Heavily ingrained in the Swedish psyche, lagom, which means “neither too much nor too little – just enough”, is about striking a healthy balance in every aspect of life—from work and leisure to family and food, and everything in between without having to make sweeping changes, and without denying ourselves anything. Lagom is believed to have begun with Viking culture: at gatherings, when a bowl of mead was passed around in a circle, it was important that everyone sipped their “fair share” so as to ensure that no one amasses too much and no one is left wanting.

In this inviting, illustrated guide, Niki Brantmark explains how to incorporate the concept of lagom into your lifestyle. Introducing lagom to your personal life involves ideas for decluttering your home, conscious buying and embracing ‘slow design’. At work, take time to balance your day with a proper lunchbreak and a gadget-free Sabbath, while outdoor staycations in remote settings can offer relaxation you never knew possible!

Lagom at home and with our families explains the art of simple pleasures – bring a dish entertaining at home, of shared craft activities with our children and less stressed homework time. And finally there’s lagom in the wider world and the principles of living sustainably: make some small changes such as using LED lightbulbs, taking shorter showers and upcycling and you are following the lagom ideal, a rewarding but responsible life; not sacrificing what you love, while not taking from the planet more than you need. Lagom is moderation, balance, and equality.

In a fast-paced world, Lagom reminds us to slow down, to decompress and de-stress, to be mindful of sustainability yet not deprive ourselves of pleasure. But lagom is by no means a rigid set of rules—sometimes you need more, sometimes you need less, and that’s fine! In this delightful book, Niki Brantmark offers insightful suggestions and bite-sized actions to help you make subtle changes to your life, so you too can make time for the things that matter most and achieve balance, well-being and a more sustainable existence.