Photo Credit: Patrik Palm
In this episode, I talk with Matilda Bjärum who is a very good friend of mine, and I’m now actually living with her in Malmö!
Matilda is a freelance dance artist, we trained together at Northern School of Contemporary Dance, and as she grew up in Sweden, I thought it would be interesting to talk with her about how the concept of Lagom has become embedded in her values and approaches to living.
We cover so much in this conversation - how Lagom is integrated into the Swedish way of life, the differences she felt when moving to the UK, we discuss appreciation for nature, our views around capitalism and advertisement in shaping the disposable culture we live in, concerns surrounding tribalism with social media, and considering individual and collective responsibilities when approaching environmental and social injustices.
The conversation journeys down many avenues and stresses the importance of opening up dialogues in the pursuit of positive change.
I hope this conversation will spark your own interests in opening up conversations and continue to challenge your perspectives.
Matilda is also involved in the running of a Podcast called Head, Shoulders, Knees and Pod, which is an inside look into creative practices and processes of contemporary artists, also discussing and appreciating the creative, intelligent body.
You can find this podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/2v3NOmQC9lmjzMuD7lYppb?si=IzDfphmCRUW5uuDVXWOIxg
In the beginning of our chat, she explains how she begins the podcast with ‘icebreaker’ questions such as …..
"Would you rather have a year living on a shoestring budget travelling all over the world, or a year in one place in complete luxury?"
… Not as simple of a question as it may seem – what does luxury mean to you? For example, for me, this could be living in a way that’s self-sufficient – own garden to grow food, eco-friendly house situation etc.
Also, with regards to sustainability, which is the more eco-friendly option? Staying still could be more environmentally friendly, unless you are travelling by walking or cycling.
So, the question really isn’t as straight forwards when you think into things as much as I tend to!
Matilda confesses she does not like the Swedish accent!!!!! Any Swedish listeners out there, feel free to contest or agree with this!
Photo Credit: Patrik Palm
The ways Lagom has impacted on Matilda’s values, and ways of living:
Lagom has always been so embedded for her. Too much, too little….. LAGOM sits right in the middle.
The intent is not to sit in extremes, or become polarised.
Lagom comes down to every part of living – food, environment, structures, outlooks, design, well-being, belongings. It’s embedded.
Connection to self- what is right for you in this moment, perfectly sufficient in this second, in this context. What is the sufficient amount of this right now??
Malmo – city of the parks
Nature is integrated within the city so well. It brings life and calmness to the city. Lagom value even is at play here. Interconnecting nature and city, not polarising them. Reminding you of your appreciation of nature in every day. We are part of nature and have a responsibility to protect it.
Her experience moving from Sweden to the UK:
Matilda had never been to Leeds before moving there! When growing up watching TV she was mostly exposed to British/American television, which glorifies everything, and doesn’t really show all the details/realities.
You can’t see everything on the streets for example.
She didn’t realise the privilege she had growing up in Sweden until she moved away from Sweden.
Certain habits/values were so ingrained in her, and seemed so normal e.g. pawning your bottles to get money to buy ice creams as a kid, having such efficient recycling systems, streets being so clean and litter-free etc. she realised this isn’t the case everywhere until she went abroad.
Matilda has previously had discussions with others who share her view that she thinks it’s important for Swedes to go abroad to gain an understanding/empathy for others’ situations, to realise you’re living in a very privileged situation, with very privileged habits that others with different socioeconomic backgrounds may not have grown up with.
Health and safety – in Sweden you have Allemansträtten (freedom to roam). A rule that allows people to use public space e.g. stay over in a tent without problems. This felt restricting in the UK as she found it more difficult to connect to nature/society etc. she felt restricted by the extensive health and safety regulations.
Does this come down to differences in perspectives around responsibilities and sense of communities in different places? In Sweden, there is a strong sense of considering community well-being. Doesn’t feel as large of a focus point in the UK. Perhaps this comes down to a sense of trust.
“I think it comes down to the trust we have in the state to provide us with services”
In Sweden, you pay a lot of tax, but in general, residents feel how this benefits the people.
“I think the trust is the most vital point for having this community aspect of if I give this, I know it’s coming back to me somehow”
We must consider vast difference in population!! This can of course have an impact on many factors contributing to the functioning of a society.
Advertisements:
There are certain rules and regulations in Sweden regarding this e.g. you are not allowed to have certain billboards on the highway or on certain roads.
Difference of focus on advertisement being on what could be needed and could be beneficial rather than excess and convincing someone needs something when they don’t.
“I think in Sweden, if you go on the excess point, people are just going to be like 'no, you don’t push this in my face, I make the decision'”
In Sweden, there are specific regulations on what you get in the mail, you’re not allowed to have too much paper mail through your door (advertisements). Doesn’t feel like there are restrictions on this in UK, at least not any that I have ever been aware of…
SWEDEN IS MAKING MONEY OUT OF TRASH!!! If Sweden are able to recycle so efficiently, why aren’t the UK????
“I think there needs to be globalisation in the way we recycle. I don’t understand why the UK can’t have the same recycling systems as Sweden”
LACK OF FORWARD THINKING – wanting immediate gratification. Sustainable practices might take time to come into effect, but will take less maintenance in the long run.
PRIORITISE BUILDING THINGS TO LAST.
Pushing back against disposable culture – things to last is a big Lagom notion.
Fast pace of society reinforces this disposable culture – a drive for everything to be faster, making it more ‘efficient’ but not more sustainable…. Fast fashion, fast food etc….
Things that shocked her/felt extreme on her move to Sweden:
Night life in UK – very different to Sweden. In the UK, she felt like there was a really large societal pressure to look and dress a certain way regardless of whether you feel good dressing that way.
Drinking culture – way different. In Sweden you have "Systembolaget" – state funded. Only place you can buy alcohol with a higher percentage e.g. wine, spirits and it is open at limited times. You can only buy light beers and ciders in the supermarket. Can’t go and buy spontaneously. Not as readily available. Drinking habits in Sweden is generally “Not to get super wasted every night” but in the UK it feels a lot of people value this going out to get really drunk.
Also, not possible to go out and drink a lot in Sweden as it is far more expensive to do so than in the UK.
Matilda grew up in a family that really valued nature. She didn’t really go abroad when growing up, but would explore parts of Scandinavia, making use of what they had where they lived which involved a lot of being in nature. Thinks that’s why she has such an appreciation for nature still - It’s come with her from the beginning on.
Socioeconomic consideration – not always accessible. Camping/hiking more cost effective, but skiing can be super expensive. A ‘package deal’ holiday can be glorified and more ‘valued’.
Photo Credit: Patrik Palm
Social media – Rising Tribalism Aspect – Going to the Ones that Agree with You.
This encourages polar opposites. How can people’s views change, how can people develop if they don’t get in contact with people who have different views to them? It's so scary how much polarisation there is, as there's becoming less and less space for dialogue.
If no conversation happens, how can positive change come? These conversations allow for learning and coming to solutions/understandings.
Finding the point where a push can be taken in.
Recognising we are communicating with another human being. It's so damaging to push out everyone who doesn’t agree to you.
Every person has the right to multiple belongings, we can’t be pinned down and defined by one thing.
We are all capable of growth, learning from our mistakes, accepting the person I was 2 years ago isn’t who I am now.
Recognising the Intersectionality of All Things
Faults come into the system when we fail to recognise this. There's a massive problem where people/governments/companies negate responsibility by putting problems onto others rather than dealing with them ourselves.
We are global citizens and we should embrace this more.
Individual and community both have a part to play. Individuals form a community, communities support/influence individuals. One person can be responsible for many things.
If we all believe our changes don’t matter, we limit the potential for so much positive change. A big company is made up of many individuals. If these individuals challenge things, speak up, it causes big change in communities and companies.
Importance of opening up and allowing space for conversation, making mistakes. Recognising what I think/believe now can change when we learn new things, gain new experiences.
How do you find a little bit of Lagom?
Right now, Matilda feels she’s on a journey of self-realisation and reflection, and her little bit of lagom in every day is finding where what she’s doing is good enough. It’s Lagom, its not maybe the perfect thing it could be, it’s not the worse but its Lagom where it is, it’s good enough where it is for that moment.
Thanks so much again to Matilda, it was so wonderful speaking with her, really insightful and important conversation. and I hope you have found something to take away from these discussions.
You can find Matilda on Instagram @matildabjarum.
If you have any thoughts or comments, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me on Instagram @alittlebitoflagom, or drop an email to alittlebitoflagom@gmail.com
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