Living in Sweden: There is No Such Thing as Bad Weather

In 2015, I made a life-changing decision: I quit my job, sold my belongings, and, together with my son, moved from Tanzania to Sweden. I did this for love yes, I know, it sounds silly but hey, it worked out! But that’s a story for another day. I must admit, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

Living abroad in Europe was one of my lifelong dreams, but to be honest, Sweden wasn’t at the top of my list. Coming from a warm country, I had imagined myself moving to a sunny, lively place like Italy. But then I fell in love, and here I am today, 10 years later.

Today, I’m thrilled to share with you five invaluable lessons I’ve learned while living in Sweden. These lessons have truly shaped the way I approach life, and I believe they can do the same for you.

1. “There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather, Only Bad Clothes”

This famous saying is common across all three Scandinavian countries Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. I can only imagine why it exists in the first place. Apparently, every country claims they were the first to come up with it.

I still remember my first winter in Sweden like it was yesterday. I was always freezing my ass off, and it felt like my nose was going to fall off. Naturally, I hated going outside.

But I couldn’t help but wonder how come Swedes are always outside, enjoying outdoor activities with their loved ones, come rain or snow? I had to ask one of my Swedish neighbors, and that’s when I first heard the saying: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.”

They explained that since they can’t control the weather, they learned how to beat it by wearing the right outerwear. The moment I truly understood this principle, I never froze again.

This wisdom has taught me to focus on what I can control. I can’t control things like bank interest rates or inflation, but I can educate myself on managing my finances and responding positively to situations.

Most importantly, I’ve realized that while I can’t control what people say or how they treat me, I can always control how I react. This mindset shift has brought a profound sense of peace to my life.

2. Sisu

Sisu is a unique Finnish concept. According to the Finns, this word cannot be translated into a single term. However, it can be roughly described as strength of will, determination, perseverance, and the ability to act rationally during hardships. Most importantly, Sisu isn’t just about having courage It’s about sustaining that courage.

When I first came across this beautiful term from Finland, the biggest lesson I took from it was that I must learn to fail many times. To hear a lot of no’s and still have the strength to keep going.The Aha! moment I got from Sisu is that falling several times doesn’t matter. What truly matters is how many times I get up again and keep trying.

This mindset has helped me tremendously, especially with the challenges I faced when I first moved to Sweden from applying to countless jobs and getting rejection after rejection to feeling homesick and wishing my family and friends were close by.

What kept me going was knowing that it was just a season, and like the yearly seasons, it would pass. So next time you’re facing a difficult challenge, remember to Sisu it out.

3. Keep it “Lagom”

Lagom is a Swedish word that means not too little, not too much just enough. Even though Lagom can sometimes carry negative connotations, to me, it’s all about balance and moderation.

This principle applies to everything I do whether it’s working, spending and saving money, eating out, or drinking wine. I always try to aim for Lagom no extremes, just enough to maintain a sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle.

Though I must confess…I’m still struggling to Lagom-ize my shopping. (Help! I’m a shopaholic!)

Anyway, through this Swedish way of life, I’ve learned that life is about finding harmony between work and leisure. So, my friend, whether you’re working hard or playing hard, remember to keep it Lagom!

4. Fika

One of the most beautiful lessons I’ve learned from Sweden is the tradition of Fika . If you work in Sweden, you’ll quickly realize that Swedes take their Fika break very seriously. When it’s Fika time, everyone stops whatever they’re doing and gathers for a cup of coffee and a bulle (Swedish bun) while catching up with colleagues.

Because Fika is more than just a coffee break it’s a chance to pause, unwind, and connect with others. After working in Sweden for over six years, I’ve attended a lot of Fikas, and I can say with certainty that these small breaks truly boost productivity.

Since I work from home 40% of the time, it’s easy to lose track of time and get caught up in back-to-back Teams meetings without a single pause. But having seen the benefits of these short breaks, I now make it a point to take power breaks throughout my day, even when working remotely.

I use this time to make a cup of tea, stretch, or take a quick walk around the block to refresh my mind. So, if you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed during the day, take a cue from the Swedes pause for a Fika and recharge!

5. Hygge

Last but certainly not least, I couldn’t wrap up this video without sharing a lesson from our Danish neighbors. And trust me, I’ve saved the best for last though I might be a little biased since my husband is half Danish!

Hygge is all about creating a warm, cozy environment. It’s about prioritizing spaces and relationships that bring joy, relaxation, and a sense of contentment into your life. What hygge has taught me is the art of romanticizing my life treating everyday moments as special.

Like savoring a freshly brewed cup of coffee in the morning, enjoying a slow Sunday brunch with my family, or sitting outside on a lovely summer evening, having a heartfelt conversation with loved ones.

But beyond cozy spaces and simple pleasures, hygge has also taught me something deeper to nurture friendships and surround myself with people who bring me joy and bring out the best in me.

So, if there’s one thing you take away from this, let it be this: Create a life filled with warmth, connection, and little everyday joys. That’s hygge!

Living in Sweden – Lessons learned

I hope you’ve enjoyed this article about how a decade of living in Sweden has shaped my perspective on life.  Embracing these Scandinavian principles has helped me cultivate a more balanced, resilient, and joyful way of living. And if you’re considering moving to Sweden or anywhere in the world I wholeheartedly encourage it. 

Living abroad is an incredible way to start fresh, immerse yourself in a new culture, and open doors to opportunities you never imagined. When I first moved to Sweden, I had no idea it would lead me to an entirely new career, lifelong friendships, and unforgettable travels across Europe with my family. 

Now, over to you! What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned from living abroad? Drop them in the comments below I’d love to hear your experiences and learn from you. 

I hope these lessons inspire you as much as they’ve inspired me. If you enjoyed this article, discover why I love living in Sweden and check out The Ultimate Moving to Sweden Guide if you’re planning your own move!

With love, 

 Robi