Remember the coziness craze inspired by the Danish concept of “hygge”? Similarly, lagom has been practiced for generations but is now gaining momentum around the world. Lagom is an all-encompassing philosophy that applies to balancing all aspects of life, but it’s perfect for traveling.
Helen Russell, journalist and author “The Atlas of Happiness: The Global Secrets to HappinessAccording to the , the word “lagom” comes from the Swedish “lag,” or “team,” and Swedish folklore suggests that “laget om,” or “with the whole team,” was a phrase used by Vikings when passing around a horn full of mead to ensure everyone got a fair share.
There is no exact science or recipe for lagom. It depends on each individual’s balance. Laura Akinmade Åkerström, travel photographer and author of the book “Lagom: The Swedish secret to living a good life”“, It asks us to think of Lagom as an internal scale that must always be kept in balance. Too much or too little of anything puts strain on the scale.
“Lagom actually means finding the best (not the best) solutions to achieve balance and eliminate stress within your control,” she says. “As a personal philosophy, it’s about helping you live a sustainable life that you can comfortably maintain.”
So lagom can range from something as simple as the “just right” amount of salt to put in your soup to holistic ideas like avoiding the bigger the better. Here are some practical ways to incorporate lagom into your travel plans.
I grew up in a maximalist Southern household, so every time I packed a suitcase, it ended with me sitting down and zipping it up because you never knew when you’d need a silk kaftan or a feather fascinator. But packing things you don’t need is the antithesis of lagom. Clutter makes you anxious. Packing light (but smart), like your travel uniform, is better for lagom travel.
My husband once said I have a superhuman ability to turn a hotel room into a disaster in an instant, but by practicing Lagom, I now simply spend five minutes organizing my belongings and feel instantly at home in a new environment.
Akinmade-Åkerstrom says that when traveling, you should think about simple, practical and durable things, “from the gear you pack to last to the activities you do.”
In Sweden, “fika” is loosely defined as the practice of stopping and recharging your batteries, and while Swedes do this on a daily basis, the holidays are the perfect time to dip your toes into the concept.
“This social act often translates to taking multiple breaks throughout the day to socialize with friends, loved ones or coworkers over coffee and a pastry like a cinnamon roll,” Akinmade-Åkerström said.
“The unspoken reason we do fika is to ground ourselves and reconnect with ourselves.”
Fika is the replacement of pre-ordered Starbucks lattes with sitting and chatting over drinks in real mugs, and for solo travelers it’s the perfect time for people-watching in a new environment.
In its simplest form, fika is about recharging your batteries, whether that means sitting down for 30 minutes to rest your tired feet or taking a refreshing nap before your next tour.
Leave room for spontaneity
I’ll confess: I used to rely heavily on the “unfun Type A travel planner,” a spreadsheet that detailed my plans for each day of my vacation. For example:
- 6am everyone wake up!
- 6:30am: Eat your breakfast quickly.
- You will leave your hotel at 6:35am for a must-see tour (make sure you don’t get late!).
- Noon: I’m exhausted, but I don’t mind because I have a restaurant reservation for lunch!
- 3pm Feeling hungry? No problem, we’ve got a food tour for you.
- 4pm Want to take a nap? Too bad, it’s museum time.
- Happy hour at 5pm? What’s that? Nobody here is happy.
Since then, I’ve pared my plan down to a skeleton version that includes the important details, some planning, and also some room for relaxation and spontaneity.
My husband and I have adopted a new acronym that fits perfectly with our lagom travel: “T-WOO” stands for “The world is our oyster” – in other words, no plan!
This approach has led to some amazing days, from motorbike rides around Laos to stumbling upon perfectly salted oysters next to a peat-fueled stove in Ireland to a last-minute decision to drive the Mississippi Blues Trail and discovering live music in a smoky juke joint.
Spreading Luxury
I can’t count on my fingers the number of times I ate (and drank) too much while on vacation, and I wish I could go back in time and tell my 21-year-old self that “unlimited mimosas” doesn’t mean you have to drink every single one of them.
Lagom is all about tasting: Swedes eat a diet rich in whole grains, lean proteins, vegetables and berries, but they also have a big sweet tooth (think cinnamon rolls, a popular part of fika).
It’s fine to have rich desserts and sip beautifully crafted cocktails and mocktails, but do it in balance. For me, this means skipping the breakfast buffet and splurging on a multi-course dinner.
Exercise and rest
I’ve always envied skiers’ holidays, complete with a day of smashing down the slopes and soothing après-ski hot toddies and warm baths.
Lagom allows you to enjoy activities on your travels without hitting the hotel gym, which I think of as exercising locally: jogging along the ocean in San Juan, Puerto Rico, hiking in the forests of Switzerland, or biking in Amsterdam.
In addition to T-WOO, Russell suggests adopting the letters WWASD (What Would a Swede Do?), meaning make sure you don’t try to do more than you can handle.
“For a Viking, Lagom-style holiday, think about WWASD – is your glass really half empty, or is it, in fact, just full,” Russell says.
Ann Roderick Jones is a travel writer who splits her time between New York and New Orleans. You can follow her on Instagram. Animalie.