After a few years here in Stockholm, I've begun to embrace the cultural phenomena that is pre-summer. I am not sure if it's widely discussed as such, or perhaps it's just me this spring, but it's a 0 to 100 shift from winter.
Over the last few weeks, it's been:
Multiple nights downtown with friends and biking home after sunset (currently 10pm).
The other nights, it's almost a guarantee to have ice cream.
I’m making ice coffee with my Nespresso every morning.
I've already kicked off swim season.
Bakery and cafe hunting back in full effect on Saturday mornings (as you saw in last month’s issue).
DJ’d second half of staff summer party until close.
And last night I went to an open-air rock concert to see one of my favourite songs (and band) ever, followed by a 10km cycle home through the city at 12:30am!
Living “life in the fast lane” has become a motto with a friend here to describe the past month.
The darkness of this past winter I felt very impacted by. More so than other years. And when you share that with others here, there's not much comfort to be expressed, a more pragmatic "Yes. It'll do that."
Everything shifts, and it's a fundamentally different place - nature, culture, people and the self. It takes some getting used to and actively working to embrace it.
Of course, everywhere shifts as the seasons do, but in all the places I have ever lived, no place triggers such a profound change as here.
Big Change
I think I am working with this shift in a new way, and perhaps leveraging the opportunity it offers. It wasn't an easy decision to get to by any means, but I recently decided to leave my job without knowing what's next! It's about creating space for something new. A bit more on the decision here.
I feel I used to write about these big changes every issue. So after 6 years it's fun to be back in the "let's make something happen" space. Stay tuned as the adventure unfolds. You know I'll be writing about it in some shape or form.
Or Stay!?
A friend sent me this short listen (or read) on the power of “Staying Put" shortly after I made the decision to change my work.
I replied:
"Oh great! Thanks are you telling me I should not have quit!??!"
"No, no. Just ignore the title and give it a listen." he said.
I don't want to give away too much, but it's on the nature of how things compound when invested in, committed to or stuck with over time. And anytime there's a break in the compounding, it's an opportunity to allow for something else to start compounding.
Best Song Ever
I’ve watched this Youtube video of it 100s of times the past few years. Was fun to finally see it live last night. The build up from 6m30s to 10m. Wow.
Lying on a field, dancin' in the rain
Hidin' in the back, loosening my grip
Wading in the water
Just trying not to crack, under the pressure.
Pre-Summer Photo Gallery
More from Jamie
I started up my other newsletter again. Click through to read the latest one. It’s more professional vibes than pain au chocolate hunting, but still delivered in my own way.