Just one word. But the right one. I’m still searching.

The line is loosely translated from one of Sara Lidman’s diary notes about her authorship, and the same applies to me at this time.

How does one say goodbye to Sustainable Interaction, the axis around which my days have spun for more than 25 years?

Now it’s supposed to be over: I have decided to make an attempt at retirement and it’s exciting. What will come of this? is the general question from those who know me and who have been aware of my decision for some time.

My response: well, Sustainable Interaction is in good hands and will be fine without me.

I am who I am: I’ve never been idle, and I doubt retirement will change that. I have spent my (finite, after all) time doing important and meaningful things, and I’m sure that’s how I will continue living my life.

No doubt it’s going to feel strange and different. I will miss the daily contact with my fantastic colleagues who have supported and helped create mass from all of my ideas.

Those ideas have revolved around putting knowledge about gambling addiction on the agenda, and to offer help and support to those who need it. And, oh, how they have had to work to make sense of those ideas. For that, I am forever grateful. I will miss you. Running a business on our terms (relatively unique for the most part) requires collaborators. We’ve had those, and you have been both plentiful and brave. Together we have accomplished groundbreaking change. Changes and ideas that were considered crazy 25 years ago are now the new normal: how we should work to minimise the risks associated with gambling. Just think about the journey we’ve all been on together. I will miss you, but I have high hopes we will meet every now and then. Just in different circumstances.

One of the keys to happiness I like to share is to allow yourself to be nostalgic every once in a while. Leaf through your archive of things that make you feel proud. It will make you happier, sometimes just for a little while. And sometimes, the feeling is lasting, so here is my nostalgia. As a quiet and shy Northerner it’s difficult to choose and convey in words the things that make me feel proud. But how would I ever know that my first meeting with a gambling addict (at the end of the 80’s!) would result in a goodbye and thank you note in 2021? I remember it like yesterday. My tenacity and stubbornness in prevailing with gambling addiction awareness all these years makes me proud.

I also remember the joy I felt when the national helpline for problem gamblers received their first call; and how proud and happy I was to have been given the trust to launch it. Being in charge that first year was both amazing and mind boggling.

I remember the day we launched our web based training on gambling addiction in treatment in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Sweden. Wow. It was a 120 hours long training no one thought would be possible. It turned out to be a success, and more than 1000 people all over the country worked through it. I remember the work that went into turning the idea of interactive online training into reality. Those trainings are now used by operators around the world. Who would even think that would be possible? I remember when we launched the online self help manual for gambling addicts. I remember ...

I’d like to think that my work, alongside each and every one of you, has made a difference. Well, that’s not up to me to decide, and that is as it should be.

Sustainable Interaction will continue on without me. I feel comforted knowing that. The future and development of the company doesn’t worry me in the slightest. The amazing employees, with their knowledge and competency, will keep them at the forefront. In combination with the will to do good, handing everything over to the team lead by Johan Brandsten is an easy task. All I can do is congratulate those of you who choose to work with Sustainable Interaction.

Well. Here we are. All that’s left is to say thank you for the times we’ve had. I wish for your health, for eternal sunshine upon you, and for smooth sailing. Preferably all at once. As for me, I’m heading out into the garage to give my cross country skis the care they need to be ready for the next season. I’m also going to give my racing bike some TLC. Take care!