Pockets Of Freedom
A way to recharge, reflect, and regain a sense of control.
This week I am really struggling to write. I’ve been pushing myself for the last couple of days to work on any of the scripts I started and never finished.
The process goes like this:
I open one of the scripts.
I read it.
I stare at the screen, squeezing my brain to find ways to develop that idea.
I write something.
I delete it.
I write something else.
I delete it.
I try a different script.
The process repeats itself.
Hours pass by, I am still blocked, and I haven’t made any progress.
So today I decided to change my environment. I grabbed my coat and headed to a cozy coffee shop nearby. I ordered a big foamy cappuccino with a pastry and sat at my favorite spot, right in the corner, with a comfy padded sofa.
And this is exactly what I want to talk about.
This week’s framework is about cinnamon buns and coffee.
Fika - the almighty Swedish coffee break
Fika, pronounced "fee-ka," is a cherished Swedish tradition. It involves a coffee and a sweet treat -fikabröd-, often shared with some company. It’s a pause to connect with others while savoring a comforting drink and a small bite.
Most offices in Sweden have scheduled fika breaks. It refreshes the brain and strengthens relationships. And it makes good business sense: firms have better teams and are more productive where fika is institutionalized.
But fika is not about productivity, it’s a way of living. You can fika in the morning with an unhurried breakfast to ease your way into the day. Fika is brunch on a Sunday, and that chamomile tea before bed.
It’s about carving time out to slow down.
Creating pockets of freedom in a busy schedule.
I think coffee and a sweet treat are an unbeatable combo, but fika can take any form you want. A walk in the park, reading a chapter of a book, or calling a friend.
Unplugging.
When we allow ourselves to step out of the hustle for a bit, things really start to flow.
We feel more balanced, grounded. We let our minds rest and give room for new ideas to flourish.
If you are in a rut, this was your signal to embrace a fika moment.
Thank you for supporting this newsletter.
Until soon,
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