FIKA: a coffee break to appreciate moment in life
Breaking down the Swedish word for “coffee break”, “fika”, reveals multiple layers of meaning. What we call a “coffee break” is actually more than enough time to appreciate something. For Swedes, “fika” is more than just a way of life; it’s a mentality, a philosophy, and a cultural touchstone. Having a daily fika is considered by many Swedes to be important. It means making time to get together with friends and coworkers for a social gathering over a cup of coffee (or tea) and a bite to eat.
Taking time out of the day to focus on one’s own well-being and that of one’s loved ones is a common practice. Put away your electronics and focus on the coffee break. Relax with a group of people over a pot of coffee and catch up on some gossip. As a result of our hectic schedules, people in the Philippines rarely have the opportunity to indulge in something luxurious as this or unwind with a companion. It’s because we’ve become overly focused on work and neglected rest.
“Coffee and cake” is what fika really means. You can do it wherever you like, with whoever you like, over coffee and cake. A break is extremely important, so make sure you take one.
It’s a chance to relax with friends, talk about life, and savor something sweet. It is indispensable to do so in order to calm your mind and reduce the amount of stress you are experiencing. That way it’ll help you a lot to continue the day.
Rianne Royce is a lady who is passionate about writing, and she is now pursuing a degree in Journalism at Bicol University. She first becomes interested in writing when she is a senior in high school and continues to pursue it when she is in college. She writes story pieces and makes sure that what she writes is current and interesting to the audience. She has a strong passion for writing, which she has developed further since joining the school-based organization BONJour and pursuing freelance writing on the side.