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Scandinavian concepts of contentment
Declan Wilson wrote an intriguing article about the Danish concept of Hygge, a lifestyle, a culture, or even a way to live. It’s not just the Danish that embrace a more relaxed, less stressful way of life. The Swedes do too.
Sweden is quite far north. The northern part of the country is in the arctic circle and is in perpetual darkness during the winter months, as well as being in perpetual light during the height of summer. It’s also a place where you can see the Northern lights or Aurora Borealis. I’ve only seen it on a small screen, but even that is spectacular. Even the south of the country has nearly 4 months of winter snows, and spring doesn’t come until May.
Perhaps this is why the Swedes have the concept of Lagom. It means ‘just the right amount’, ‘enough is as good as a feast’, or even ‘there is virtue in moderation’. I have been reading ‘a year in Kronoberg’ by Geoff Bunn. Kronoberg is in southern Sweden. It’s the story of a British couple who chose to move there, partly because property is much cheaper than in the UK, so they could get more house for their money. And partly, they wanted to escape the ‘rat race’ and live in a place of natural beauty.
It’s clear that Swedes spend many winter months inside their homes while snow, ice, and freezing temperatures last for a long time outside. What do they do with so much…
