Or maybe life is truly about mindset and perspective. This is one writer’s perspective about beautiful Swedish summers.
Many Swedes tell me the same thing: the winters are too long and the summers are too short.
“You’ll see,” they say.
Perhaps. But I think it’s all a matter of perspective.
Just a few months ago, I was still in the United States. By March, we’d already had days approaching 90°F (32°C). That’s the kind of weather that drives people indoors. Dog owners worry about burning paws on hot pavement, and I was racing the calendar because the airline warned it would soon become too hot to fly my two senior dogs to Sweden.
Here in northern Sweden, people seem genuinely excited when the temperature reaches the low twenties Celsius. Cafés spill onto sidewalks. Families head to the water. Children stay outside late into the evening. The whole country seems to exhale.
Meanwhile, it’s over 100°F (38°C) in Virginia.
June, July, and August often mean planning your day around the heat. Unless you’re headed to a pool or the beach, summer has a way of pushing you back inside. You’re certainly not sitting on the patio every evening with friends.
Here, I see people outside almost every day.
Is Sweden’s summer technically shorter? Perhaps.
But since arriving this spring, I’ve lived outside more than I have in years. We’ve spent countless hours on our porch. I walk every day without checking the forecast to see if I’ll overheat. The back door stays open, and my dogs wander into the yard whenever they want to stretch out in the sunshine. No excessive panting, scorching pavement or worrying that it’s simply too hot.
Stepping outside feels like a pleasure instead of an endurance sport.
Now, before my Swedish friends remind me…
“Winter is coming.”
Yes, it is.
But as one friend told me, it’s not just the sunshine that is missed. It’s the spontaneous gatherings, the conversations on patios, the feeling that everyone is outside together.
I’ve been here during winter but not for a long period of time. November was the hardest for me. But once the snow arrived, my perspective changed. We lit the candles, read more books and let ourselves rest. This year I’ll be here longer and I’m hoping the darkness will help the dogs sleep later in the morning!
So if you’re living nearby in Sweden, here’s my proposal.
When winter comes, let’s create our own warmth.
Game nights. Dinners. Coffee. Long conversations.
Summer may warm the air, but friendship warms every season.
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