"I'm Tim" - The Lessons Behind Avicii’s Story
What we often miss when chasing dreams
Before I discuss today’s story, I want to honour someone whose life left a deep impact on so many.
Tribute:
The world misses you, Tim. This is written in your honour.
A dream with strings attached
The play button felt heavier than it should. I hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and clicked.
Avicii: I’m Tim.
Living in Sweden, I remember the day the news of Tim Bergling’s death broke. It hit like a punch to the chest while I was driving.
Tim was a global icon, yes. But first, he was a local boy raised in the typical middle-class Swedish way, where parents were deeply present, fathers played silly games, and life balance was the foundation of life.
As the documentary played, I saw glimpses of Tim’s early life: his mother held him tightly, and he played and laughed with his father.
Then, there’s a boy with this passion for music. He only wanted to be able to make a living - pay the rent and pay expenses with his music. He just loved creating. You can see the excitement in his eyes when he starts.
And then Ash Pournouri entered the picture. “I’ll make you a superstar in no time,” he promised. And he delivered.
But here’s the thing about promises like that: they come with strings attached.
The cost of success
Tim’s rise to fame was meteoric. By his early twenties, he was one of the biggest names in electronic dance music (EDM). “You have Tim in front of you” - that’s how Chris Martin from Coldplay was introduced to him, “He agreed to produce for me in the middle of his other 50,000 projects,” comments Chris.
Avicii performed on stages around the world, earning millions. But beneath the glittering surface, his life was falling apart.
The nonstop touring, sleepless nights, and relentless pressure to produce and perform left Tim physically and mentally broken. He developed pancreatitis from excessive drinking—his way of coping—and eventually had to have his gallbladder and appendix removed.
In 2016, Tim retired from touring, admitting he needed to focus on his health. But by then, the damage was done.
What hit me hardest was watching him try to balance being “Tim” and being “Avicii.” It was like watching someone fight to keep hold of himself while the world pulled him apart.
A Swedish perspective: The balance of Lagom
To truly understand Tim’s story, you must consider his cultural background. Sweden is a country steeped in the philosophy of Lagom, the idea that everything in life should be “just right.” Not too much, not too little, but balance above all.
It’s a mindset passed down through generations. And it might explain why so many famous Swedes have walked away from the spotlight when the scales tipped too far:
Björn Borg, the tennis legend, retired at 26 when the game stopped being fun.
More recently, well-known Swedish singer Molly Sandén turned down a major opportunity to become world famous because it required her to lose 10 kg.
Even ABBA, arguably one of the most famous Swedish exports, quit after a decade. Perhaps their bond as a foursome helped them last as long as they did.
And what about Swedish House Mafia or Europe? Their stories are eerily similar—rising to fame, then stepping back to reclaim balance.
The exceptions might be Roxette, whose success endured until illness intervened, and Zara Larsson, who is still ongoing.
Swedes seem to say “enough” when they perceive that too much will endanger their lifestyle - that life’s bliss doesn’t come solely from achievements.
Yet Tim’s success was fast and massive, and balance was elusive. His fame didn’t come with a supportive safety net; instead, it swept him up, spun him around, and left him disoriented.
What we can learn
Tim’s story tells us what happens when we lose touch with ourselves.
Success isn’t the same as happiness
Success may bring money or recognition, but what about the time to enjoy it? For Tim, there wasn’t. It didn’t bring him peace; it magnified his struggles. External achievement feels tremendous, but skipping what's within can be devastating.Pay attention to the warning signs
Tim’s health issues and emotional struggles were his body’s way of saying, “Slow down.” But the world around him wasn’t listening, and neither was he. When something feels off, it’s worth paying attention before it’s too late.Stay true to your purpose
Tim started wanting to make music, but the industry pushed him far beyond that. His story is about staying grounded in your “why,” no matter how tempting it is to pursue more.Balance is everything
Sweden’s Lagom mindset reminds us that a life without balance is a life at risk. Balance comes from sharing moments and being present with loved ones. It comes from knowing that success means little if you don’t have meaningful connections; if you don’t stop when your body and mind ask you to, and if you cease to be yourself.
This got me thinking about my way of life and how we can all lead unbalanced lives. I’ll admit: I’m not exactly great at balance, either.
During my Master’s program, 2019-2022, I spent more than 12 hours a day studying, reading 200 pages a week, writing weekly essays, and preparing presentations. It was a constant grind, and I often forgot to take breaks, eat properly, or spend time with my family. Then came work and one project after the other.
But in 2025, I decided that needed to change. I’ve committed to doing more than sitting in front of my computer. I want to explore the wilderness I love, eat better, enjoy saunas by the lake, and make room to meet more people.
It’s too easy to get caught up in work, forget to take breaks, and get burned out.
A Final Thought
There’s a moment in the documentary where the family back home surrounds Tim. For a brief second, he’s not Avicii. He’s just Tim, a boy who loves creating music and wants to share that passion with others.
It’s heartbreaking that the world lost him, but maybe his story can teach us something: no dream is worth losing yourself.
So, as we step into this new year, I ask you: how balanced is your life? Are you chasing a dream that feels true to who you are or pulling you away from yourself?
Let’s start 2025 with a little more Lagom. Let’s protect what matters most—our balance: time to spend with family and friends and hear their stories; time for well-being, taking breaks during the day; time to dedicate to our passions and work; and time to be ourselves.
Warmly,
Diana
P-S.: Tim’s Foundation address mental health: https://www.youtube.com/@TimBerglingFoundation
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Thank you for bringing up a life story that has touched, and will continue to touch, many people. Every time I listen to his music, I am amazed at how much optimism and beauty and hope was in it, yet it did not heal his own inner turmoil. As someone who is familiar with the mental difficulties he faced, I know how hard it is to maintain balance, especially if there is external pressure. My only hope is that his music will continue to bring solace to people. Art is a transformative tool which can inspire and heal in beautiful ways and it is his legacy to the world.