Lagom is a Swedish term and philosophy that means just the right amount. Of course, lagom (like many Swedish terms) doesn’t have a true English language equivalent, rather more an attempt to capture the essence of the word. Lagom är bäst or The right amount is best, is a Swedish proverb that sums up the definition of lagom (and is where it comes from). Enough is as good as a feast is another way of putting lagoms meaning.
Currently there are a whole lot of articles all about how lagom is this year’s hygge, however I don’t think that’s quite right. Maybe as the latest fad’s “catch-word” but unlike hygge which is all about comfort and coziness, lagom is more a way of being, doing and thinking in moderation, and it’s a way that can at times come across as a bit stark or indifferent. That is so not the actual case, but especially for more boisterous, boastful cultures in places like America who tend to be more over-the-top, the bigger, the more, the better, lagom can be an almost startling concept.
Lagom is something of a vague, nebulous concept that celebrates modesty, calmness and a sort of quiet confidence that doesn’t shout out or fight for attention. Lagom simply is.
Maybe part of lagom’s current appeal is exhaustion from the over-saturated “special-snowflake” culture or maybe it’s a pull to something that seems different and calm. Whatever it is, I’m all for balance and maybe incorporating some lagom into my life wouldn’t be a bad thing. What do you think?
Namaste ~ Ella
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Lawhimsy 
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