10 Ways living in Sweden has changed me as an American.

[@gruu]

Finding happiness in small things is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves I think, a simple walk home just admiring achitecture, nature, birds, seeing new things in your area & stuff like that really helps, against all kinds of negativity.

[@mellertid]

But even if you don't find happiness per se in everyday details and shifting nature, just "acknowledging" things around you helps a lot in bringing other things in life into perspective. I think. Walks ftw.

[@juanap132]

For me as a Swedish person, this was really interesting, and I don't think you have misinterpreted anything at all! 😊

[@becurious2000]

😊🙏🏻

[@olsa76]

I'm glad your health has improved! 🎉

[@lindasimson7790]

Great video so interesting, am sure you will go from strength to strength, best wishes from Linda in Scotland xxx❤

[@becurious2000]

Thank you so much!

[@doop00]

We have great nature in Sweden, just walking around in it does a lot of good for your mind, I also suffer from some mental issues.

[@becurious2000]

☺️🙏🏻

[@mikaelkarlsson635]

As you discribe it Sweden is like a gigantic health recovery facility. Just being here is enough to make you well.

[@Tim_Nilsson]

I don't think you have misinterpreted the thing about discussions/topics but I'd say it depends on the occasion. There's a time and place for everything. For an example starting a political discussion at a party is in general not a good idea. =P I've absolutely done that in the past but these days I try to avoid it. It can quickly destroy the vibe especially if people have strong contrasting opinions and at a party people just want to have a good time. ;)

[@MrHenrikAndersson]

I live alone just like you and I cook a lot on the weekends, freeze it, and after a while you'll have many different prepared lunches available. It saves money and is healthier. Take it with you to work or just to have some on the rough days when you don't have the energy to prepare a meal. Even us single men can learn to cook! =)

[@becurious2000]

Absolutely 💯

[@rursus8354]

Right! You have been here in Sweden and learned a lot of things in a short time. On the other hand I think there are a lot of immigrants here that have little interest in adapting to the pretty quirky Swedish culture: I live in an area with lots of foreign people from Somalia and the Middle East, and I'm slightly annoyed that the non-Swedes don't greet the cashiers and say thanks when they get their receipt. It is *not* about thanking anyone, it is a transaction protocol, and a protocol of behavior when you affirm and respect the other person.

[@becurious2000]

Right. If we were to go to other people’s lands it would be expected that we respect their customs and culture. I have traveled to 21 countries and try to learn a bit about the culture before I go and when I am there.

[@AdjacentDoor]

You should move up north where we have real winters, people are also even more relaxed up here.

[@karllarsen8797]

How do you avoid mosquito bites in North Sweden in summer? If you want to read a book in your garden outside your home in North Sweden in summer, how do you prevent the mosquitoes flying around you making this constant, distracting buzzing sound? I was tempted to buy a log cabin in North Sweden as a holiday home. But the mosquitoes cause me to have second thought.

[@lucasholmberg5708]

when you talk about not being able to talk about certain topics (especially politics and religion) I think this applies to older and more conservative Swedes and not to people (like myself Im 28 btw) who have grown up being much more openminded and accepting of everyones right to their own oppinion. For example my grandfather on my dads side has always been very uncomfortable about speaking about these things while nowadays me, my brother and my mom and dad can have perfectly calm disscussions about politics and religion (even if we all vote for different parties).

[@becurious2000]

Good to know 😀

[@Internetguy_L337_90D]

i feel that americans show kindness because it is the default setting and they really dont mean it and when you think oh what a friendly person i might make a friend here and nope.

[@becurious2000]

We tend to fall on a spectrum. I totally get where you’re coming from. I had many acquaintances but it was hard to have deep friendships in the USA. In Sweden it’s the other way… hard to make good friends in the beginning but if you find a good one … it can be a very deep and meaningful friendship. Not saying there are outliers though… as there are definitely exceptions in both places.

[@ETA555]

How did you find out you wanted to move to Sweden?

[@becurious2000]

I came on vacation in 2017 and loved it here. I visited two more times and was hooked.

[@kirgan1000]

Do you have access to the governmental Swedish healthcare?

[@becurious2000]

I do now as of April

[@stiglarsson8405]

Sometimes one have to get lost, to find one self! I dont think its all about Sweden, it a process when one leave ones comfort zone and struggle to find ones place in another zone? One can say one grow as a human/person.

[@becurious2000]

You could be on to something 😉

[@perwidstrom3622]

Recall we like consensus so a poor beginning is to express your opinion from the start.

[@becurious2000]

Yea I remember we covered consensus in my Swedish language course in Lund. It’s practically built into the language. I have noticed it’s like I am a different person when I speak Swedish- language is not just words but also a way of thinking. Pretty fascinating

[@fionagregory9147]

British people are like Swedish then.

[@becurious2000]

Yea? 😊 what are the similarities you have noticed?

[@fionagregory9147]

British recycle too.

[@fionagregory9147]

As an American not a American.

[@becurious2000]

😆