Not More, Just Better: A Guide to the Swedish Philosophy of Lagom

“Nothing in excess,” reads an inscription on the temple at Delphi.

The Greek principle of mesotes, a tenet of Aristotelian philosophy, finds a surprising modern echo—albeit at a very different latitude—in lagom, a Swedish term roughly meaning “not too much, not too little.” More than a maxim, it is an actionable approach to everyday life that encourages seeking balance, avoiding excess, and focusing on the things that really matter.

It’s no surprise that many psychologists embrace its principles. Madrid-based Lara Ferreiro, for example, recommends applying lagom to both one’s personal and professional life. “It means prioritizing what is essential, making room for rest, and avoiding overload—which, in the workplace, can easily lead to burnout,” she says. “It’s not about extreme productivity; it’s about mental sustainability.”

According to well-being expert Ellen af Petersens, a former yoga teacher and founder of the Swedish beauty brand Colekt, the lagom mindset is deeply rooted in Scandinavian history and culture.

“We have long winters and often harsh weather, and in the past we had to cope with living conditions that weren’t always easy,” she says. “That’s why we tend not to show off or try to attract too much attention. Lagom means not overdoing things and not boasting. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that brands like IKEA and Volvo embody Swedish values so well: they’re practical, functional products designed for everyone, rather than status symbols.”

Applying lagom to productivity doesn’t mean doing more—it means doing better. Af Petersens explains that during particularly stressful periods, she prefers to trust her intuition and break problems down into small, concrete, manageable steps.

Ferreiro recommends a similar approach: identify three realistic priorities every day. According to the psychologist, people who organize their day this way are more likely to complete the tasks that matter most because the brain responds better to specific, achievable goals than to endless to-do lists.

One of the habits that best embodies the spirit of lagom is fika, the traditional Swedish coffee break. It’s not simply about having a drink—it’s about giving yourself permission to pause during the day, recognizing that rest is an essential part of balance.

According to Ferreiro, structured breaks can improve cognitive performance and help reduce the risk of emotional exhaustion. Af Petersens adds that she often combines fika with short sessions of restorative yoga or a few minutes of stretching during the workday, allowing both body and mind to relax before returning to her tasks.

Time spent outdoors also perfectly reflects the lagom philosophy. Walking, hiking, or simply immersing yourself in nature helps restore balance between the demands of everyday life and personal wellbeing.

From a psychological perspective, Ferreiro notes, a walk can improve mood, stimulate creativity, and encourage more flexible thinking. For af Petersens, spending time in the forest is an indispensable part of life, made even more natural in Sweden by allemansrätten, the right of public access, which allows people to roam freely through much of the country’s forests, mountains, lakes, and coastlines. It is a tradition that encourages simple activities such as walking, cycling, skiing, or hiking, turning nature into an everyday space for restoring energy and cultivating mindfulness.

4. Eat Simply, Locally, and Without Waste

The way people eat also reflects the principles of lagom. Rather than following a particular diet, the goal is to choose simple, local, seasonal foods, favoring what is nutritious, practical, and sustainable. That’s why Swedish cuisine features fermented foods such as kefir, local ingredients like rapeseed oil, and traditional preservation methods such as pickling.

Pickled herring, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, is one of the emblematic foods of this culinary tradition, which developed partly out of the need to endure long winters while minimizing waste and making the most of available resources.

At the heart of lagom is the ability to recognize when what you already have is enough.

“In Scandinavia, we place great importance on contentment, gratitude for what we have, and the ability to live in the present moment,” af Petersens says. “We know that life can change quickly: after a peaceful day, a snowstorm—or even a power outage—might arrive.”

Practicing gratitude—for example, by writing down three things you’re grateful for each evening—can be a simple way to cultivate the lagom mindset, and decenter the constant search for better and more.

At a time when social media endlessly exposes us to other people’s experiences and achievements, the fear of “missing out”—known as FOMO—has become increasingly widespread, especially among younger people.

Researchers and psychologists agree that this feeling can fuel anxiety, dissatisfaction, and a constant need to stay connected, for fear of missing an opportunity, an event, or an experience.

This is precisely where the lagom philosophy offers a different perspective. If its guiding principle is to seek what is “just enough,” then the urge to do everything and be everywhere naturally loses its grip, making room for more intentional choices.

“If something gives you energy and makes you feel alive, it’s probably the right choice,” says af Petersens. “If it doesn’t have that effect, then you’re not missing out on anything. Deep down, we almost always know what is truly right for us, and we should trust that feeling when making decisions.”

In other words, lagom encourages us to replace the fear of being left out, driven by constant comparison with others, with the ability to choose what genuinely matters.