As a new year begins, I naturally start to think, "Was I happy last year?" and "How should I organize my life going forward?"
Lately, what I've been particularly conscious of is a "simple life" with fewer things and as little waste as possible.

If you pay a little attention to your daily life, you'll notice plastic packaging for cosmetics, wet wipes from convenience stores, small bags, individual candy wrappers, flyers in your mailbox... There are more "disposable items" in our daily lives than we realize.

It's hard to eliminate waste completely, but we can reduce it.
We don't have to aim for perfection; we can start little by little wherever we can.

The background to my living this way is the environmental culture of Nordic Sweden, where I currently live.

Nordic Sweden: A Country Full of Hints for "Sustainable Living"

Sweden is a regular high-ranker in the SDGs rankings.
Ethical and sustainable living are not just trendy topics here;
it is a country that has been seriously committed to building a sustainable society for over 30 years.

A prime example is the "beverage container recycling deposit system (pant)."
When you return cans and plastic bottles, you get a few yen to tens of yen back, a practice almost all citizens do as a matter of course.

In Stockholm, furthermore,
the segregation of food waste is mandated by law.
Collected food waste is utilized as renewable energy (biogas).

From living in such an environmentally conscious country, I'd like to share three "simple life tips" that I have actually adopted
and that you can start using today.

1) Buy only what you can use. Make good use of meal kits.

I think everyone has experienced food spoiling in the back of the refrigerator.

Food loss is a major problem that not only increases environmental impact but also affects household finances.
What I'm conscious of in this regard is buying only what I can use up.

• Put any leftover ingredients into the freezer as soon as possible.

• Go shopping only when the refrigerator is empty.

• Utilize services that deliver only the necessary quantities.

In Sweden, HelloFresh (meal kits, regular delivery) is popular, delivering the necessary ingredients and recipes weekly.

• No need to plan menus

• Zero food waste

• Save favorite recipes to expand your cooking repertoire

My family uses it three times a week, and it has made managing ingredients much easier.

*HelloFresh is also available in Japan.

2) Enjoy a "shopping experience that doesn't create waste" at refill stores (bulk shops).

To achieve zero waste, refill stores (bulk shops) are popular in Northern Europe.

It's a system where you bring your own container and buy only the amount you need,

• seasonings

• shampoos, detergents

• dried fruits, beans

and many other products are sold by weight.

The main appeal is that absolutely no unnecessary waste is generated.

Every time, I make sure to tell the store staff,
"I'm really grateful to have shops like this."

In Japan, some Natural Lawson stores have started selling detergents by weight, so please give it a try.

3) Utilize flea market apps and "rental services." Move towards a life without waste.

When you let go of things you no longer use, your home transforms into a comfortable space, and you feel lighter.

In Japan, flea market apps like Mercari have become widespread, making it easier to circulate unwanted items, but
Northern Europe has an even more advanced "rental culture."

● Children's clothing rental service

In Sweden, where children grow quickly and use items for a short period, such as

• rain gear

• snow wear

• jackets

• newborn items

it's not uncommon for families to rent them only for the necessary period.

In snowy regions, winter boots also get outgrown in one season, so renting is very practical.

● Adult fashion rental

For "one-time" clothes like wedding dresses or work attire, renting is the norm.
In Japan, subscription services that deliver three stylist-chosen outfits monthly have also emerged.

Before buying something new,
developing the habit of asking "Can I rent this?"
is a choice that is kind to both the environment and your wallet.

4) Research ethical brands

When you want to buy something, like a new wallet or a new phone case, or when you think, "Oh, I should buy that person a birthday present soon," or "I want to give a Christmas present to a dear friend," it's a perfect opportunity to look for ethical brands. Because it's something you're giving to someone important, you want it to be something they can use for a long time. If you're giving something to someone with particular tastes, it's a good idea to consult them beforehand, saying, "I found a wonderful brand!" and ask if they'd like it.

Upcycled tote bags from Northern Europe

Salmon leather card cases carefully crafted in a Nordic Swedish atelier

My Goal for 2026: Visit "Retuna, the World's First Recycling Mall"

One of my goals for this year is to visit the
Retuna recycling shopping mall with my family, which is about an hour's drive from Stockholm.

This is the world's first,

• commercial facility dealing exclusively with 100% recycled and upcycled products

• with an adjacent recycling center

• and a very stylish and enjoyable space.

I think it would be wonderful to bring unwanted items that come out during end-of-year cleaning
and learn about resource segregation and recycling with my children.

I want them to experience a circular economy, not just "buy and discard," from an early age.

With that wish, I'm looking forward to going there with my family.

The Nordic simple life begins by "not striving for perfection."

The simple life in Nordic countries is about not overdoing it, starting small, and choosing methods that can be continued.

• Only buy the food you need

• Enjoy shopping without increasing waste

• Circulate unwanted items

• Choose rentals or second-hand over new items

These accumulated efforts lead to mental space and kindness towards the environment.

For the coming year, why not incorporate "a little bit of Nordic life" into your own?