COURTESY OF TAISIYA KUKVA
Kukva reflects that Sweden, with its lakes, music and lagom lifestyle, feels like the perfect place to slow down and find balance.
COURTESY OF TAISIYA KUKVA
Kukva reflects that Sweden, with its lakes, music and lagom lifestyle, feels like the perfect place to slow down and find balance.
IKEA. Meatballs. ABBA. That is usually what you think of when Sweden is mentioned. Honestly, I did too at first, with the bright yellow and blue signs, tiny pencils to write record aisle numbers and a food court of Swedish meatballs as a reward after getting lost in endless showrooms. But beyond the furniture stores and dancing queens, Sweden holds a different kind of charm for me. It is a country that has seemed to figure out happiness, balance and living life at a slower and more intentional pace.
I actually discovered Sweden through a travel documentary years ago. Even though my childhood was full of moving around, I never got to visit Sweden. So far, my closest encounter of Sweden has been IKEA trips, where I would imagine what life might look like in one of the perfect showrooms full of new furniture and perfect decorations.
While the lakes, rivers, and forests of Sweden are fascinating, what really hooked me is their philosophical idea of life, called lagom. It is one of the words that does not quite translate into English, so the closest definition is “not too much, not too little, just right.” Simple, right? But this made me wonder. In a world where everyone is constantly wanting more — more money, more achievements, more everything — the idea of finding happiness in something being “just enough” feels refreshing.
When I picture my future, Sweden creeps into two aspects. Physically, I would love to retire there. I imagine mornings spent on nature walks, afternoons spent reading near a cozy fireplace and evenings spent having fika, a traditional coffee-and-pastry break with neighbors who prefer a conversation over rushing. The whole country revolves around enjoying life rather than racing to the end. To me, that sounds like the perfect way to spend years of my life.
Right now, I want to embody Sweden. I want balance in my daily life, from working hard but knowing when to stop to spending time with friends and family without constantly checking my phone. I want to remind myself that success also involves living a happier, more-fulfilling life, not just chasing for more. To me, Sweden is not merely just a country on a map, but a mindset to follow. Even if I never end up visiting or living there, I can carry a piece of their philosophy wherever I go. Maybe it is as small as having a proper breakfast instead of chugging a protein shake while frantically packing my backpack. Maybe it is choosing time in nature over another late night studying session. Or maybe it is learning to be okay with “just enough.”
My dream is not just Stockholm or Gothenburg, but a version of myself that embodies the country. One that lives with balance, joy and peace. Sweden is the place I dream of, as well as the lifestyle I am chasing. Whether I make it there or not, I hope to create my own little Sweden wherever I end up.