Lockdown: May the Norse be with you
We are living through difficult and unprecedented times. The most draconian restrictions seen in peacetime have been imposed on the British public and the surreal reality of isolation is kicking in. But as we are required to adapt very quickly to this vast change, optimism need not become obsolete.
While it is easy to feel powerless, turmoil can and should make us reflect on life and ways to make our lives better. So where can we look for inspiration? The countries that make up the geopolitical region Scandinavia (Norway Sweden and Denmark) have, during past unstable global circumstances, stood in as promising examples of a less turbulent way of existing. But why? How have the people who withstand such magnificent, yet borderline uninhabitable environments forged the kind of pragmatic way of thinking required to flourish in the face of adversity? What ideas can we borrow from them to help us endure lockdown?
Let’s begin by outlining two pillars of Swedish culture:
LAGOM and MYS.
Lagom är bäs translates in English to just the right amount is best. Idiomatically, enough is as good as a feast. The term derives from a phrase that was used during the Viking period: ‘laget om’ — meaning ‘around to the group’ — which was used to define how much mead one should drink when passing the horn around the group. The concept is deeply rooted in the Nordic preference for equality and the collective happiness. Indeed, this philosophy of fairness and balance is evident in Sweden’s liberal social policies and legislation.
Mys is the art of Swedish cosiness; Sweden’s answer to Norway’s concept of kos and Denmark’s concept of hygge. It is about making your home as inviting as possible, taking the time to slow down and relax, and creating atmosphere and experience in everyday activities. A lot of the concept also revolves around eating food, which is truly something to get behind right now!
If you think that these concepts sound cliché, I assure you they’re not. Sweden consistently ranks within the top ten spots of world happiness reports and it’s partly because the Swedes focus their goals and priorities on the things that make them happiest.
With these ideas in mind, here are some suggestions of how the concepts of lagom and mys can be practically applied to support you during life in lockdown.
Deep clean and declutter your house
The stay at home rule will seem more attractive and less restrictive once you have devoted some of your time and energy into making your home as cosy as possible. Achieve this by going beyond your normal housework routine, you have extra time now to do the home improvements you have been putting off. Secondly, declutter. You don’t need half of what you own. Embrace the lagom lifestyle and sever your ties to the clothes you no longer wear, the toys your children no longer play with, the surplus crockery overcrowding your kitchen space and so on.
Create atmosphere
Seek ways to maximise the mys factor in everyday activities. Don’t just read a book, curl up in your favourite chair with a book, a blanket, a mug of your favourite hot drink and a roaring fire (candles will also suffice…). Mys is about taking pleasure in the small things and being grateful for them. Remember that you are safe at home, not stuck at home.
Have things to look forward to
Across Scandinavia, Friday nights are reserved for Fredagsmys. Fredag is the word for Friday and mys, in this context, means pure indulgent bliss! It is a Friday night tradition of enjoying a ‘taco’ dinner and retiring to the sofa to watch television armed with snacks and your favourite beverage.
Scandinavians have an interesting concept of tacos. Burritos, nachos, salsa, fajitas, soft, or hard-shell tacos are all referred to mutually as: tacos. Apparently, all Scandinavians will add cucumbers to their tacos. This ‘add what you like’ factor is precisely why the food is so popular in the Nordic countries. Scandi-style tacos are the ideal kind of lockdown meal that is easy to prepare, fun for children to create and will help you to use up the odd ingredients you have in your fridge and cupboards, depending, of course, on how Scandinavian you’re feeling in your approach. Most importantly, inventing a Friday night tradition of any kind during lockdown is essential to help you transition from the headspace of working at home, letting go of the worries of the week and setting yourself up for the weekend.
Lördagsgodis, or, Saturday sweets, is yet another tasty Swedish tradition that you can adopt to establish a balance while we are encouraged to reduce our shopping trips. In Sweden, many children are only allowed sweets on Saturdays. This is a rule that stays with most Swedes into adulthood and is the perfect antidote to the overindulgence of savouries on Fredagsmys! While the thought of restricting the consumption of junk food to just two days in the week during lockdown might seem extreme to many, in doing so, you are investing in your health and productivity levels. The average sugary treat can send your mood plummeting after the initial ‘fix’ has passed so establishing a lagom-like balance is key to maintaining your wellbeing during lockdown.
Combat despair by infusing your life with purpose
During the winter in the dark town of Rjukan in Norway, the sun does not rise high enough in the sky for its rays to reach the valley floor where the town is sited. Rather than despairing at being shrouded in shadow for half of the year, the townsfolk erected three large mirrors on the northern side of the valley that turn to keep track of the sun while continually reflecting its light over the town.
The attitude of the inhabitants of Rjukan is the object lesson here. Your attitude and how you respond during this global crisis are your choice and choosing to focus your attention to the things that you can control rather than the many things you cannot is essential for maintaining a sense of balance and comfort.
Having to turn inwards physically during lockdown can be extended mentally. Think of the enforced timeout as an opportunity to find out more about yourself and what makes you happy. Consider the amount of satisfaction you are currently receiving from your job, your work/life balance, your relationships and how you spend your free time. Ask yourself how you want your post-isolation future to look and what resources you have for achieving that. I encourage you to use your time to dig deeply and find your higher purpose. It may well take utter chaos for new ideas to emerge and you may find that you possess strengths you might not realise you have.
Hold up metaphorical mirrors to deflect the light
Everybody’s path in life is unique. What you need and want to feel a sense of happiness will vary from one person to the next, as will your path towards it. But finding balance and comfort, despite lockdown, remains possible. While you cannot fully plan for a crisis, you can prepare yourself to flourish in the face of adversity by:
· choosing your mindset
· taking pleasure in the comfort of your surroundings
· having things to look forward to
and
· reviving your sense of purpose in life.
I urge you to erect metaphorical mirrors upon the mountainside of your human will and deflect the light over your post-Covid-19 future!
Kalsarikännit
And if you’re not feeling inspired to try any of the above Scandinavian options then consider the Finnish alternative, Kalsarikännit. Google it — I promise you’ll find your inner Viking with this one.
