In June 2024, my family and I packed our lives in the UK into suitcases and a large lorry and moved from Hampshire to the calm, coastal town of Helsingborg, Sweden. It was equal parts thrilling and terrifying. My husband and I worked and lived in many countries around the world before settling down and starting a family. This was the first time we relocated abroad with the girls, who at the time were 9 and 12 years old, and my biggest worry was how they would settle in school and find new friends.

Looking back now, I am so proud we took the leap and embarked on this adventure as a family. The girls settled into the international school and joined the sports clubs within a few months, and now have a close-knit group of friends. They still miss their friends in the UK, and we make sure to go back and visit them.

Sweden has been a gift.

It has taught me and our family how to slow down, notice the small things, and live more intentionally.

Slow living wasn’t a choice; it picked us, and I learned a big lesson.

Slow living invites us to notice what we usually rush past. To be more present & enjoy the quiet, when hustle and busy schedules would be easier.

It also helped the girls realise things they love about the UK and things that they love about Sweden. Not only that, but it opens their mind to a new culture and embraces a new way of living.

After a year in Sweden, as a mum and a creative woman, here are five things I’ve fallen in love with about living in Sweden:

1. Slow Living is a Way of Life

There’s no traffic, noise or overcrowds! There’s no pressure to hustle here. People take their time, which was so frustrating at the beginning- I have to be honest- but I have learned to be patient and enjoy the benefits of a slower pace of living.

There are fika breaks (the beautiful Swedish ritual of coffee + pastry + connection), long walks, dips in the sea or bike rides in nature, and early evenings at home with pretty candles all around. It’s not laziness—it’s a culture that values balance and family time. This mindset has deeply influenced how I work and live. My macramé business now feels more aligned with my lifestyle.

2. Second-Hand Heaven

If you love vintage, thrifted, or repurposed treasures, Helsingborg is a dream. As a big advocate for sustainability in my macrame work and lifestyle, Sweden showed me how progressive they are compared to most of Europe and the UK. With some of my new Swedish friends, we regularly wander through local loppis (flea markets), charity shops dotted around Helsingborg- one of my favourite in the middle of town is Busfro and LITA. Clothes, home decor, candle holders and vintage items have helped me create a more Scandinavian decor in my new home and influenced some of my latest work too.

3. Swimming in the Sea—Yes, Even in Winter

One of the boldest (and most surprising!) things I’ve embraced is cold-water swimming. The Swedes are serious about their dips—no matter the season. There’s something incredibly invigorating about stepping into the cold sea. It wakes up your entire being and reminds you how alive you are. Plus, a sauna session before or afterwards helps! I have to be honest-it took me several months before I started to embrace this local ritual! My Italian blood took lots of persuasion! I grew up by the sea, and I love living by the sea again.

One of my favourite spots to enjoy cold-water swimming and spa like a Swede is Hotel Skansen Båstad, under one hour from Helsingborg. In summer, it’s also home to the Nordea Tennis Tournament, and last year we saw Rafael Nadal training, my youngest got her tennis ball and had it signed by him, a dream come true for her!

4. Copenhagen is Just a Train Ride Away

Living in Helsingborg, Sweden, means we’re only about an hour from Copenhagen—and from there, the rest of Europe is within reach. I love Copenhagen and it’s the best way to feel the design, creative and cosmopolitan vibes we sometimes miss- one of my favourite areas, just outside the city, is Reffen and the Copenhagen Contemporary Museum.

We are also lucky to live only a 20-minute ferry ride from Helsingør, and we often go there as a day trip to wander around the old city, stop at my favourite cafe Patio or visit the Louisiana of Modern Art Museum.

5. Skiing is Practically in Our Backyard

We’re only a few hours from several ski resorts, perfect for spontaneous winter getaways. The girls tried skiing for the first time and loved it. As they learn a new and popular sport in Sweden, I take the time to connect with nature and enjoy solo time in the mountains; it’s incredibly grounding.

Bonus: My Light-Filled Studio at the Top of the House

The cherry on top? My home studio.

It’s tucked away in the attic with windows on all sides. From here, I see trees that change colour with the seasons, winter sunrises and breathtaking sunsets and the occasional deer. It’s where I dream, create, teach, and knot macramé pieces to customers around the world. This is where my book ‘Mindful Macrame‘ was created, and the online course ‘The Macrame Bootcamp 3’ was born and launched.

Living in Sweden hasn’t just changed where I live—it’s changed how I live.

It’s given me space, inspiration, and the opportunity to redirect my creative business on my terms, lifestyle, and new dreams.

To all the creative women out there dreaming of a life filled with more nature, more meaning, and more you—Sweden just might be calling ;)!

With Love,

Isabella xo

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