What is the lagom philosophy and how does it help Swedes be happy?
Sweden is one of the most prosperous countries in Europe. Its residents enjoy a high standard of living, stability and social protection. The secret to the success of this Scandinavian country lies in many factors, and one of them is a unique principle that the Swedes themselves call lag.
The word "lagom" can be translated as "moderation" or "sufficiency." The principle bearing this name reflects the attitude of the country's inhabitants towards life and their desire for balance in all its manifestations. Lagom covers all areas of life, from organizing the workspace to personal life and attitude towards the world around us.
This simple philosophy teaches sensible consumption and understanding when something is enough and no longer needed. At the same time, lagom does not imply restrictions on needs or desires. In everyday life, the principle helps to maintain a healthy balance between work and rest. He rejects the idea of overwork to improve efficiency and calls for adequate time for rest.
The Lagom philosophy also applies to nutrition. In Sweden, even when visiting, everyone pours their own portion of food onto their plate. Yes, you can take a lot, but it is important that it all be eaten. Leaving food on the plate is considered bad manners. Lagom encourages moderation in food and helps avoid overeating. Swedes eat just enough to satisfy their hunger, but no more.
Lagom teaches moderation in relation to natural resources. A person should treat his environment as his home and try not to harm it. Therefore, environmental issues are in one of the first places in Sweden, and the country's residents try to rationally use the resources of our planet and not pollute it.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the role of lagom in design. Swedes value simplicity, practicality and durability in interiors. Calm, light colors predominate in the design of homes and offices. The main emphasis is on functionality, but they do not forget about decorative elements.
Lagom style in interior design is all about efficient organization of storage and minimalism. Sweden loves pantries and dressing rooms, as well as closed and open shelves for storing food, household items and clothing. A clear example of the concept is IKEA stores, which offer simple and attractive furniture at a reasonable price.
Of course, it also has a negative impact on Swedish fashion. The country loves simple, comfortable, but at the same time elegant things. The classic style is very popular, which is always relevant, in contrast to current trends. Lagom also encourages buying high-quality items that last a long time, rather than buying large quantities of cheap clothes. Swedes also always dress according to the weather, without sacrificing comfort for aesthetics.