Lagom is an idea rooted in balance. Roughly meaning “not too little, not too much, just the right amount,” it influences all aspects of Swedish culture and daily life, and is as quintessential as fika, ABBA, and smörgåstårta sandwich cake. The concept has played a crucial role in shaping Swedish culture—from how Swedes avoid burnout by embracing work-life balance to how they decorate their homes and embrace nature. In essence, it’s about finding contentment in moderation, avoiding extremes, and finding happiness in the middle ground—“an ethos that tries to reduce stress within your own control,” explains Lola Åkerström, an award-winning travel photographer and author of Lagom: Swedish Secret of Living Well .

Naturally, this plays into the culture’s embrace of slow travel, t

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