Small steps that make a difference. A smile from a neighbor, Ocean laundry detergent in everyday life, or a solid shampoo bar instead of plastic bottles. Here I share how small choices in everyday life can matter – for the environment and for ourselves.
Hello and welcome! How lovely that you’ve found your way to my blog today. I want to share a quiet morning, a flower that lit up my day, and my small steps toward a more sustainable lifestyle.
A Quiet Morning
It’s just after five. The cat has been let out, my coffee is beside me, and the only light in the room comes from the computer screen. I love this early morning moment when everyone else is still asleep. It gives me the chance to enjoy the silence, to be here on the blog, and to rest in my own thoughts.
Today I only have one planned meeting on the schedule. The rest of the day is open – and that feels good.
My cat, always the first one out at dawn, starting the day with me.
A Flower That Lit Up the Day
Yesterday I went to the flower shop. My neighbor across the street had a birthday, and I wanted to surprise her with a small flower. When I knocked on her door and handed it over, her smile changed everything about my day.
It’s strange how small gestures can create big ripples. A flower, a smile – and suddenly the day feels brighter. We should all do more of those little things for each other. They give as much to the giver as to the receiver.
Nature around us always brings surprises – sometimes all it takes is to look up. Photo by my husband Tommy Nilsson.
Memories from the Swedish Fair
On the same trip, I stopped by our small local pet and nature shop in the village. They sell the laundry detergent my sister and I once discovered at the Swedish Household Fair many years ago.
Back then it was new – environmentally friendly from the start and especially good for people with allergies. As far as I know, the company is still based in Kungsbacka, and their products remain sustainable and safe. Perhaps a little more expensive, but so worth it.
Ocean Products – Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent from Sweden
Ocean is a Swedish brand producing environmentally friendly products for laundry, cleaning, and hygiene. They are biodegradable, made in Sweden, and free from phosphates, zeolites, and animal testing. Many of their products are labeled Bra Miljöval (Good Environmental Choice) and Svanen (the Nordic Swan), and recommended by the Asthma and Allergy Association.
One example is Ocean Dubbeldryg, one of the most concentrated detergents in the world. It lasts for over 600 washes and reduces climate impact by up to 80% compared to regular detergents. For me, it feels good to know that something as ordinary as laundry can also be an active environmental choice.
Small Steps That Make a Difference
Those of you who have followed me for a while know that I often carry an environmental mindset with me. I may not contribute much in the bigger picture, but I do what I can.
A long time ago, I stopped buying disposable napkins and sewed our own cloth napkins to use at home. We walk – we don’t drive – regularly down to the recycling station in our village to drop off our waste. And this summer, we collected rainwater in barrels and buckets to water the greenhouse through a solar-powered drip system.
Ocean laundry detergent is part of that. It gives me a smile – not only because it’s good for the environment, but also because it reminds me of that day with my sister at the fair, when we tasted samples, discovered new products, and enjoyed ourselves.
Even what looks wild and simple has its place in nature’s balance. Photo by Tommy Nilsson.
Solid Shampoo Bars Instead of Plastic Bottles
Another small step I’ve taken is using solid shampoo bars. At first, I bought them simply to avoid all the plastic bottles. But I’ve discovered that my hair actually feels cleaner when I wash it with these bars.
And I can promise you – there are truly fewer plastic bottles when you stop buying liquid shampoo. A shampoo bar lasts for several months, around 90 washes. My hair also stays clean longer, so I only wash it twice a week.
It’s not a huge thing, but it’s something. And it’s exactly in these small steps that I find a way to contribute – right here at home.
Reflection
It’s easy to underestimate small steps. But perhaps that’s exactly where we can begin – with a smile, a cloth napkin, or an eco-friendly laundry detergent. When we see the value in the small, we also feel part of something bigger.
Between the Lines – My Voice
Between the lines is my longing for simplicity. I want to live close to what feels genuine – nature, care, and the stillness of early mornings. For me, these small choices are a way to create meaning in daily life, both for myself and for the people around me.
AHA – Between the Lines
AHA! What seems small – a flower, an eco-friendly choice – can actually be big steps. Not only for the environment, but also for your own inner well-being.
Yesterday has already settled into history, tomorrow is waiting ahead. But right now – in my small choices for the environment and everyday life – this is where life happens. – Carina Ikonen Nilsson
Early this morning, the cat woke me up. The fever still lingered, but my thoughts drifted to the Moon and the Eclipse 2025, which yesterday cast its shadow across the sky. The cat reminded me of both his presence and his hunger. When I gave him food, he wrinkled his nose and made it clear he could find something better outside. I stayed inside, sipping my coffee slowly.
The cat knew exactly what he wanted. He got food, but it didn’t please him. He chose freedom instead, while I stayed behind with my coffee. In that moment, I thought about how life often works this way – we face everyday moments in our own way, but the universe keeps moving out there, entirely beyond our control.
Fever and Dreams
I am still sick. Yesterday I spent most of the day on the couch, watching movies and only getting up for food. The fever haunted the night with strange dreams. It felt like my body was burning while my mind struggled to understand.
Maybe it wasn’t just the fever. Perhaps it was also the moon, which was partially hidden in the eclipse. The Moon and the Eclipse 2025 brought with it both unease and something new.
Chasing the Moon and the Eclipse 2025
My husband, who loves photography, had waited all evening for the moon. When he realized it would soon be lost to the shadows, we decided to go out. At first, we saw nothing. The sky was quiet and dark. But just as we were almost home again, there it appeared – pale yet clear. We turned around so he could capture it properly.
The Moon and the Eclipse 2025 – When the Moon Became Magic
When I saw the Moon and the Eclipse 2025 last night, I felt something greater. I sat in the car and watched the moon change from minute to minute. The light became a thin line, like a glowing tube across the sky. My husband photographed it, but for me, it was the moment itself that mattered.
It was more than a moon in shadow. Something happened inside me, a sense that the moment carried importance. I cannot explain it, only say that it stayed with me. They say that the Moon and the Eclipse 2025 can symbolize endings and transformation. Even today, sitting here with my coffee, the feeling remains – as if the moon left its mark on me.
Here is one of my husband’s photos from that night:
Partial lunar eclipse 2025 – the moon glowing red in the night sky
Facts and Magic Around the Moon and the Eclipse 2025
A lunar eclipse happens when Earth passes between the sun and the moon, and Earth’s shadow moves across the moon’s surface. Sometimes the moon turns blood red, sometimes it is only partly hidden. Yesterday’s event was a partial eclipse, where the light was only partly dimmed.
But for people in the past, it was more than astronomy. It was magic.
In some cultures, people banged pots and pans to scare away demons believed to be “eating” the moon.
In Norse mythology, the wolves Skoll and Hati chased the sun and the moon. When they caught them, an eclipse occurred.
In many traditions, an eclipse marked a time of ritual, closure, and new beginnings.
Perhaps that is why I felt what I felt. The moon still carries something larger, something that touches us deeply.
Sometimes things happen that cannot be explained. A cat waking me. A fever that dreams on through the night. A moon covered in shadow but still glowing with light. For me, the Moon and the Eclipse 2025 became a moment that left its trace.
Maybe this is how life speaks to us – through the everyday and the cosmic, woven together.
Between the Lines – My Voice
This is not just a story about a cat, fever, and the moon. It is about my ability to still be moved. Despite illness, despite worry, something greater reached me. I want to carry that feeling with me – as a reminder that I am still open to magic.
AHA – Between the Lines
The moon last night showed me that light always exists, even when it almost disappears. Fever will fade, worry will pass. What remains is the ability to be touched, to let something greater than ourselves speak to the heart.
Questions for You
Do you remember the last time the moon truly moved you? Have you ever seen an eclipse and felt that it affected you in a special way? Do you believe we still carry traces of the old rituals and beliefs about the moon?
The Coffee Machine That Gave Up – and the Coffee That Tasted Like Water. I’ve fallen ill – a very sore throat and fever. Even the Little Guy had it last week, and so now it was my turn. At the same time, my small battle with the coffee machine and morning coffee began: when the machine gave up, the first cup tasted mostly like water, but the aroma of coffee was still there and kept me going.
Morning Coffee That Tasted… Like Nothing (the search for creamy coffee)
Yesterday we had decided to sort out the basement, but before that – when only I was awake – I sat down with my coffee. The first cup didn’t taste much like coffee, I thought. When I looked into the cup, the milk foam was white, but it never turned brown when I tilted it.
I assumed the coffee flavor was gone because I was sick and drank what was in the cup anyway, but it was completely tasteless. When the cup was finished, I took that second cup I usually have. Suddenly, the coffee flavor appeared, and that’s when I realized my mistake – or the machine’s mistake.
The Coffee Machine That Gave Up – and the Road Back to Morning Coffee
The machine has been acting up for the past half year. Sometimes only water ends up in the cup, sometimes coffee. Those drainage trays inside the machine have constantly been full of water. I’ve had to empty them after just two or three cups. The coffee grounds in the container have been watery, not at all like before.
Clearing Out the Basement & Saying Goodbye to the Machine
Tidying up the basement meant removing everything we’d stored there. The Little Guy who moved last autumn had left some things, and as always, some junk remained. Over the year, we had also collected our own bits and pieces. The younger one has moved in, and his broken “might-be-useful” things were standing there too: a broken screen and more.
My old stereo – you know, those cassette decks – also lived down there. Two speakers and a couple of leveling blocks for the motorhome we hadn’t used in years were there too. There was even an old plastic Christmas tree with baubles and tinsel.
All of it went to the dump yesterday. Even my coffee machine, which had been giving me trouble. I thought: I have a percolator and a milk frother – I’ll make coffee the way everyone else does. The basement was cleared, and I was left without a coffee machine.
Should We Go to Town or Not?
My husband asked if we should go to town and buy one right away, but I explained my plan. Besides, I was too tired – exhausted from the basement clear-out and feverish. When you have a fever, you’re not exactly eager to go to town. At least I’m not.
The First Attempt With the Percolator (the aromas!)
I thought I’d brew some coffee in the percolator and went out to the motorhome to get the milk frother. I started grinding the beans and enjoyed the pleasant aroma filling the kitchen as they were ground. Coffee smells better than it tastes, I think – though I still love the taste.
I filled the percolator with water, added the freshly ground beans, put the lid on, and turned on the power. The light came on, and an even more wonderful coffee aroma spread through the kitchen. That smell I’m not spoiled with, because it disappears when you drink machine coffee. With a coffee machine, you don’t get that aromatic scent as the coffee brews.
In 15 Minutes: From Beans to Morning Coffee
The whole process took about 15 minutes – from grinding beans to having coffee in the cup. The aroma was heavenly when I poured it. The milk foam lay like a lid over the coffee, and I thought to myself: this is surely just as good as my machine coffee.
Freshly Brewed Coffee – Did It Deliver?
I took my cup of freshly brewed coffee and went to the living room sofa to enjoy and test if it really measured up, to feel what future mornings would taste like. I looked forward to that first sip. Lips to the cup, and the first taste of coffee touched my mouth.
The Missing Creaminess
The thought came instantly: so empty, so thin – this is not creamy coffee. I took another sip, but the creaminess was still missing. I kept working with my thoughts, telling myself: this is how coffee should taste, I’m just not used to it. I drank half the cup, encouraging myself all the way, then gave up.
I Poured It Out
I went out to the kitchen, poured out the rest, and told my husband: maybe in a few days I’ll get used to it. He hasn’t grown up enough to drink coffee, so he doesn’t really understand my two cups of morning coffee that are so important to me.
“Let’s Go” – The Decision About a New Machine
My new Siemens – after half a year of trouble, I finally got my creamy coffee back.
I lay down on the sofa to rest, working inside my head with the thought that morning coffee wouldn’t be the same joy anymore – apart from those aromatic scents I rediscovered with the percolator. I took two painkillers to bring down the fever. Then my husband said he had more errands in town than just buying my coffee machine. I told him: I can’t, you go yourself. Besides, it’s expensive to buy such a machine if it’s just going to break down like the last one.
My new Siemens coffee machine in the kitchen – back to creamy morning coffee.
15 Years of Coffee Machines
I’ve gone through two coffee machines before, over a 15-year period. The most recent one wasn’t that old. I’d already been a bit grumpy about it this past half year when it started acting up. Even grumpier because it had cost quite a lot and only lasted a few years. A Monday model, on and off.
I’ll Never Learn
I still tried to convince myself that I’d get used to it, and that I’d enjoy the aromas every morning. Half an hour passed, the painkillers kicked in, and I went out to the kitchen where my husband was cooking. I said: I’ll never learn to drink coffee without a machine. Let’s go. I had already googled and checked what the whole thing would cost, weighing pros and cons. 6,500 SEK – a price I didn’t like.
Siemens – Always Siemens
But I’m a bit of a nerd too. I’ve only ever tried Siemens coffee machines. I wouldn’t dream of testing another brand. Once we got there, we decided that my husband would drop me off at Elgiganten while he went to the optician. I’d do what I needed, and he’d do his errands.
Among All the Beautiful Machines
Inside, I walked around looking at all the beautiful coffee machines. I realized mine was one of the middle-class ones – not the cheapest but not the most expensive either. The one slightly better than the one I’d looked at was three thousand SEK more, still Siemens.
Joyful Feelings and a Box in My Arms
I hurried so my husband wouldn’t have to wait. After a moment of joyful feelings – which always comes when I walk among kitchen appliances – I grabbed the box with the machine I wanted, paid, and went out.
Enjoyed the Feeling
My husband wasn’t there yet, so I sat on a bench and enjoyed the feeling: a brand-new coffee machine, and the knowledge that the very next morning I’d be able to drink my creamy macchiato again.
A Stop at the Pharmacy (on the way to morning coffee)
We also stopped at the pharmacy – my blood pressure medicine had run out. Inside, I met a tired pharmacist who told me he was tired. It had been slow with customers, and life seemed mostly gloomy for this man. That’s not how you treat someone like me, who’s nervous about medication and wants to feel reassured that the staff are alert and know what they’re doing. In the car, I checked several times to make sure he had really given me the right medicine. He had.
Home With the New Coffee Machine
At home, I unpacked the machine and tried to learn the technique. Not easy – I realized it wouldn’t be simple even the next day. I probably need a course, but I’ll learn. I’ll ask my son to read the manual, then he can explain how to really do it.
For now, it was just about making coffee for the morning. But the machine has features: favorite programs and different cleaning settings. Those I’ll learn over time.
The Purpose of This Post?
What was the purpose of this post? I have no idea. But I can tell you that this morning’s coffee tasted wonderful. Today’s cup was even creamier, the foam softer, than any cup I’ve had before.
The cup that saves the morning – creamy, smooth, and exactly the way I want it.
PPU – Price Per Use
A creamy cup of morning coffee with smooth milk foam – exactly how I love it.
6,500 SEK is still expensive. But if I calculate PPA (price per use) and the machine lasts five years, two cups a day (sometimes more when we have guests), it comes to about 1.80 SEK per cup – lower when more cups are brewed. That’s something I’ll have to learn to live with. Yes, stingy as I am, I still have to accept that good taste comes with a price. Which means I’ll endure it.
Reflection
Two cups of coffee can become a whole story. Maybe it’s not just about the machine, the aroma, or the foam, but about the small things that make everyday life bearable when you don’t feel well. I realized coffee isn’t just a habit; it’s company. A way to hold on to something that’s mine, regardless of fever or a failing machine.
AHA – Between the Lines
Between the words about Siemens, the dump, and the pharmacy, there’s another layer. This isn’t just a story about coffee. It’s a reminder that I deserve to treat myself to what brings me joy – even if it costs a little more. The coffee machine became a symbol of taking care of myself, despite illness, despite fatigue. Choosing creamy morning coffee became the same as choosing me.
Closing Words
Oh my, this turned into a very long post about just two cups of morning coffee. I wish you a good day, and live by my motto:
Today, right now – yesterday is history, and tomorrow hasn’t come yet. It is here and now that I can enjoy my coffee, my creamy morning coffee. / Carina Ikonen Nilsson
Questions for You, the Reader
Has your coffee machine ever broken down? What did you do then?
Are you a percolator person or a coffee machine person – and why?
How important is milk foam/creaminess for your perfect cup?
Or do you simply drink plain black coffee?
Do you have any tips for getting more flavor at home?
FAQ – Coffee Machines, Brewing and Morning Coffee
1) Why does coffee sometimes taste “thin”? Often it’s the bean quality, grind size, or brewing temperature. Try finer grind, correct dose (about 6–7 g/100 ml), and fresh beans.
2) How do I get more “creaminess”? Three things matter: beans (darker or espresso roast), grind (slightly finer), and milk foam (around 60–65 °C, microfoam).
3) Coffee machine vs. percolator – what’s the difference in taste? A percolator circulates water and can give aroma but sometimes a thinner body. A fully automatic machine pushes water through compressed grounds – usually fuller.
4) How often should I clean the machine? Daily: rinse brewing unit & frother. Weekly: wash removable parts. Regularly: descale according to manual.
5) How long do opened beans stay fresh? Best flavor in the first 2–3 weeks. Store cool, dark, and airtight.
6) What’s a reasonable lifespan and “price per use”? Fully automatic: 4–7 years is common. 6,500 SEK / (5 years × 365 × 2 cups) ≈ 1.80 SEK per cup – drops when more cups are brewed.
Welcome here! In this post I share something I rarely do – I look back at the blog’s numbers. For me it’s not about the numbers themselves, but about blogging development and writing: what the statistics reveal about which themes resonate and how the blog is growing.
I don’t write for numbers. Yet numbers can tell a story – they can reflect where my voice carries, which themes touch readers, and how the blog keeps moving forward. Looking at August, I don’t just see charts and percentages. I see stories about writing.
When the Oskar series was read – in Sweden and beyond
During August, the Oskar series climbed to the top. Posts about motivation, daily form, and even the struggle of tying shoelaces became the most read.
It warmed my heart to see that these posts mattered, because the subject is so important. We often say: “There’s at least one child in every class.” There is so much here that can make a difference.
Perhaps my words don’t immediately change classroom situations – change takes time. But maybe they planted a seed, sparked a new thought, or gave someone something to carry with them for a while.
Reflection and blogging development and writing through emotions and everyday lifeReflektion och bloggutveckling och skrivande genom känslor och vardag
This tells me I must keep writing about Oskar. The topic has so many vital parts: the children themselves, their parents, their teachers, and everyone around them. For example: why isn’t Oskar invited to birthday parties? Why do parent-teacher conferences become something no one looks forward to?
Grandmother, emotions, and relationships
One of the most read posts was about being a grandmother. This shows that the most personal and emotional posts touch readers deeply. When I dare to write from the heart, the words find their way.
For me, the grandmother role holds both love and pain. Writing about it reveals I’m not alone. Somewhere out there, someone recognizes the loneliness and grief of not being able to see their grandchildren.
This needs to be voiced. Not to shift responsibility, but to lift the shame from the feelings. It hurts every day, yet it’s important to share. Important to live life, even when there’s no place for me as a grandmother right now.
Every day I think of my grandchildren. How are they doing? Do they believe I’ve forgotten them? Do they know I love them even if we don’t meet?
I wish life looked different. Maybe it never will. All I can hope for is that one day they will know – the love was always there.
Motorhome life as everyday joy
My journeys with our motorhome LVL² return again and again among the most read posts.
Motorhome life and blogging development and writing – freedom on wheels
Motorhome life is freedom. You can stop wherever you are, and the endless chores disappear. You can’t spend hours cleaning a motorhome – it’s done quickly. That leaves time for reflection and relationships, which brings me peace.
Right now, at the end of the season, I feel both anxiety and calm. Anxiety that it’s ending soon. Calm, because the motorhome gives me a break from daily life. And also calm in knowing that soon it will be candlelight season at home, with the fire burning in the stove, and cozy evenings returning.
Maybe it’s recognition that makes others read. Maybe it’s the dream of freedom. Either way, I’m glad these posts come alive, because many of my words are born on our trips.
Blogging development and writing. The blog began speaking two languages
One of the biggest surprises was that the USA suddenly surpassed Sweden in traffic. English versions of my texts opened doors to an entirely new audience.
It really started with my husband. He asked: “Why don’t you write in English too?” I thought: “Yes, why don’t I?” I tried once, then again – and now it’s become a habit.
That readers in the US actually follow along feels amazing. At the same time, I wonder what they find here that’s meaningful to them.
Writing in English didn’t just become a technical shift – it became an opening to the world.
Blogging development and writing
Statistics are more than numbers – they’re a mirror of where my writing truly connects.
When I write close to the heart, I get the most clicks.
When I share everyday life, readers return.
When I dare to open up in English, the audience grows beyond Sweden.
Perhaps this is what blogging development is really about. Not chasing trends, but seeing where I am most true.
Reflection
August taught me that blogging development and writing is not either/or – everyday life, travels, emotions, and NPF (neurodivergence) all belong side by side. It’s the mix that gives the blog its strength.
I’ve never seen myself as someone who can read statistics. For me, they’ve always been numbers speaking another language. But maybe these numbers can help me grow.
I’ve learned something new these past months. When I nerd down into the blog, when I dare to try new things – that’s when I develop. Keywords, transition words, and SEO used to feel boring. Now, strangely enough, I find them almost fun.
For me, blogging development and writing is not about chasing numbers – it’s about being true to myself and letting the words find their way.
But I don’t chase numbers. I write because I can, and because I want to.
Between the lines – my voice
This post isn’t really about statistics. It’s about me. About how I use every experience – even charts and percentages – to understand life and writing more deeply.
Between the lines I’m saying: I’m on my way. I’m growing. And I’m sharing that journey with you.
AHA – between the lines
Statistics can be more than numbers. When I view them through the heart, they become a map of where my words find home.
What grows most in reader numbers is also what grows most in me: the courage to write about Oskar, the pain and love of being a grandmother, the freedom of motorhome life, and the step into English.
Question to you as a reader
What in your life would you write about – even if you didn’t know whether anyone would read it?
FAQ – Blogging Development and Writing
? What does blogging development mean? Blogging development is about following your own journey as a writer and seeing how the blog grows through content, structure, and the meeting with readers.
? Do you need to understand statistics to develop your blog? No, but statistics can provide insights. They show which posts touch readers most and where they find their way to your writing.
? What is most important for a blog to grow? Writing close to the heart, daring to be personal, and also thinking about readability – like headings, clear structure, and SEO.
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ADHD in everyday life is not just a diagnosis – it is a lived experience. It holds strengths, chaos, emotions and intuition, all at once. Here I share my own experiences of living in the in-between – where it sometimes hurts, but where joy and presence also grow.
ADHD in everyday life can sometimes feel like a rollercoaster. One day there is endless energy and ideas flow freely, while the next day it feels heavy to even get started. That is why even the simplest everyday tasks can feel overwhelming.
I have learned that both sides are part of me. On the one hand there is strength in creative thinking and the ability to find new paths. On the other hand it also means struggles with structure and the feeling of not always being enough.
Feeling All the Feelings – All at Once
Feeling emotions all at once is a big part of my life. Emotions live in my body constantly, for better or worse. Sometimes they hurt deeply, while at other times they are wonderfully bright, when joy sparks from the smallest things.
When emotions take space, they often find a way out through creativity.
Sadness can be painful, but when the crying is over, my tears are truly dry. Anxiety, chaos, grief and insecurity mix with intuition – the ability to sense when someone is not telling the truth or means something completely different than they say. All of that lives in my ADHD – both the good and the hard.
Sometimes I curse it, but at the same time I am often grateful. Because when my emotions tell me something, they are usually true. My intuition lives in the moment, and therefore it often turns out to be right. There is something in the air – and I can feel it, long before it is visible.
When Things Don’t Go as Planned
What really throws me off is when things don’t go the way I had imagined. For example, if I go to the accountant I have had for many years and suddenly meet someone else, it can cause real chaos. That is exactly what happened this spring.
The Accountant Who Was Replaced
I had an appointment and sat calmly waiting for him to call my name. But when the time came, a woman came out instead and said my name. In that moment I was thrown back several years. It has taken me a very long time to let go of the anxiety around those visits. Through many years, and with the help of a very good accountant who understood both me and my anxiety, I had learned not to panic.
But this time, when it wasn’t him but his daughter, the anxiety came rushing back in full force – just like before. I cried out loud: “No, what is this, I usually have Christer!” My accountant quickly came out and calmed me down. He explained that he had already told his daughter how my visits usually go and that I find them difficult. She was well prepared – but for me, it didn’t matter. In that moment I was entirely in my ADHD – time and space disappeared, and the reaction came before I could even think.
When Work Changes the Plan
The same thing happened at work. If I had thought that I would be in the unit and the manager suddenly said: “No, you have to be in the meeting,” it hurt in my whole body. Change became so much harder than it might have looked from the outside. All the emotions were triggered and drained so much energy.
(Today I no longer work there, but when I did, this was a big part of my everyday life.)
Small Tools That Make a Difference
Over the years I have found small tricks that actually help. First of all, I make lists – but they are always short and simple. Secondly, I stick to routines, because the same morning ritual every day reduces stress. In addition, I try to create pauses, small gaps between activities. Finally, I use reminders on my phone, instead of carrying everything in my head.
Google Calendar and a cup of coffee – small tools that bring structure to everyday life.
In the past I wrote lists of everything, down to the smallest detail. But I have grown older and learned that I can manage quite well with simpler supports. Today I know that the important tasks must be done first – even if they feel like the most boring in the world. The fun things can wait until afterwards. Except… I’m not really telling the truth here. Blogging always comes first.
Because here on the blog everything is fun – even if SEO, keywords and optimization sometimes feel complicated. But that’s when I have my SEO-expert, the AI, with me. He (or maybe she, or just a machine?) helps me along the way. And even if I have to steer and correct now and then, it is still a great help with those things – for me they are just “back cover text.” The AI has read the book and the back cover, and that is where it comes in handy.
FAQ – Common Questions About ADHD in Everyday Life
What does ADHD in everyday life feel like? For me it is a mix of creativity, impulsivity, joy and frustration. One moment full speed, the next a sudden stop.
What are the strengths of ADHD? Creative thinking, spontaneity, persistence in what truly engages, and a strong emotional presence.
How can you create balance? Small routines, structure and understanding from others make a big difference. Accepting both the strengths and the struggles is essential.
Closing Words
ADHD in everyday life is not something I want to get rid of. It is part of me – both the wild and the still, the strong and the vulnerable. By accepting the whole spectrum I can also find ways to balance it.
Strength in Meeting Young People
It has also given me many advantages in my professional role. When I met young people with similar struggles, I truly understood what was happening on the inside.
I remember once, a long time ago, when I was new at a workplace. Some colleagues discussed a girl and said: “We have told her over and over, but she still does it.”
I joined the conversation and asked: “What do you think that is about?”
They answered that they didn’t know – that she was ignoring them.
I said: “She actually doesn’t understand what you mean, and she doesn’t know what else to do instead.”
The colleagues replied: “But we have told her not to do it.”
I repeated: “Yes, you’ve told her what not to do, but she doesn’t understand why – and she doesn’t know what she should do when her body tells her to move.”
That conversation didn’t change anything at the time. I was new, and my words probably didn’t carry much weight. But to me it was clear. It is in those exact situations that my ADHD becomes a strength – because I can see, feel and understand in a way that isn’t always visible from the outside.
When Words Find Their Own Way
And honestly, today I was supposed to write about something completely different – about being a grandmother. But these words found their way instead. They wanted to be written, and sometimes that’s how it is – the moment itself decides what needs space.
Maybe you recognize yourself? Or maybe you live close to someone with ADHD? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments – it makes a difference when we share our stories.
Reflection
Between the lines of this text live both strength and fragility. I am not writing about perfect solutions, but about everyday reality – where failures and successes walk side by side.
Motivating circumstances and invisible support start long before the lesson begins. Whether Oskar has slept well, eaten breakfast, suffers from a headache, or carries worry with him – all of it shapes what the day will bring. In this part of the Oskar Series, I want to highlight how adults can read the daily form, find the core of motivation, and be the invisible support that truly makes a difference.
In the previous parts of the Oskar Series, I wrote about children’s unique strengths (Part 1) and about how small everyday demands, like tying shoelaces, can overshadow what really matters (Part 2). Now I want to take the next step and talk about something I often repeat when I lecture:
Motivation Beats Class
Already in Freud’s time, it was said: without motivation, we do nothing. This is just as true today. All the methods, rules, and lesson plans in the world don’t matter if the child doesn’t feel motivated.
For Oskar, it is never enough that adults say “you have to.” He needs a reason. And that reason must come from within himself – his interests, his daily form, and his energy.
When we find his motivation, we also find Oskar.
Pencil drawing of a child in a hoodie sitting quietly by the water – a symbol of Oskar’s need for motivating circumstances and invisible support
Understanding Motivating Circumstances and Invisible Support
Oskar’s energy doesn’t start in the classroom. It starts the evening before. Did he sleep well or was he awake half the night? Did he eat breakfast or come to school hungry? Does he have a headache, or did the morning begin with conflict at home?
All these small details become motivating circumstances. They determine whether he can tie his shoes, take part in group work, or even enter the classroom.
That means we adults need to be curious about Oskar every single day. What is he carrying with him today? Sometimes this information even needs to come earlier – through good collaboration between home and school. When teachers know that the night was restless or breakfast ended in chaos, they can adjust their expectations and responses.
Understanding daily form is not about giving excuses – it is about giving us, the adults, the opportunity to adapt and provide the right invisible support.
Motivation as a Bridge
Motivation can never be forced. But we can find it in Oskar’s interests – world records, facts, statistics. When we use those, motivation becomes a bridge between his world and ours.
Instead of saying: “You have to join P.E.”, we can say: “Could you measure the jumps and keep the statistics?”
Suddenly, Oskar is involved – in his own way.
Invisible Support – and the Relationship as the Foundation
Invisible support is most important when the daily form is at its lowest. When everything has gone wrong, when his energy is gone, and when Oskar no longer has the strength to try.
That support doesn’t say: “You failed again.” It says: “That was an attempt. Let’s try again.”
Sometimes it means just sitting beside him. Sometimes it means being a playmate – because learning also happens through games and moments of play.
But no matter the form, one thing is more important than all else: the relationship. Without a relationship, no method or manual will work. The relationship is A and O – the starting point for both safety and motivation.
Questions for You as a Reader
Do you believe motivation is more important than demands – or are there things every child must learn?
Have you seen a child grow when someone embraced their interest?
How can adults become better at recognizing when it is the right day – and when it is not?
Between the Lines
This is not about shoelaces or rules. It is about daring to see the child and ask: What makes you want to?Motivating circumstances and invisible support are not requirements – they are keys.
Reflection
We cannot control a child’s daily form. But we can control our response. And when we find motivation, we also find the paths that both we and the child can walk together.
Yesterday has already settled into history, tomorrow is waiting in the distance. But right now – this is where life happens. – Carina Ikonen Nilsson
FAQ – The Oskar Series Part 3
What do motivating circumstances mean? They are the conditions that make a child able and willing to participate. For Oskar, it could be having slept well, eaten breakfast, or avoiding a headache. It also requires curious adults and collaboration between home and school.
Why is motivation more important than demands? Because without motivation, nothing happens. Demands may create resistance, while motivation opens doors to learning, participation, and growth.
What does “Motivation beats class” mean? It reminds us that even the best classroom and the best teaching will miss the mark if the child lacks motivation. Motivation is always the foundation for learning.
How can Oskar be supported through invisible support? By being present even when things fall apart. It could mean sitting quietly nearby, playing a game, or saying: “That was an attempt – let’s try again.” Above all, it is built on relationship.
Att vara mormor och farmor – mellan närhet och saknad, symboliserat av en brygga ut mot havet.
Being a grandma sometimes means balancing – standing on the pier, feeling the wind, and daring to hope for what can be built ahead…
Autumn is here to stay. When I wake up it’s dark, just like today at 5:20 in the morning. Yesterday was filled with both laughter and heavier feelings. Being a grandma means living right in the middle of it all – with pancakes, card games and hugs, but also with the longing for what is not possible.
Yesterday afternoon Alfred was here again, and of course we played cards. That little man doesn’t like it at all when grandma wins. Yesterday he suddenly asked me what I used to work with.
I told him that right now I don’t have a job I need to travel to every day. “But before then, grandma, what did you do?” he asked. I explained that I worked with young people and children who couldn’t live with their parents. He thought it was sad for the children who couldn’t stay with their mom and dad.
I told him that yes, it can be sad, but they don’t have a choice. When they couldn’t live with their parents, they got to play cards with grandma and her colleagues. He thought it was a strange job. I tried to explain that there were many other things too – that it was a bit like life itself: you talk, eat meals together, and when someone is sad or angry you take care of it.
Then Alfred said it was good that I had worked with that kind of thing, because “there’s no one better at comforting than my grandma.”
I’d call that a top grade for a grandma. The fact that she also makes pancakes with ice cream – although you have to taste the soup she cooks on Thursdays – was also good. But, it would have been even better with only pancakes. The rule is: if it’s pancakes, you must taste the soup, but you don’t have to finish it.
And today Alfred finishes school very early, already at 11. I get to pick him up again – and we’ll share another afternoon together.
Yesterday we went to drop off gifts for one of the grandchildren who had a birthday. The situation was a bit unusual, but when you turn a year older you should of course be celebrated – birthdays deserve presents.
There were many packages, mostly pens and crayons because she’s so good at drawing. Two little kittens ran around the house and brightened the moment. The visit was short, but both my husband and I got hugs. My daughter was there too and she also had gifts with her.
I wish our relationship could be more everyday – that I could take her out for coffee, help with homework or pick her up from school. Just as I can do with Alfred. But right now life doesn’t look like that. Still, it was wonderful to see her, even though it hurt when we drove home again.
My little princess of a grandchild – the moment was short, but the memory will last long. And there was also the quiet longing for the little chubby one, who wasn’t even home this time. He too is in my heart, just as much, even when we don’t see each other.
When Alfred asked about my work, it reminded me why it’s so important that there are adults who step in when parents can’t. For children it’s often hard, but also necessary. Organizations like BRIS and Save the Children share more about children’s rights and support.
Between the Lines – My Voice
Between card games and pancakes, between hugs and distance, lies my story. What I’m really saying is: I love all my grandchildren, but the path to them looks different. With Alfred there’s everyday closeness. With the princess and the little chubby one, there’s longing and what I don’t get to share.
Reflection
Perhaps this is what life is – full of contrasts. One moment warmed by a boy’s words that I’m the best at comforting. The next, aching with the pain of not being able to share everyday life with the others.
Question for You
Have you ever stood in that feeling of both closeness and distance – of joy and longing at the same time?
Yesterday has already settled into history, tomorrow waits further ahead. But right now – this is where life happens. – Carina Ikonen Nilsson
Frequently Asked Questions about Being a Grandma
What does it mean to be a grandma? It often means being close to your grandchildren – sharing play, everyday moments, hugs, and conversations.
What is the best part of being a grandma? The joy of the small things: playing cards, making pancakes, going for walks, or simply being present.
Can a grandma feel longing or absence? Yes, sometimes grandchildren are not always nearby. That longing is part of the love – it shows how important the relationship really is.
This post was meant to be about gratitude, but the words took a detour through ADHD, blog categories, and a quiet sunrise. Sometimes, all you can do is follow where the words want to go.
Sunrise and Sleeplessness
This morning, I witnessed a sunrise. Sure, I often wake up early – but today it was very early. I don’t sleep well here in the camper, and I miss my bed at home. Writing that makes me feel ungrateful. Not everyone has a camper to sleep badly in. I try to remind myself to be thankful – for the freedom, the quiet, and the fact that we can go wherever we want, whenever we want.
Next Trip Already Planned
Yesterday, my husband started planning our next little trip. It’s already happening this Thursday – a visit to Borås Zoo with Alfred, his mom, and her partner. They’ll go for the day, but we’ll bring the camper and maybe stay longer. I think he’s planning something bigger, but first stop: Borås.
Structure, Blogging and ADHD – A Tangle Searching for Order
Yesterday I sat here, tinkering with my blog. Trying to organize it. I’ve started adding categories to make it easier to navigate. Old posts from 2009 to 2013 are now in their own group – like a little time capsule. Some posts are treasures, others… well. But I won’t delete them. I’m trying to see them with kind eyes – and I hope you will too.
Structuring a blog when you have ADHD isn’t exactly smooth sailing. For me, it’s like trying to clean a room while someone keeps moving the furniture around in my head. ADHD affects focus, impulse control, time management, and staying power. Starting is easy – finishing, not so much. And the “red thread”? More like a yarn tangle.
Still – this blog has shown my persistence. I’ve written for so many years, about so many things. Maybe my ADHD shows up here too: I follow impulses, the words come fast, I jump between topics. But I keep going. That is a kind of structure. Maybe not the traditional kind, but mine. With AI’s help, I can now make more sense of it – even if it still means hours of staring confusedly at the screen.
ADHD in Everyday Life: ADHD affects executive function – planning, impulse control, emotional regulation – but it also brings creativity, intense focus (sometimes), and rich emotional depth. For many, including me, it’s not just a diagnosis. It’s a way of being in the world.
Heading Home – and Longing for Coffee
Today, we’re heading back home. Time to pack up, unpack the camper, do laundry, and check in on the greenhouse and my little garden. I’m looking forward to sitting under the pavilion and writing there instead of under our camper’s awning.
And the coffee. Oh, how I miss my coffee machine. Out here, it’s just regular drip coffee – even if I grind the beans myself. It’s not the same. Sure, I can froth the milk even in the camper – but who has the energy for that first thing in the morning? It’s a plain cup with a bit of milk. Nothing like the real deal at home.
Callouts – let me ask you…
Do you struggle with creating structure in your everyday life – especially with ADHD? What does gratitude mean to you, especially on days when everything feels off? Have you ever read your old writing with kind eyes?
Reflection
Sometimes it’s all a bit much. Gratitude that rubs against exhaustion. Longing for my bed and my coffee machine. But also – a sunrise I would have missed if I’d been sleeping deeply. It hits me that life doesn’t have to be either-or. Maybe it gets to be both. Maybe, somewhere in the middle of all the mess, that’s where I’m most myself.
Yesterday already rests in the pages of history. Tomorrow waits somewhere down the road. But right now – this is where life happens. – Carina Ikonen Nilsson
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Introduction: Today I’m sitting outside under the pavilion, writing. Breakfast is beside me, and the last cup of coffee for the day serves as a drink for my sandwich. A sandwich with avocado and cucumber from our greenhouse. That cucumber really tasted like cucumber – not like those watered-down green sticks from the store.
In this moment, life feels simply delightful and beautiful. The sun is shining, and the sky is clear blue. It’s been so long since it was this blue. I don’t even feel the slightest breeze – everything is just still, lovely and full of flavor. At least the sandwich is.
My plan is to spend this day in the slope at home, in the garden. We’ll see how much energy I have. I’ll do what I feel like, and then I intend to enjoy this sunny day in my own way – by just being and doing almost nothing more than soaking up the sun.
Hanging laundry is, of course, a must on a day like this. As soon as my husband got out of bed, I went and removed the bed linens. They’re drying in the sun – which is where linens truly belong, at least in my world. They smell so wonderful after being hung outside, and it’s such a lovely feeling to be able to hang laundry in the fresh air.
The Right to Sleep Clean and Safe
That – hanging sheets outside, smelling their freshness, and going to bed in clean, sun-dried linens – should be a human right.
There are children, even here in Sweden, who don’t even have proper bedding in their beds. Children who have never experienced the feeling of being freshly showered, then crawling into a clean, freshly made bed with duvets that have aired or dried in the sun.
It should absolutely be a parental responsibility to give a child the opportunity to feel those things. To feel clean, safe and cared for. That sense of security often lives in the smallest details.
Garden Evening Vibes
Already yesterday evening, the weather showed signs of what today would bring. It was warm and light outside. My husband and I both got into the mood. We spent some time walking around the garden.
He worked on his things, and I removed overgrown lettuce, picked some freshly harvested carrots and hung another bouquet of oregano to dry. I checked on the tomatoes and cucumbers – something has happened, because the flowers that were supposed to become cucumbers have withered and died.
The cucumber flowers have started to wither before turning into fruit – any idea what could be causing it?
Education for the Little Ones – with Joy and Care
While sitting here in the sun with my coffee in hand, my thoughts turned to my neighbor. She’s one of those people who truly make a difference – quietly but meaningfully.
On her YouTube channel, she creates short educational videos for children. Small clips where she talks about the body, the environment and animals – always with a pedagogical intention, aimed at young children.
What’s especially wonderful is that she includes questions in her videos – questions children are meant to answer. It’s thoughtful, playful and inspiring. You can feel the care and genuine intention behind it. A channel made for the little ones, with a big heart.
Click on “Video” to watch the films she creates.
I’m going to continue this day right here – with the sun on my back and the scent of freshly dried laundry in the air. That’s enough. That’s more than enough. I wish you a beautiful day, where you get everything you need from your hours.
Carina Ikonen Nilsson
“Live today, right now. Yesterday rests in history, and tomorrow is waiting somewhere in the distance. Right now is what matters.”
Reflection
It’s in the small things that the big ones live. A sandwich with cucumber from the greenhouse. The scent of laundry in the breeze. A child’s voice answering a question in an educational film.
It may not look like much to the world – but to someone, it’s everything.
Question for you
What does your perfect summer day look like – the kind where nothing really happens, but everything feels right? Feel free to leave a comment below – I read every single one. And if you prefer, you’re welcome to contact me privately.
Here are a few things you might reflect on:
What everyday moments mean the most to you right now?
Can you remember the last time you climbed into sun-dried sheets – how did it feel?
What simple luxuries do you think all children should experience?
How do you create a sense of safety in the small things – for yourself or others?
What gives you that true summer feeling?
Do you have a quiet place of your own where you can simply be?
The day started well before five, with a cup of coffee and some bread baking. Since I had prepared the dry ingredients the night before, it only took five minutes to get the dough ready. Baking bread is something I truly enjoy – the little extra effort is always worth it. That smell of freshly baked bread filling the kitchen sets the tone for the entire day.
There was no morning swim today, since we had to leave early. If I had thought ahead, we might have traveled the day before and stayed at a hotel, which would have made the morning easier. But that thought only came to me as I was heading to bed. Well, sometimes you just have to take things as they come.
Along the Road to Stenungsund
In the early hours, after many miles on the road, we finally stopped for a much-needed coffee break in Stenungsund. That cup was essential for keeping my energy up, and with a sandwich in hand, things felt a little lighter. Although, to be fair, the sandwich wasn’t for me but for our little one.
After that, the trip went smoothly, and we arrived on time at our destination. Right now, I’m sitting in a spacious lobby filled with small sofas and lounge chairs – the perfect environment for writing and reflecting. My body is still a bit sore after yesterday’s massage, with small bruises here and there, but that usually fades after a day or two.
Living with Dyslexia and ADHD
Now, I want to share something close to my heart – living with dyslexia and ADHD in everyday life.
You know, that difficulty with reading and writing. Sometimes, I notice that there’s a sense of shame tied to dyslexia. I don’t usually talk about it openly, and I think many others do the same. Reading aloud is something I tend to avoid, but writing – that I still do, in my own way.
I often replace words with others, simply because I don’t know how to spell them. In a way, that has expanded my vocabulary, since I’m always searching for words that are easier to spell but still say exactly what I mean. The computer and its tools have been a lifesaver for me – especially AI programs that help me keep the red thread in my writing. ADHD makes my thoughts jump between topics, and here AI has been a great support.
Dyslexia in Daily Life and Work
For me, dyslexia is a disability – or, if you prefer, a functional impairment. It affects so many situations, like when I’m expected to read aloud or take notes in meetings. That’s when it feels like a real obstacle.
But in some contexts, it can also be a resource. With children who haven’t learned to read yet, I can adapt stories and tailor them to their level. Storytel has also opened a whole new world for me. Listening to books instead of reading them allows me to enjoy literature in a way that works for me – I’ve finally discovered authors and works without feeling left out.
Instructions, however, remain a challenge. Shorter, spoken directions would probably work better – but my high pace often makes me skim past details.
Closing Words: Understanding and Support
Dyslexia isn’t always visible to others, but for those of us living with it, support from the people around us is invaluable. Understanding the challenges and using the tools that exist can make a huge difference in how we manage daily life.
So, as I write these words, I hope more people gain insight into what dyslexia means – and that it’s something you can live with and even find strength in.
Now, the tiredness is starting to catch up with me, and I feel the need to go outside for some fresh air. Thank you for reading – and have a wonderful day!
Between the Lines – My Voice
This post says something deeper: about the courage to show vulnerability. About how shame often hides behind silence – but also how strength can grow when you dare to share.
Reflection
Living with dyslexia and ADHD is not only about struggle. It’s also about finding new ways. Perhaps our challenges hold the seeds of our unexpected strengths.
Afterword
Question for you as a reader: Do you have personal experience with dyslexia or ADHD – and what strategies have helped you manage daily life?
A morning on the move, bread baking, dyslexia and ADHD. Different pieces of daily life – yet together they form a whole.
A day by the water – sunglasses and summer vibes
Yesterday has already settled into history, tomorrow is still waiting. But right now – this is where life happens.
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