources or using electricity sparingly. You don't take more than you need to. Even if the lagom fashion goes away, the ethics underlying this concept can be very useful both for us and for future generations.
Chapter II
Lagom and happiness
“IT'S BEST TO HAVE AS MUCH AS YOU NEED TO HAVE,” says a Swedish proverb.
Scandinavian happiness
Sweden is often ranked in 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 are usually at the top of this ranking. Why is this happening?
Sweden is often portrayed as an exemplary state where everything is done right... It is a country of gender equality, a high level of social security and quality of life. Thanks to all this, the inhabitants are happy. Although Swedish society has changed a lot over the past ten years - just like life around the world - Sweden is still a country where everything is done. for people... People first of all - this is what lagom philosophy teaches. A balance between work and free time is important, which can be given to those close to you and the community.
But you don't have to live in Sweden to become happier and enjoy life by practicing lagom. Lagom Is more of a philosophy than a way of life.
This is a common approach to life, which says that everyone is entitled to a "piece of cake" the same size as the rest, not too large and not too small.
The sweet spot in Swedish is when everything is in the right amount.
As much as needed
It turns out that our brain also doesn't like it when something is missing.
The cerebral cortex, which is responsible for planning, complex decisions and multitasking, functions optimally in the middle: excessive relaxation and excessive stress impede its effectiveness. This is what Yale University professor of neuroscience and psychology Amy Ernsten says. Balance is needed to achieve the best performance.
But according to a 2016 study by scientists from Hong Kong and Bulgaria, happiness can be genetically determined. Perhaps it's all about your DNA! Scientists have found that in countries where a certain gene is dominant in the population, there is a higher happiness rating.
This gene is responsible for sensory pleasure and pain reduction - this gene is likely to explain the difference between the level of happiness in different European countries. The inhabitants of Northern Europe, especially Sweden, have a high level of activity of this gene, and it is these countries that occupy the top lines of the happiness rating. At the same time, scientists note that not only genetics affects the level of happiness. A stable economic and political environment 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 philosophy of lag: happiness is a life in which everything is enough, everything is not too much and not too little, and the current state of affairs is quite satisfactory.
Many Swedes live with confidence that the state will take care of them from cradle to grave. The belief that they will not have to struggle to survive promotes inner peace. Swedes have time to devote themselves to activities that matter to them and add value to their lives. When life is full of meaning, you feel its value and realize your purpose, and that is happiness. Live with a lag, and you’ll soon agree that life is not bad at all. Of course, it could have been better, but what you have now is quite enough.
When I come to Sweden, I am always amazed by the aura of calm satisfaction that comes from the Swedes. They seem to know some secret, live the way they want, and are sure that everyone is doing right... Often, I’m reluctant to admit that there is no better way to arrange things in the closet than the Swedes have come 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 lag, we are content with life. Often we strive for happiness, presenting it as a distant goal, and this makes us unhappy.
In 1998, Martin Seligman, appointed president of the American Psychological Association, gave the opening speech that marked the beginning of positive psychology. Happiness could now be measured, accounted for, and controlled using a variety of research techniques.
Suddenly happiness became commodity that can be packaged and sold profitably. Self-proclaimed gurus and positive psychologists have inundated us with books on How To Be Happy. Books, lectures, exercises, techniques - all of 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 more we try to be happy, the less happy we are in reality. If we have a pre-formed idea of what 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 the diary entries made by their charges over two weeks. Scientists found that people who prioritized achieving happiness felt more alone in their daily lives than those who did not think about it. We come to a deeper and more stable sense of well-being, not trying to find happiness, but seeking to see meaning in life at every moment.
The joy and meaningfulness of existence - these are the concepts that are considered in philosophy to be two facets of happiness.
In the book The Power of Meaning, Emily Esfhani Smith explores the works of great thinkers and writers (Aristotle, Leo Tolstoy and others) and the latest scientific achievements in the search for the meaning of life. She concludes that meaningfulness is possible only when you live in close contact with others and share with them. In the family or at work, in volunteering, religion and other pursuits - this can be expressed in any area.
I remember, having given birth to my first son Alvar, I experienced great relief that I no longer had to think about my selfish goals and well-being every minute. When I got someone to feed and raise, I felt real satisfaction. As trite as it may sound, I began to appreciate the little joys. All my actions made sense.
Lagom is the principle on which the life of the Swedes is based; this concept is closely intertwined with our culture and is acquired unconsciously. It can be difficult for an outsider to understand that lagom permeates everything we do and creates a sense of contentment and balance - an ongoing, positive outlook on life that is natural.
Bigger is not better, and when you apply lagom to different situations, you will understand: it really is. Feeling like you've got everything quite enough, no more and no less than necessary, gives happiness for a long time. Just remember that everyone has different ideas about “enough”.
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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 Y., translation into Russian, 2017
© Design. LLC "Publishing house" E ", 2017
* * *
What is lagom philosophy?
Why is the philosophy of lagom more and more relevant every day?
What's the secret to life satisfaction?
Why doesn't "positive psychology" work?
Why is it good not when a lot, but when it 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 your weekend according to lag?
How to cook food according to lagom principles?
Why are breaks necessary?
How to bring lagom to the house?
How to do lagom fitness?
How does lagom affect the appearance?
How to take care of 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 lag was a part of our daily life. Then I did not think what it is.
The essence lag in balance. In accordance with this principle, my mother prepared dinner. And about the temperature in the lake, she said "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 - a teenager sees this as a limitation of his freedom. Now I understand that I had a difficult relationship with the 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 cultural difference, but wherever I find myself: in Spain, and later in other places, the lagom philosophy remained with me. Swedes living abroad are united by a tacit and confident knowledge of how to live “right”. Correctly means in accordance with the lag.
Even if we Swedes move abroad to escape from lagom, from a distance it starts to seem like the optimal way of life. Away from home, we want to live in accordance with the lag, as we understand it: not sticking out and not trying to grab too large a piece, but to rejoice when everything is going well, to be happy for ourselves and those around us and understand that there is nothing wrong with to be different from others, because we are all part of an interconnected whole.
With age, I realized that lagom - the key to balance and harmony in life... Lagom largely determines my personality, beliefs, choices and explains why I rebelled against him in my homeland and why I adopted him when I was abroad. The lag of my childhood did not suit me. Having matured, I found my balance, my feeling of lagom, which I value and apply in life. Lagom doesn't mean a boring, safe life. Even with a lag, you can take risks, only it will be a completely different risk!
The lagom philosophy that I am guided by today is based on acceptance, joy and love.
She takes into account the differences between people and is open to everyone. This philosophy supports a person, teaches him to see new opportunities. And it applies to every aspect of life.
Chapter I
Lagom - what does it mean?
LAGOM is a feeling of wealth. Everything is enough for you, and you do not feel deficit in anything.
Lifestyle
Initially, lag was a purely Scandinavian concept, but recently this philosophy has spread beyond Sweden and has become fashionable (which surprises us Swedes).
The new, "international" concept of lagom means "not too much, not too little - enough." This has nothing to do with savings and limitations. 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 in between a and O- it is he who is stressed in the word lag... This is a long sound ( la-a-ogom). Try to pronounce it correctly!
The word itself originated 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 in a circle ("in a circle" - in Swedish laget ohm) a horn filled with mead, and each took a sip to make it enough for everyone. This is how the word appeared lag... There is another theory: that the word comes from Swedish lag- law. But I like the story of the Vikings better.
A useful word or something else?
Lagom is not only a useful word in the Swedish language; this concept largely explains the behavior of the Swedes.
Lagom can be applied to anything: ice cream portions and house size, the sharpness of the sauce, the amount you drink on Friday (I'm not kidding). Wherein lagom means not only quantity, but also quality ... “Just as much as you need” is a philosophy of moderation based on a sense of balance and concern for others.
Ben, an Englishman living in Sweden, admits that he never understood why the Swedes give lag so much meaning. There is no such word in English, but the lagom philosophy was not invented by the Swedes. They just have the right word for her. Lagom means "just as much as needed" - imprecise, but appropriate number. 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 due to lag - the ability to find a balance between "too little" and "too much".
Lagom - a concept from the past?
If you look at the various forums of Swedes abroad, it becomes clear: even when we do not live in Sweden and do not speak Swedish every day, we still often use the word lagom.
But can we expect to be understood by using this word in a certain context?
Understanding lag depends on the generation. For Swedes born after a Swedish group Ace of Base became popular, that is, after 1992, the concept lag has a completely different meaning than for the older generation. Critics of lagom often say that this word stands for leveling and lagom gets up in the throat of anyone who wants to take a step left or right.
There is a popular brand of 1.5% milk in Sweden - Mellanmjölk, milk in green bags, the design of which has not changed since the 1980s. This milk is not too fat and not too fat-free - enough bold, that is, lagom. Mellanmjölk- this is how the 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 immense 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 its place in another time and in another Sweden, where the population was more homogeneous, and the people were more closed? In the era of globalization, human behavior is also changing. What if 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 (if the news is to be believed), where the gap between rich and poor grows every day, the philosophy of balance, collective thinking, and smart consumption seems far more appealing than instability, individualism, and greed. Of course, living according to lag principles will not help stop global warming and hunger, but shouldn't each of us do our best to improve the world in which we live?
Lagom is a philosophy that everyone can learn for their own good and the good of our planet.
Imagine that you consciously begin to take less from the world around you, recycling resources or using electricity sparingly. You don't take more than you need to. Even if the lagom fashion goes away, the ethics underlying this concept can be very useful both for us and for future generations.
Chapter II
Lagom and happiness
“IT'S BEST TO HAVE AS MUCH AS YOU NEED TO HAVE,” says a Swedish proverb.
Scandinavian happiness
Sweden is often ranked in 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 are usually at the top of this ranking. Why is this happening?
Sweden is often portrayed as an exemplary state where everything is done right... It is a country of gender equality, a high level of social security and quality of life. Thanks to all this, the inhabitants are happy. Although Swedish society has changed a lot over the past ten years - just like life around the world - Sweden is still a country where everything is done. for people... People first of all - this is what lagom philosophy teaches. A balance between work and free time is important, which can be given to those close to you and the community.
But you don't have to live in Sweden to become happier and enjoy life by practicing lagom. Lagom Is more of a philosophy than a way of life.
This is a common approach to life, which says that everyone is entitled to a "piece of cake" the same size as the rest, not too large and not too small.
The sweet spot in Swedish is when everything is in the right amount.
As much as needed
It turns out that our brain also doesn't like it when something is missing.
The cerebral cortex, which is responsible for planning, complex decisions and multitasking, functions optimally in the middle: excessive relaxation and excessive stress impede its effectiveness. This is what Yale University professor of neuroscience and psychology Amy Ernsten says. Balance is needed to achieve the best performance.
But according to a 2016 study by scientists from Hong Kong and Bulgaria, happiness can be genetically determined. Perhaps it's all about your DNA! Scientists have found that in countries where a certain gene is dominant in the population, there is a higher happiness rating.
This gene is responsible for sensory pleasure and pain reduction - this gene is likely to explain the difference between the level of happiness in different European countries. The inhabitants of Northern Europe, especially Sweden, have a high level of activity of this gene, and it is these countries that occupy the top lines of the happiness rating. At the same time, scientists note that not only genetics affects the level of happiness. A stable economic and political environment 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 philosophy of lag: happiness is a life in which everything is enough, everything is not too much and not too little, and the current state of affairs is quite satisfactory.
Many Swedes live with confidence that the state will take care of them from cradle to grave. The belief that they will not have to struggle to survive promotes inner peace. Swedes have time to devote themselves to activities that matter to them and add value to their lives. When life is full of meaning, you feel its value and realize your purpose, and that is happiness. Live with a lag, and you’ll soon agree that life is not bad at all. Of course, it could have been better, but what you have now is quite enough.
When I come to Sweden, I am always amazed by the aura of calm satisfaction that comes from the Swedes. They seem to know some secret, live the way they want, and are sure that everyone is doing right... Often, I’m reluctant to admit that there is no better way to arrange things in the closet than the Swedes have come 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 lag, we are content with life. Often we strive for happiness, presenting it as a distant goal, and this makes us unhappy.
In 1998, Martin Seligman, appointed president of the American Psychological Association, gave the opening speech that marked the beginning of positive psychology. Happiness could now be measured, accounted for, and controlled using a variety of research techniques.
Suddenly happiness became commodity that can be packaged and sold profitably. Self-proclaimed gurus and positive psychologists have inundated us with books on How To Be Happy. Books, lectures, exercises, techniques - all of 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 more we try to be happy, the less happy we are in reality. If we have a pre-formed idea of what 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 the diary entries made by their charges over two weeks. Scientists found that people who prioritized achieving happiness felt more alone in their daily lives than those who did not think about it. We come to a deeper and more stable sense of well-being, not trying to find happiness, but seeking to see meaning in life at every moment.
The joy and meaningfulness of existence - these are the concepts that are considered in philosophy to be two facets of happiness.
In the book The Power of Meaning, Emily Esfhani Smith explores the works of great thinkers and writers (Aristotle, Leo Tolstoy and others) and the latest scientific achievements in the search for the meaning of life. She concludes that meaningfulness is possible only when you live in close contact with others and share with them. In the family or at work, in volunteering, religion and other pursuits - this can be expressed in any area.
I remember, having given birth to my first son Alvar, I experienced great relief that I no longer had to think about my selfish goals and well-being every minute. When I got someone to feed and raise, I felt real satisfaction. As trite as it may sound, I began to appreciate the little joys. All my actions made sense.
Lagom is the principle on which the life of the Swedes is based; this concept is closely intertwined with our culture and is acquired unconsciously. It can be difficult for an outsider to understand that lagom permeates everything we do and creates a sense of contentment and balance - an ongoing, positive outlook on life that is natural.
Bigger is not better, and when you apply lagom to different situations, you will understand: it really is. Feeling like you've got everything quite enough, no more and no less than necessary, gives happiness for a long time. Just remember that everyone has different ideas about “enough”.
Appreciated the book
If you think about it, the main problem with reading this book rested on the fact that I was not able to read it “I urgently need to change something in my life” and without an ardent desire to introduce any additional concepts of being into my current life. Most likely it was this my "curious to poke my nose" and ruined the whole thing, although ... I am inclined to suspect a jamb also in the fact that the author originally wrote this book in the name of a great and powerful feeling called Nostalgia. And it puts it all on the pace and speech of the storytelling in the style of a psychotherapy and / or yoga session. You know, like, for example, in some film about the multiple peoples of the Universe, when a mysterious and hitherto unknown subspecies of intelligent beings walks around their world and shows uncouth paratroopers in armor dusty from the road and blood how harmony, light and goodness flourish around. Because they believe in the power of the Wind and know the value of Water. And keep peace in the Soul. The feeling was practically one-on-one, just add the ghost of being at a seminar about "how to make your life more beautiful" and "a hundred tips on how to see your happiness." Here you are, yes you are! All these years you have lived wrong! But that will change soon!
Either the author is a fine fellow, or the translator, but it was precisely this syllable of the narrative that did not immediately dispose to itself as it was read. You could worry about what our skills are to put mental barriers, but you remember that reading was originally conceived not in the name of implementation and active use. If it was all written in a slightly harsher language and more journalistically in the style of magazine articles or Wikipedia pomp, it would have gone much better, but you still remember about nostalgia and yoga (the author, by the way, is fond of yoga).
The section about the house and about walking was saved from complete collapse. Little has been said about the lagom itself and the psychology of the distant northern people, that is, about the mentality. But there are baking recipes, descriptions of how to make a wreath of nettles, how to plant herbs in a bucket and stuff like that. Tips for bringing home little things from the street, but constantly cleaning things out of the rooms. But it was not even this that struck more strongly, but the multiple indication of facts that seem to be quite obvious even to me, which, it seems to me, have little to do with the lagom as such. With all my great level of thrift, I have long known why the brain needs sweets, that it is better to sign the bags in the freezer so as not to forget the composition of the filling, that after the flowering of the grass, it does not taste very well, to put it mildly, that it is worth taking breaks from work so that do not start biting, and being in nature helps well to let go of the desire to kill people.
In the final chapters, the whole matter generally went into some kind of sublime reasoning about peace in the whole world and harmony in all ends of the Universe, if the lagom captures the soul of everyone. The only thing is that everything is good in moderation, and there are particles of this most romantic and unhurried thing in almost everyone who at least once was called the favorite word of recent generations: introvert. I go to a book club and sit there in a dark corner, periodically fall into a completely calm state, although I am terribly paranoid, I can plant plants, I often see someone over tea, I like to go with my grandmother to the forest for blueberries, but I have no home unnecessary items, because books take up all the space. And I have no factors that would affect me on the Scandinavian topic for many years. As my brother would say, keep it simple, do it playfully. I mean, the less you take a steam bath, the easier it will be. A simple common truth, which does not need all this nostalgic romance. True story, which I do not always get to grasp, and very much to the state of mind, but a couple of times it worked. That is, one must distinguish.
Total: the feeling that the author was cheating, here it is, here. Along with the suspicion that for 1/10 of the facts on the topic, a decent portion of advice on housekeeping at a certain stage of implementation was simply dumped on me. My mother, for example, clearly knows all this materiel, simply because life experience and all that, because they always instilled in my family respect for my brother and painted the beauty of large family gatherings of the clan, and the smells of baking were flying around the house for all seasons. And it is unlikely that my mother has Swedish roots, although ... The photographs are very much even in places, such about comfort and beauty, but the book did not work about comfort. Perhaps the whole point is that I did not try to cook something or decorate the house with hawthorn branches, but see above for the reasons for reading and implementing the experience in current realities. About, in fact, I want to read something else with a lag, but just at least compare this book with an analogue.
And what to hide, after reading it, and pulls to include something from Chaliapin, because the lost unreasonable Russian soul from the principle immediately makes itself felt. Antip, bring the samovar! And then we'll go to the gypsies!
Appreciated the book
Book "Lagom. Swedish Secrets to a Happy Life" small and colorful. It is dedicated to the topic lag- a Swedish word that implies a balance that suits you. Lagom is a pie where confidence, fullness and moderation are combined in the best proportions. This word could probably be called modesty, but it is difficult to include the concept of prosperity in it. Perhaps this is a matter of time.
It turned out I started following this concept before it became mainstream. In something lag echoes the principle of Japanese aesthetics wabi which is close to me. This is the same minimalism, which is for sufficiency, but not for limited resources for happiness. Just what you need. But it's also about the time for work and for yourself, which, alas, some people forget and only consider it necessary to get enough sleep. Physically they are filled with strength, but mentally they are exhausted, therefore lag including about internal non-physical resources, about the brightness of life. And, of course, it was not without my favorite headings about cluttering up space and maintaining contacts with people and teams.
The book is filled not only with an atmosphere of slowness and funny facts about the life and daily routine of the Swedes, but also with a bunch of recipes, which was somewhat redundant for me (although I shot a couple of berries). Still, it's better to just learn about the style, find a few non-standard solutions or thoughts, because the book is about the concept itself. Therefore, I am somewhat surprised even at such a volume of the book, when the chapters could simply turn into examples. Also, there was confusion about the tag "psychology" - I don't think that it is appropriate here in its pure form, since it is closer to the lifestyle, aesthetics or culture of Sweden.
Since I missed the "hygge" trend, I decided to turn my attention to the "research" of Swedish life and its fundamental concept - lag... To do this, I read the book of the same name and now I am ready to tell you about what makes a Swede happy and whether it is suitable for a Russian person. The abstract seemed interesting because the approach to life described in it is close to me.
Lagom is a Swedish philosophy and lifestyle. Lagom is a balance between work and personal life, it is moderation and respect for nature, it is concern for the environment, it is reasonable minimalism, it is a Swedish laconic style, which is so popular now. The philosophy of lagom is to focus on what's best for you, not on what's perfect.
What can I say ... It is difficult for me to evaluate this book.
On the one hand, it is beautifully designed. Thanks to the soft-touch cover (the same as that of "Sparks of Joy" from the same publisher), and even with the texture and design under a light wood, I don't want to let the book out of my hands. Her appearance is simply created for photos in a warm tube book Instagram.
Small size, color illustrations, thick paper, turquoise fringe - all attributes cozy a book that is pleasant to give and receive as a gift.
On the other hand, the content raises questions, the main one of which is why did I buy it? Along with the aforementioned coffee, there is quite a bit of water and common phrases in the book. It seemed to me very superficial, starting with the author's joke on the first pages about Vikings in helmets with horns (well, really, it's like me starting to write a book about Russia and mentioning in the introduction my tame bear Boris, who brings me a glass of vodka and felt boots, and then turns on the nuclear reactor so that I work warm). Of course, some specifics are mentioned, some features of Swedish life are shown, but there is no orderliness, research in this. No conclusions and generalizations, as in the book about Madame Chic and the French way of life. In the book by Anna Brons "Lagom. Nothing superfluous", the same information about the philosophy of lagom is set out much more logically.
Almost all of these questions can be answered with "moderation" or "moderate".
In general, the whole book by Elizabeth Carlson is a chewing on the idea of how good it is to be equal, to adhere to moderation and go to coffee breaks with colleagues - fick- several times a day.
Dilute this simple philosophy with recipes for baking, nettle soup and gardening tips.
Ask yourself, "Is that enough for me?" Rather than "Could it be better?" Ask if you are happy with life, and don’t ask if you are happy. The first does not exclude the second, but if you focus on the concept of happiness, it will lead to disappointment.
The Swedish state takes care of its people, Swedish citizens take care of their nature;
Swedes are very fond of fick during the working day, but they use the remaining working time very productively and efficiently (what is the efficiency is not said);
Recycling garbage is good, recycle, delaying after the end of the working day is bad;
Go to bed early. Get up early. It is also advisable to leave work early (here Boris and I shed tears);
The list of work tasks should be short, and on weekends it is better not to plan anything at all, but to go to the forest;
Hiking in the forest is the most normal rest. You can breathe the air and collect the gifts of nature for lunch. Everything for fick you can take it with you, then it will turn out very lag(and possibly even hygge);
If there is no forest nearby, grow flowers and edible herbs on the windowsill;
Gardening is also very lag if you do not paw up your back in the beds;
If you are not drawn to the ground at all, volunteer, join a book club or choir. Chorus is lag, everyone participates in a common cause and has the opportunity to express themselves without standing out from the team;
Food should be quick and easy to prepare, healthy and nutritious. Freeze what you didn't eat;
Sign the bags to avoid confusing chili with strawberries. Greens, cream, coconut milk can be frozen in ice cube trays. Freeze overripe brown bananas to make ice cream or smoothies. Prepare an elderberry drink and freeze it in airtight bags so it won't spoil.
Cook from local seasonal products (judging by the previous quote, coconuts and bananas grow well in Sweden through the efforts of gardeners, it's just that Chunga-Changa is somehow and happiness is constant);
To make the house cozy in Swedish, think about what things can be removed. Bring pebbles, snags and acorns to the vacant space (again, supplies in case of a crop failure of nettles and coconuts). Wherein
keep it simple. For every new thing, get rid of the two old ones.
Walk in any weather and teach your children to do the same. Choose the right clothes for this (it turns out, Dr. Komarovsky is a bit Swede!);
Subject index. I especially liked the "freedom to roam" - you can go to any land and you will not be kicked out, provided that you do not mischief there.
You can read a book about the Swedish secrets of a happy life. There are no secrets there, but reading is pleasant and unpretentious - enough for pleasure.
By heading the article, we were not cunning: the book by Elizabeth Carlson “Lagom. Swedish Secrets to a Happy Life ”is really easy reading. And very pleasant - one cover with a wood texture is worth something! Spend a few evenings with the book and find out what is hidden behind the mysterious word "lag", how to live according to this philosophy, and why it is good not when there is a lot, but when it is enough. Intrigued? Details are in our review.
The happiness of the Scandinavian countries has haunted the whole world for several years. With the Danes and theirwe sorted it out last year. Today is the turn of the Swedish lag.
The word "lagom" (read as la-a-ogom , with an emphasis on the first syllable) there is no analogue in Russian. A rough translation is “not too much, not too little - enough”. For the people of Sweden, this is the key idea: “If you want to learn Swedish and understand our culture, try to figure out what a 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 food choices to home furnishing. The Swedes are confident that if people take exactly as much as they need and do not reach for the last piece of the pie, then the world will be much better.
The main merit of Swedish philosophy is its individuality. Our needs and beliefs about the golden mean vary with age, gender, location and social circle. Therefore, everyone decides for himself when he is “enough”. Lagom teaches you to find a balance between work and rest, enjoy the moment, do your favorite things, listen to the body and sensations, be simpler and help others.
“Everyone knows 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 eternally deprived. Somewhere in the middle there is a lag. Ask yourself the question more often: “Is this right for me? is it a lag? ””
“I can say 'no' to business when the weekend is already full of plans, I can understand that I moved too little this week, and guess the moment when it's time to leave the party”
Talking about lagom, Elizabeth Carlson is happy to share her personal experiences and stories of her family, and also explains in detail the peculiarities of the mentality and describes local traditions. A nice bonus - the text is accompanied by atmospheric photographs taken by the author. The editors of the site liked the idea fika - a coffee break with sweets with friends, family or colleagues. Maybe introduce it to the office? And what, we already have school breakfasts.
On the pages of the book you will find traditional recipes: Brussels biscuits, apple pie with cardamom, blueberry soup, crumble with summer berries, elderberry drink ... Sounds and looks very appetizing. We could not resist - ran to try!
An entire chapter is devoted to home improvement on a log. Swedish interiors change depending on the season: in the dark, cold winter, residents light lanterns, candles, wrap themselves in blankets and blankets, “nest”; in the spring, the house is renovated, a general cleaning is done, and textiles are changed.
The people of Sweden tend to be minimalistic. When decorating a house according to the lag, they are looking for a balance between comfort and reasonable consumption. Preference is given to beautiful and high-quality eco-friendly things that will last a long time. The basis of the interior is made up of natural materials: wood, cork, stone, and various 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 twigs, cones, leaves, even pebbles from the local beach into the house and, together with the children, makes decorations from them. The book contains some simple instructions.
An easier way: have indoor plants or plant seedlings of your favorite salad in a pot. A great opportunity to get closer to nature, exchange cuttings with neighbors and delight yourself with fresh herbs.
Conclusion: lagom philosophy covers all spheres of life in Swedes. And to find harmony and balance, it is not necessary to go to the homeland of “IKEA” and “H&M”. “You don’t have to throw a big party to have fun — you can have a hot drink with a friend. Walking in the park and exposing your face to the sun's rays, planting flowers on the windowsill - to feel the joy of life, the simplest is enough ”- Elizabeth is sure.
“If we live according to the principles of lag, we are happy with life. Often we strive for happiness, presenting it as a distant goal, and this makes us unhappy. "
"Having said enough, we can achieve a lot."
"Your home is alive and, like all living things, obeys the law of nature and is constantly changing"
Karl Larsson
“Deep down, everyone has a lagom thermometer that tells you how to find balance.”
“Lagom requires no sacrifice. It does not require perfection either - lagom is perfection in a particular situation "
