Embracing Stillness
“A busy mind is easy, a still mind is challenging.”
In today’s fast-paced world, a busy mind is often seen as a badge of honor. We’re constantly bombarded with distractions, to do lists and endless streams of information. It’s easy to fill our minds with the noise of daily life. But amidst this hustle, finding stillness can feel elusive.
Yet in the Swedish philosophy of Lagom, stillness is not only possible but essential for a balanced and fulfilling life. While keeping your mind busy may come naturally, embracing stillness requires intentionality, presence and the discipline to slow down. Let’s explore how you can cultivate this much needed stillness and incorporate it into your Lagom life.
The Allure of a Busy Mind
We often associate busyness with productivity. A jam packed schedule can give us a sense of purpose and a cluttered mind may even feel like we’re achieving more. But as Lagom teaches us, too much of anything including mental activity throws us off balance.
A busy mind can:
• Lead to stress and burnout.
• Cloud judgment making decision making difficult.
• Disconnect us from the present causing us to miss life’s simple joys.
While it’s easy to keep the mind active, it’s much harder to sit with our thoughts or find moments of true stillness. This is where the Lagom principle of “just enough” comes into play - not too busy, not too idle, but a balanced state where we can thrive.
The Power of Stillness in Lagom
Stillness doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means creating intentional pauses in your day to reset and find clarity. Lagom encourages this delicate balance between action and rest, productivity and reflection. In stillness, we find the space to recharge, clear our minds and connect with ourselves.
Here’s why stillness matters in Lagom living:
1. Mental Clarity: Stillness gives the mind a break, allowing you to process information more effectively and make decisions with greater clarity.
2. Emotional Balance: By slowing down, you can become more in tune with your emotions, handling stress and challenges with a calm, grounded mindset.
3. Presence: Stillness pulls you into the present moment. It allows you to fully experience and appreciate what’s around you—whether that’s a walk in nature or a moment of quiet at home.
How to Embrace Stillness in a Lagom Life
Incorporating stillness into your life doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your routine. Small, mindful steps can create powerful change. Here’s how to start:
1. Mindful Pauses in Your Day
Set aside a few minutes throughout your day for mindful pauses. Whether it’s five minutes of deep breathing or simply sitting in silence with your morning coffee, these moments help reset your mind. Lagom is about balance, so find moments where you can step away from the rush.
2. Disconnect from Distractions
In our hyper-connected world, it’s easy to get swept up in the constant flow of notifications and media. Create pockets of stillness by limiting your screen time, especially in the morning or before bed. Let these times be moments of quiet reflection and a break from the mental chatter.
3. Embrace Nature
One of the core tenets of Lagom is staying connected to nature. Spending time outdoors naturally brings a sense of peace and calm. Whether it’s a walk in the park or a quiet moment in your garden, nature invites you to slow down and ground yourself.
4. Create Simple, Soothing Rituals
Find joy in simple, repetitive activities that allow your mind to rest. This could be a daily tea ritual, journaling, or light stretching. These small acts of mindfulness are key to living a Lagom life—they remind us that slowing down doesn’t mean we’re less productive; it means we’re creating space for intentional living.
5. Meditation and Breathwork
If stillness feels particularly challenging, meditation and breathwork can help you ease into it. Guided meditation or deep breathing exercises teach your mind to focus on the present moment. In time, these practices become a powerful tool for calming the busy mind.
Finding Balance: The Ultimate Goal
Embracing stillness is not about cutting out all activity but about finding balance - the very essence of Lagom. It’s about recognising when your mind is overworked and taking steps to bring it back to a calm and centered place. Stillness isn’t an absence of thought but a conscious choice to make space for reflection, clarity, and inner peace.
Final Thoughts
A busy mind may seem easier because it distracts us from discomfort or boredom, but it ultimately leaves us feeling scattered and drained. In contrast, stillness can be challenging because it asks us to face ourselves, be present and quiet the mental noise. However, by embracing stillness through the lens of Lagom, we can strike a beautiful balance between doing and being.
So, take a deep breath. Pause. Listen to the quiet moments. In doing so, you’re living the essence of Lagom—finding balance, peace and contentment in life’s stillness.
