Lagom

Not Too Little, Not Too Much: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life

By: Niki Brantmark

Narrated by: Ana Clements

Derived from the Swedish phrase Lagom är bäst, meaning ""the right amount is best; in moderation, in balance,"" langom is a deeply held philosophy closely tied to the Swedish cultural and social ideology of fairness and equality. Lagom is believed to have begun with Viking culture: at gatherings, when a bowl of mead was passed around in a circle, it was important that everyone sipped “just enough” or their “fair share” so there was enough to be enjoyed by all. Deeply ingrained in the Swedish psyche, lagom is about enjoying balance in every aspect of life—from work and leisure to family and food and everything in between. Experienced bakers know by touch when dough they’re kneading is “lagom”—not too moist and not too dry.

At the office, professionals who work hard—but not to the detriment of other aspects of their lives—are following the ideal of “lagom.” In this inviting, inspirational illustrated guide, Niki Brantmark explains lagom and explains how to incorporate it into your own lifestyle, including: Home: declutter, keep items you love; buy consciously; Work: take regular coffee breaks away from your desk, Swedish style; learn to “switch off” at home; Money: more isn’t happiness—live within your means and be thrifty without sacrificing quality; Body & Mind: exercise that fits your life and healthy habits that make you feel better (starting with more sleep); Food: enjoy that slice of cake, but remember, portions in moderation; Vacation: make the most of holidays and time off; Leisure: get out in nature—take a hike in the woods or a dip in the sea; Family: keep it simple and organized; Friendship: forms bonds that will last a lifetime; And much more.

In an interconnected world filled with goal-oriented perfectionists, Lagom reminds us to slow down, to decompress and de-stress, to be mindful of sustainability yet not deny ourselves pleasure. But lagom is not a rigid set of rules—sometimes you need more, sometimes you need less, and that's fine too! With this idea-filled guide you can learn to find greater balance, well-being, and harmony—and most importantly, make time for the things that matter most in life.

Great read!

I was surprised by how much practical knowledge was shared in this book. I’d definitely recommend.

Refreshing

This book help me reflect on what really matters in life. I will be using some of the concepts and idea to put into practice at our home.

Too simple

This is not a deep book it is just a fast read that doesn't really explains the history of Lagom.

Life Changing

This book is amazing! Whether you feel like you've been struggling and need a fresh outlook on life or feel good about life and want to know what you can do to make each day that much better, this is the book for you! Beautifully narrated by Ana Clements I couldn't wait to get into the car in the morning for my 30 minute commute to work and, of course, an inspiring and educational 30 minutes of Lagom: Not Too Little, Not Too Much. Overall this book has had a great impact on my life and I hope after you read/listen you feel the same.

Mostly common sense.

Some ideas were good. We all need reminders to rest. But there were several things that she suggests that are impractical. “Simplify your life” is a much better read with more applicable suggestions.

If you want a pretty book to make your home decor pop, this would be a great piece. But if your looking for some life altering advice, look elsewhere.