Ifound a handwritten note on my desk recently. I had scribbled “Swedish” at the top, then “lagom,” followed by the phrase “take only your fair share.” I don’t recall where I came upon the word but in exploring it further, I learned it also signifies “just the right amount,” and “not too much, not too little.” Lagom embodies a concept ingrained in the Swedish culture, from putting just the right amount of milk in one’s coffee to finding the right balance in all aspects of life.

I like the sentiment. It feels right, especially when applied to only using our fair share of resources, avoiding over-consumption and consumerism, and being mindful of waste. But during this season of food abundance, it is hard for me to reconcile “lagom” with the desire to overindulge when the bounty is at its mos

See Full Page