I don't think it would surprise anyone for me to say that life is hard. Figuring out how to make it easier, less stressful, more fulfilling takes work and intention. But it seems like maybe the Swedish have a leg up, since they have lagom. 

Lagom is the idea of "just right," the thought that a life well lived is based in balance. Not too little, not too much. It's a focus on what is essential, on finding joy in the moment, and the idea that just the right amount of a thing is, well, just right. 

And to help us all to find balance, Anna Brones gives us Live Lagom, a lifestyle book that shows us the way to a balanced life, at work, at home, for our health, and for the environment. She fills these pages with tips and ideas as well as beautiful photos as inspiration of how to bring more of the beauty of nature inside. 

Ideas for bringing lagom to work involve stepping away from multi-tasking, cultivating a sense of collaboration, and bringing the Swedish fika, a social coffee break (often with pastry), to the office. Making home more lagom can include bringing nature inside with plants or a branches, using beautiful textiles to add emotional and physical warmth to a space, and developing craft skills to slow down and bring intention to your handiwork and your living space. 

Lagom for your health involves living in the moment, connecting with others in person, limiting time online, and embracing enjoyment. And lagom in the environment is the natural blending of the outdoors and the indoors, of finding sustainability in other areas of life and celebrating the earth and all its pleasures. 

But this quick summary has maybe oversimplified what Live Lagom has to offer. Brones gives us so many ideas for living a more balanced life, from choosing furniture to ideas for crafts to try, from helping us work smarter without working harder to managing our stress levels. And she includes about a dozen recipes to try, from a potato, leek, and mushroom gratin to rye loaves to Swedish pancakes. Anyone looking for ideas on living a better, less stressful, more balanced life could learn a lot from the Swedish and from Live Lagom. 

Galleys for Live Lagom were provided by Ten Speed Press through NetGalley.com, with many thanks.