At Home with Mathilda Ritzén

Mathilda Ritzén is behind Sweden's largest spiritual podcast – Holy Crap – which she runs together with her friend Amanda. Mathilda buys sustainable furnishings on secondhand sites and likes to start the day with a green smoothie bowl, decaf coffee and a croissant. The recipe for feeling good? - Surround yourself with people you like, eat good food, be active and laugh a lot!.

Mathilda Ritzén

Mathilda Ritzén is behind Sweden's largest spiritual podcast – Holy Crap – which she runs together with her friend Amanda. Mathilda buys sustainable furnishings on secondhand sites and likes to start the day with a green smoothie bowl, decaf coffee and a croissant. The recipe for feeling good? - Surround yourself with people you like, eat good food, be active and laugh a lot!.

What are you working with? Was it hard to change career?

Today I work full-time with me and my friend's company Holy Crap, which is Sweden's largest platform for holistic health and spirituality. We offer podcasts, courses, events and retreats for spiritual development and community. Previously, I worked with marketing at various tech companies and the shift to running my own – in a completely different industry – has been a big step, a little scary but so much fun. It's a completely different responsibility to run your own business, but after working part-time for two years, I was so ready to let go and I thank myself every day that I had the courage to quit this spring.

What does spirituality mean to you?

Spirituality has so many layers but basically I see it as a belief that we are part of something bigger, a higher energy that "holds" our human experience. And it's not as fuzzy as it sounds, at a fundamental level it's all about energy and energy can never disappear, which science agrees with. For me, spirituality is comfort and a sense of a greater meaning in life.

How do you use spirituality in everyday life?

I mainly use spirituality for self-development and right now I'm exploring how I can live with an open heart as possible. It does not mean trying to deafen or ignore difficult feelings, but daring to look at my shadow sides (what I am ashamed of) and understand that my perception of other people and the environment are only reflections of my inner self. Everything changed when I shifted that perspective and understood that I am 100% responsible for how I feel, and that there is a loving way to look at almost every situation.

What is important for you to feel good?

To be surrounded by people who make me feel good and that I have a meaningful and free life. Then eating good food, exercise and laughing a lot is so important!

What does sustainability and consciousness mean to you?

Consciousness for me is about being aware of thoughts, feelings and actions and how they affect me and my surroundings. It is also about being present and awake to be able to direct life where I want instead of acting on autopilot, which often results in doing what is expected of one and guided by norms and the opinions of others. Sustainability is an important part of being aware, and I believe that if more people wake up (which many are doing right now!) and see how they live and over consume, we will take other decisions for our earth. We are extremely unbalanced in the Western world, and the imbalance that we see in nature is a reflection of how we feel on the inside.

What are your favorite interior design tips?

I love shopping secondhand and don’t think I have any new furnitures in my apartment. It is both sustainable, fun and economically to look on the auction sites, Blocket or Facebook Marketplace etc. I also think that it gives so much more warmth and personality to the interior with secondhand furniture. The most important thing in interior design is that it should feel cosy and personal. I love wood, green plants and lots of textiles like blankets, curtains and furry maths. My best treasure is probably my dining table, I found it at Blocket for 300 sek and it makes me so happy every single day!

What are your favorite books right now?

"The Untethered Soul" Michael A Singer, "A return to love" Marianne Williamsson and "Untamed" Glennon Doyle.

How does your skin-care routine look like?

I try to use as natural products as possible and I love the whole line of CBD skincare from Mantle, nourishing face masks from Evolve and Dr. Hauschka's creams.