Finding Balance, Not Perfection: Lagom Lifestyle Tips for a Balanced Life
These days, it feels like we’re constantly being pulled to one extreme or another. HSC students are pressured to chase the highest possible ATAR and families juggle dual high-stress careers to meet mortgage payments. That’s why I find there’s something very appealing about the Swedish concept of lagom. Lagom roughly translates to “just the right amount.” It’s about finding harmony in everyday life through mindfulness rather than excess. Think of it as the Swedish Goldilocks principle: not too much, not too little, but just right. Interested in Lagom lifestyle tips for a balanced life? Read on!
Why Balance Beats the Happiness Chase
Research shows that the harder we chase happiness, the more elusive it becomes. Things rarely live up to our sky-high expectations.
Lagom offers a different path. Instead of pursuing peak happiness, it focuses on sustainable contentment. When you fill your life with activities that are meaningful and add genuine value, you naturally develop a sense of worth and purpose.
Interestingly, our brains also function best when there’s balance, too much stress overwhelms us, while too little engagement leaves us unfulfilled.
A few ideas for Bringing Lagom Into Your Life
Change Your Inner Dialogue
- Ask “Is this good enough?” instead of “Can I do better?”
- Focus on feeling content rather than happy
- Notice when you tell yourself you should do something, this often carries unnecessary pressure and obligation rather than reflecting your authentic choices and values
Align Actions with Values
Take time annually to check whether your lifestyle matches your priorities.
Are you working punishing hours to pay off a massive mortgage? Consider whether you’d be happier with a smaller home, less financial pressure, and more time for what really matters to you.
Is there a cause you are passionate about? Find a charity and volunteer with them. They will be grateful of your support and you’ll find it very rewarding.
Reconnect with Simple Pleasures
- Chase your dreams, even in small ways. Want to travel more? Start planning that next trip!
- When feeling rushed and depleted, prioritize activities that truly restore you. That Netflix series might entertain you, but does it replenish your energy? Dedicate one evening weekly to a hobby that genuinely fulfills you
- Rediscover childhood passions, did you love crafting, dancing, or building with Lego? Remember how to have fun again.
Embrace the Outdoors
Many of us spend our days indoors under artificial light. Simple changes can reconnect you with nature: eat one meal outside daily, take time and enjoy the taste of the food, observe the activity around you and resist the urge to scroll through your phone while eating.
Transform Daily Tasks
My relationship with cooking completely shifted when I stopped viewing meal prep as time lost. Now I focus on how I’m nourishing my family, improving our health, and not putting pressure on myself to rush. I put on music, slow down, and find the process relaxing rather than stressful.
The Lagom Mindset
Lagom isn’t about doing less, it’s about doing things more thoughtfully. In a world that constantly pushes us toward extremes, there’s profound wisdom in seeking “just the right amount.” Your brain will thank you for it, and you might discover that contentment feels better than the exhausting pursuit of perpetual happiness.
In the end, lagom reminds us that life doesn’t need to be lived at full speed or in constant pursuit of the next big thing. By embracing “just the right amount,” we can create space for what truly matters – our health, our relationships, and the simple pleasures that restore us. Start small. Make one gentle change today, and see how balance begins to ripple through the rest of your life.
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Kim Healey
Nutritionist | Metabolic Balance Coach
Whole food. Whole life. One Step at a time
Guiding people to create lasting change with whole food and everyday habits that support lifelong health, one step at a time.