Into the forest I go,
To lose my mind,
And find my soul.
– John Muir
With the right mindset, you can’t fail
Let’s not talk about the fact that I went to Sweden to find a job and build a new life there. Let’s also not talk about how my Swedish language level wasn’t sufficient and how I failed to get a job. We’ll definitely not talk about how I had to go back to France after four months in Sweden.
What we will talk about however is how beautiful the country was, and how I regret nothing.
Nature and values
These four months were wonderful, discovering the countryside was incomparable to what I had seen in other countries and how much a breath of fresh air was helpful during the darker days.
I had never been there before, all I knew about the country I learned on the internet, through YouTube channels where wonderful people are renovating cabins in the woods for example (Roaming Wild Rosie).
〰️ I knew it was part of the Scandinavian countries where citizens are, supposedly, the happiest.
〰️ Where slow living and nature are more important than money and work.
〰️ A country with a majority of introverted people, quiet and respectful.
〰️ A country where you are encouraged to enjoy the simple things.
In conclusion : a country who’s values resonate completely with mine.
For four months, I have felt safe and alive, every hike among forests and rivers was healing and every encounter was enjoyable. Cute red wooden houses, horses, deer and birds were everywhere, nature was completely accessible and limitless.
I was free.
Success or failure ?
I may not have achieved my original goal, but in a way, I actually did. I set out to find a place where I felt like I belonged, and I found it. Just because I had to leave doesn’t mean I won’t return—quite the opposite.
Even if I hadn’t enjoyed my time there, I still wouldn’t see it as a failure. It would simply be an experience—one that you learn and grow from.
SVERIGE
Nature everywhere.
During these months, apart from applying to jobs, my days consisted of the same pattern: read, go for a hike, read, repeat every day.
And yet, even while doing the same hike several times, each was completely different.
Fun fact : the first two pictures were taken in winter, while the third, recognisable by the layer of snow, was taken during spring …
You can also watch videos of some of my hike’s highlights here.
February 17th – March 17th
Winter in the Halland region and small trips to Västra Gotaland’s region. I was staying near Halmstad on the South-West coast. This region was the best in my eyes because there were many natural reserves, all more different than the other.
March 17th – April 17th
Spring? Also called ‘second winter’ … I moved around a lot during this month since I had no internet connexion in a questionable accommodation. I was staying in Jönköping but I also visited some areas of Östergötland.
You can read about my month without the internet in my article : Quitting the internet to find answers.
April 17th – May 17th
Despite some reticent snow, it finally started to feel like spring in East Södermanland. I had the pleasure to see so many deer and the forests were completely different from the one I had seen the two previous months. However, you cannot imagine my surprise when I discovered that there were, in fact, snakes in Sweden …
May 17th – June 17th
Spring ? Summer ? Who knows ? But during my last month in Sweden, while my French peers were battling with rain and 13°C, I got to spend days under the sun, basking in 26°C on average. It was also the first time I got to see bright nights.
As some of you may know, during a month and a half, the sun doesn’t set during the night in northern countries during summer (and doesn’t rise in Winter either). If that wasn’t quite the case before I left, my dog Willow and I still got to enjoy midnight walks around our accommodation without using any flashlight.
However I need to say that while the snakes were minding their own business, the mosquitoes didn’t get the memo! Also, shout out to the only moose that was close enough to be seen in a picture.
