Thought we were done with this Fika nonsense? Not quite, Amigo.
Fika, like any good mantra, is a forever-and-ever kind of love. The more Fika you do, the deeper into Fika you go, my friend.
Alright, but where did this all start for you and why?
Going back to my younger Sweden years, the ones that stand out most are my senior year in high school, where me and the other hockey bros practiced twice a day. Instead of grabbing the bus to school, we all went down to our favorite cafe downtown, Klaras. Fika is in every Swede’s gene, but one doesn’t need genetic optimization to bring this joyful movement into life. All you need is a bit of determination and a greater love for community, peaceful moments, plus a liking for treats and delicious beverages.
You can Fika anywhere. With anyone. By yourself. There are no rules. Be you, do you, and enjoy all those sweet moments.
Community
Part of my recovery has been learning to love community again and figuring out how to do it differently this time around. I’ve always wanted to bring people together, and a vivid example is when I joined a large advertising agency in Manhattan. Making the move to New York City was huge, with 8 million humans in one place and the world’s heart rate pumping day and night.
If we never had to sleep, NYC would be an epic place, as you’d be entertained every moment. What I never expected was how hard it could be to connect with humans in NYC or this magical advertising agency I joined. I remember being seated where I saw tons of co-workers walking by each day, but we never really connected. My department was closely connected with lunches, events, evenings of whiskey, and concerts together. I just couldn’t imagine that at an agency of 500+, I would “only” connect with the 30 or so in my little department.
So, I did what any normal Swede would do. I marched into the CEO’s office and asked if I could start a new “thing” at the office called Fika. After a yes, I recorded videos, engaged the whole agency, baked 400 chocolate balls until 5 am one morning, all in the name of Fika and community. Through Fika, I met some of the best humans to this day.
Believe me when I say that Fika works. More importantly, I realized how much I enjoyed being part of the greater community and spreading joy through a simple cup of coffee (or beer).
We missed you at Fika
Could you Fika here?
Onwards — Let us Fika
Now that you know a little more about my Fika obsession, you also don’t really know why I am pushing as hard as I am, and that is okay. We got time, we got nothing but time, babe. During my move to Montana, I got everything I needed to heal, and the healing has helped me grow into the human I am today. One bit still remains, and that is my love for community and wanting to connect with you. Living in Montana, there aren’t that many humans around, and fewer are the coffee houses I am used to walking into and people-watching. So bringing Fika to the people is my way of connecting back, connecting forward, connecting to the community. I set up this link where anyone in the world can join a Fika if they so choose. It may be awkward to see someone you’ve never met before on the other side of the screen, but what the heck. Life is too short not to have random Fikas with humans who are also craving community or are just curious. I welcome you all into my safe space, to a Fika.
Journal Pondering
As I am getting used to the format of writing my thoughts and opinions for the world, I am also warming up to how to structure these journal entries. For now, you get my raw thoughts and opinions as they come, in the moment. No pre-planning, no strategy, just me. After being in silence for so many years, it feels nice to peek out on the other side of the fence. Checking in, poking around, learning what works and doesn’t without feeling judged. I welcome feedback.
Talk soon,
-cb