Out and about with Fika and Lagom | Magazine websites

We have experienced food, attractions and language that most people would not come across without making contact with the locals. Two new Swedish words that I learned there connect me today.

At 3 p.m. on our first day in Stockholm, Sweden, we were invited to Fika. Fika, pronounced feka, is a Swedish word for coffee break.

But it’s more than just enjoying a cup of coffee and a small snack. It’s about taking a break and hanging out with the people around you. We’re putting away all distractions, including our cell phones, toys, and books. We sat, ate, talked and enjoyed the silence.

Fika is so important in Sweden that the locals plan and pack for it every day. We went on a hiking trip to an island in the Baltic Sea and prioritized our drinks and snacks for fika time that afternoon.

When the time came, we put the drone down and enjoyed each other’s company. It gave us new energy and created a unique peace in our time.

I encourage everyone to take a break all day to recharge their brains. However, I am guilty of taking these “work breaksâ€.

You know the guy, get things done while you have a snack. That seems like a responsible choice to be more productive in our busy days.

Another word I learned is lagom. This Swedish word, pronounced law-gohm, means “just the right amountâ€, balance.

When my brother shared the term, it sounded like a great idea. But I didn’t fully understand the extent of this cultural expression until we went to the subway one morning.

I noticed that many stores had posters on their doors informing customers that they would be closed for four weeks. These shops were closed during the main tourist season.

It’s not a smart business if you ask me. Of course, I asked my brother why so many stores weren’t open. And his answer was simple, lagom.

In the winter months there is 18 hours of darkness in Stockholm. In the summer months they enjoy 18 hours of daylight. This pleasure time comes only once a year. Everyone will take advantage of this holiday season and enjoy it to the fullest.

Sweden’s view of the economy is so different from the United States. Capitalism is not their priority. I like to work, so I found it difficult to turn my brain off and not think about income-generating opportunities.

I like to serve my customers and create new opportunities. Do I have a healthy balance in my life? When do i lie down? I lay?

Because of the pandemic, I haven’t traveled more than 200 miles since my vacation in Europe. During this quiet time of homework, I noticed the noise in my life.

I didn’t really take a break and didn’t connect. This is especially important to me when I’m with others, but I’ve chosen not to do this for productivity reasons.

I need to mute all notifications on my devices to remind me of the blessings of focus. Maybe I’ll have to lose my phone for a day and watch my productivity while I’m free.

Better yet, avoid turning on any electronics for 24 hours and just enjoy the people. I’ll pack a fika bag, choose a quiet place, and find my lagom. Do you want to join me