Something I find hard to assimilate to in the workplace is the limited amount of direction and structure provided at times. I work at a startup, so the company is small and everyone has multiple roles they take on. My supervisors want us to have independence in our positions which I really appreciate because it shows there is trust between us but sometimes, I feel there is little for me to go off when completing tasks.
This is my first time having a position where I am creating content that is representative of the company which is really exciting but also a lot of pressure. I appreciate the belief my supervisors have in me to do the work, but since they also have a lot of things to get done, they don’t always have the time to direct me, and I have to trust in what I think works. I do think this is something that has been challenging me and will therefore help me grow and become a stronger asset to a team, but it has been an adjustment. Ultimately, it’s something I’m learning to become more comfortable with and is a positive challenge I am facing.
Another thing that has been an adjustment is the relaxed culture around breaks. There is no set time for lunch, and it’s usually just taken whenever you feel like it. It also happens for “however long you need” within reason obviously and usually lasts around an hour. I’m not complaining but it has been interesting having that long for break and not having someone timing your every minute. This is something I’ve enjoyed because it feels more realistic to the amount of time needed to eat and take a break at work. Plus, it allows you to have flexibility within your day and sometimes I can go for a walk around the area which is nice.
Outside of work, I’ve been continuing to explore the area and really immerse myself in the city. I spent the past week going on walks around my area and becoming comfortable with the neighborhoods. There are trails and walking lanes across the entire city which has been so nice because it makes everything accessible by foot and allowed me to see a lot throughout the weeks. We spent this past weekend going to an amusement park at Djurgården which is a little island close by. We also went on a private boat to an island in the archipelago at got to jump in the freezing cold water and sing karaoke on the way back. Something I’ve loved about Sweden is the fact that the water here is clean so you can swim in basically any body of water near you which I have fully been taking advantage of and enjoying. It’s been nice to enjoy the nature here and see how much the people here really care for the land they live on. There are so many spots to walk around and benches to sit at that it’s hard to not enjoy the scenery around here and take things slow.
That’s another cultural difference I’m getting used to as well. It seems that everyone has a generally relaxed approach to navigating the area and getting around, which can be frustrating if you’re trying to get somewhere fast, but it’s also nice because it reminds me to slow down a little and take things in. I’m in such a beautiful place, and it’s nice to be reminded to take things in and sit in the moment. I’m hoping this relaxed approach will stay with me even when I go back home because I feel it has given me more appreciation for the world around me.