Today, I want to talk about something you’ve probably come across recently—it’s become a bit of a trend: Lagom. This Swedish concept, often translated as “not too much, not too little,” follows in the footsteps of the Danish Hygge. These Scandinavian lifestyle philosophies seem to be everywhere lately.

First, Hygge was all over the media, and while I was tempted to write about it, I held back—I didn’t want to add yet another article to the pile. Ironically, I was living right in the middle of it, working full-time in Copenhagen.

Now, for a few years Lagom that’s having a moment. I’ve seen it pop up in blogs, magazines, even books. And while I’ve had that same hesitation—“does the internet really need another piece on Lagom?”—this time, I’m going for it. After living in Sweden for 10 years, I feel I can offer a personal perspective that goes beyond the trend. After all, what better way to understand Lagom than by experiencing it first-hand?

So today, let’s dive into Lagom—the untranslatable Swedish word that’s more than just a word. It’s a way of life.

 

Lagom: at first, just a word

Of course, I wanted to bring you more insight—something shaped by my experience from the heart of Swedish culture. And yes… despite everything you might read, Lagom wasn’t originally a philosophy. Not really. At least, not from the inside—from the everyday perspective of Swedes themselves. Here, lagom is just a word. Simply that. A word that’s incredibly hard to translate into English because there’s no true equivalent. It means something like “neither too much, nor too little.” Just enough.

The Swedes use lagom all the time, in all sorts of everyday situations. What’s interesting is that, for them, it doesn’t mean “perfect”—not at all. It quite literally means “neither too much nor too little.” I once asked my Swedish boyfriend to explain when he’d describe something as lagom, and he said, “If you don’t think about it, it’s lagom.” In other words, if there’s nothing to notice—nothing extreme—it’s lagom.

Take the weather, for example: when it’s just comfortable, not hot, not cold, that’s lagom. Or when you serve someone a meal and ask, “Is it too salty?” and they reply, “Lagom,” it means the seasoning is just right. Nothing stands out. It’s balanced. It’s normal.

And in a way, normality is Swedish. The whole country seems to live by this quiet, understated balance. On many levels, Sweden itself feels lagom. And while Swedes may not consciously treat it as a philosophy, for the rest of us—coming from more “too much” or “not enough” cultures—lagom can feel like exactly that. A subtle, inspiring way of living.

Lagom, a Swedish philosophy that inspires

I’ve been living in Sweden for ten years now, with my Swedish husband—and it’s true, both the country and its culture have completely won me over (him too, of course! ). I feel more at peace here than I ever have before. Why? Because even though lagom might have started as just a simple word—not really a philosophy—it naturally shows up in so many aspects of daily life.

This “not too much, not too little” mindset is everywhere. There’s a balance that runs through all parts of life in Sweden—whether it’s the work/life balance, the harmony between nature and city living, or the rhythm between being active and enjoying quiet time at home. It’s woven into the culture in a way that feels effortless.

Let’s look at a few themes to illustrate what I mean.

Work-life harmony

A Swede can be a dedicated, passionate employee—but they won’t hesitate to say, even in front of colleagues or managers, that it’s just work, and that their personal life, family, and hobbies are just as important. And the best part? Managers think the same way.

There’s a deep respect for personal time here. Most people leave the office around 16:00 or even 15:30 to pick up their kids, and no one questions it. It’s not seen as slacking—it’s seen as normal. In fact, it’s seen as healthy.

Let’s go even further: in some workplaces, staying too late might actually be frowned upon. It can be perceived as a sign that you’re not managing your time efficiently during the day.

Sweden—and more broadly, Scandinavia—has figured something out that many countries still struggle with: a happy, well-balanced employee is a more productive one. When people feel trusted and have space for their personal lives, they come back to work with a clear mind, motivation, and even gratitude. Innovation thrives when people aren’t burnt out.

In Sweden, people work hard and efficiently—but never at the expense of their wellbeing.

That’s lagom in action.

Urban life meets nature

Sweden is a vast country with a relatively small population, which means much of its land remains untouched—allowing nature to thrive in all its beauty. Swedes have a deep love for nature, and luckily, it’s never far from the cities.

The biggest cities—Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö—are large but still very much on a human scale. In each of these cities, you can reach the countryside or the seaside within 20 minutes or less.

Spending time outdoors is a big part of Swedish life. They celebrate summer with flowers during Midsummer, and throughout the year, they pick mushrooms and fresh berries in the forests. Hiking and being in nature are cherished activities. This strong balance between urban life and natural surroundings perfectly embodies lagom.

The art of being active and cozy

In Sweden, it’s cold for much of the year, so it’s quite natural to create a cozy, welcoming home environment—a little cocoon where you feel comfortable and relaxed. Maybe that’s part of why Scandinavian design is so popular: it’s all about warmth, simplicity, and comfort.

Unlike in many Latin countries, street culture isn’t as dominant here. Swedes tend to eat out less often, preferring to cook and enjoy meals at home. The climate certainly plays a role, and so do prices. But what matters is that this reflects another kind of balance.

Swedes do go out, socialize, and stay active during evenings and weekends—but not too much. They also appreciate spending plenty of time at home, where it’s warm and cozy.

That’s lagom again: just the right mix of activity and rest.

Finding the sweet spot between pride and humility

A key aspect of lagom in Sweden is the delicate balance between feeling proud and staying humble. Swedes tend not to brag, but neither do they downplay their abilities. Instead of declaring, “I’m a football star,” you’ll hear something like, “I really enjoy football and have played for years.” Rather than saying, “I’m very wealthy because of my job,” it might be, “My job allows me to live comfortably.” I could share plenty of examples—boasting just isn’t common here.

That said, Swedes are not shy about acknowledging their strengths. They carry a quiet confidence, expressing themselves calmly and modestly without exaggerating or minimizing. That’s lagom again—the perfect balance in how they present themselves.

This attitude is deeply connected to a cultural concept known as the Law of Jante (Jantelagen), a social code that’s been part of Swedish life for generations. It’s also present throughout the Nordic countries, including Denmark, Norway, Finland, and the Faroe Islands. The Law of Jante encourages humility and community-mindedness, discouraging individual arrogance, and it helps shape the Swedish way of being.

Here are the principles :

Du skal ikke tro du er noget !  – You’re not to think you are anything special.

Du skal ikke tro du er lige meget som os ! – You’re not to think you are as good as we are.

Du skal ikke tro du er kloger en os ! – You’re not to think you are smarter than we are.

Du skal ikke innbille dig at du er bedre en os ! – You’re not to imagine yourself better than we are.

Du skal ikke tro du ved mere en os ! – You’re not to think you know more than we do.

Du skal ikke tro du er mere en os ! – You’re not to think you are more important than we are.

Du skal ikke tro at du duger til noget ! – You’re not to think you are good at anything.

Du skal ikke grine af os ! – You’re not to laugh at us.

Du skal ikke tro at nogen kan lige dig ! – You’re not to think anyone cares about you.

Du skal ikke tro du kan lære os noget ! – You’re not to think you can teach us anything.

 

It might sound strict or even a bit harsh when explained like this, but really, it’s about something simple: no one is better than anyone else, and everyone is equal in their own way. So, the message is to stay modest.

And honestly, for the vast majority of Swedes, this is truly how they live. This culture of neither too much nor too little—lagom—is reflected throughout all aspects of life here.

Lagom is more than just a word in Sweden—it’s a quiet, steady rhythm that shapes everyday life. From balancing work and personal time, to blending city life with nature, from finding the right mix between activity and rest, to embracing humility without denying one’s worth—lagom guides Swedes toward a life of harmony and contentment.

It’s a mindset that encourages us to seek balance, appreciate simplicity, and avoid extremes. Living lagom isn’t about perfection—it’s about finding what feels “just right” for you, wherever you are.

Having experienced this way of life firsthand, I’ve come to see how powerful and inspiring it can be. Maybe there’s something we can all learn from this Swedish idea—especially in a world that often pushes us to do more, be more, and have more.

Lagom invites us to pause, reflect, and find peace in moderation. And honestly? That feels pretty perfect.

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