CHAPTERS AND TEACUPS

Truth doesn't have to be black or white, but with lagom we can avoid extremism.

Lagom is a Swedish word derived from the Viking term Laget Om which literally means "around the team" where they pass around a horm of mead ensuring that there is enough for everyone. It has no English translation but it relatively means "not to litte, not too much".  In English the word lagom simply describes "just enough" or "just right".

"Not too little, not to much, just right."

Lagom can be anything like being invited to a party but bringing something to add to the food or washing the dishes after because you don't want to abuse your host's hospitality to buying a practical car even if it is not the most attractive of vehicles, its wearing that bright red lipstick and leaving the rest of your makeup minimal, its being part of a greater entity, belonginess and sharing responsibility. It is the ethos of balance of using just enough resources and perfectly balancing your time between work and spending time with your family. Accordingly, the law of lagom or aiming for "just enough" at all times has social, psychological and emotional benefits. If there is balance a majority of people will enjoy a great quality of life. It also adds that a lagom way of being in touch with our feelings is linked to good mental health. To find the right emotional balance is in fact the major goal of mental health therapies. So with the notion of "good enough" we can avoid burn out and exhaustion bring about by too much ambition, too much work, too much stress which leads to poor mental health or mental illness. Lagom aims for "non-judgemental awareness of of the present moment" or mindfulness.

By living lagom we can ◆ reduce our environmental impact ◆ improve our work-life balance ◆ free your home from clutter  ◆ become a more conscious consumer ◆ cherish the relationship with those you love ◆ enjoy good food (the swedish way or your way) ◆ grow your own food and learn to forage ◆ enjoy health and exercise in nature ◆ live a happier and more balanced life.

Well, I can't help but adore this book although there are still some points that I needed to process.However, what I love about it is it offers practical solutions to achieve a balance lifestyle towards sustainable happiness. This book gives us a glimpse to the Swedish culture which I should say is an antithesis to a chaotic, complicated, competitive lives we are constantly prodded. It could either be too much stress or too much stress. But with lagom moderation is a virtue because waste is a mortal sin. Well I am sure the Swedes will say they aren't that perfect (assuming they'll say that) but they have found a way to embrace that balance which allows them a latitude for change and develoment. This book talks about the way the Swedish culture finds Lagom in design, fashion, food, health and well being, in their society, their environment and sustainable living. This book is an honest approach to happiness indeed. 

                                  " Happiness in a sustainable sense is not about extremes."

Although this book may seem a little too good to be true, in my perspective at least, this book is cover to cover a breath of fresh air. Definitely a must read. The prose is easy to follow and it comes with beautiful picture illustrations and the cover is a plus factor gorgeous. I give this book five stars out of five. So there's my thought on this book. Till next time. Babye!