I was watching a video of Oprah in Denmark and it brought back good memories. I went there to study in January 2018 and it was one of my most interesting travels. Oprah interviewed a few people why the Danes are considered the happiest in the world and all their responses were exactly the same responses I got when I interviewed some people when I lived there: Less space, less stuff, more living and more time with family and friends.
A typical Danish house or unit is smaller and simpler compared to say America or Australia. I stayed in six homes in three different cities (Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense). I noticed first hand that most people don't have a lot of stuff in their houses which is partly due to the fact that they don't have or want a lot of space. They go out more. They attend social events. They spend more time with friends and family than at their jobs. I observed that they spend more time with their loved ones compared to other developed countries like Australia and New Zealand. One afternoon, I went to a swap-language meeting in Aarhus where locals are willing to share and teach Danish language to those who want to learn. We talked for hours. We discussed a lot of topics such as the Danish government, the Danish lifestyle, education system, other cultures settling in Denmark, employment opportunities for both Danish and non-Danish nationals, among others. Education and healthcare are free. You also receive some money to go university to help with your living expenses. Unemployment benefits are very generous. People know that even if they lose their jobs, they will be taken care of. Therefore, the general stress level is low.
How can we replicate the Danish lifestyle and increase happiness? Use less space, have less stuff and live more. Spend more time with friends and family. That's why I moved from a three-bedroom house in the outer suburbs of Melbourne into a small studio apartment close to the city so I can catch up with friends and family.
I am happier.
A typical Danish house or unit is smaller and simpler compared to say America or Australia. I stayed in six homes in three different cities (Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense). I noticed first hand that most people don't have a lot of stuff in their houses which is partly due to the fact that they don't have or want a lot of space. They go out more. They attend social events. They spend more time with friends and family than at their jobs. I observed that they spend more time with their loved ones compared to other developed countries like Australia and New Zealand. One afternoon, I went to a swap-language meeting in Aarhus where locals are willing to share and teach Danish language to those who want to learn. We talked for hours. We discussed a lot of topics such as the Danish government, the Danish lifestyle, education system, other cultures settling in Denmark, employment opportunities for both Danish and non-Danish nationals, among others. Education and healthcare are free. You also receive some money to go university to help with your living expenses. Unemployment benefits are very generous. People know that even if they lose their jobs, they will be taken care of. Therefore, the general stress level is low.
How can we replicate the Danish lifestyle and increase happiness? Use less space, have less stuff and live more. Spend more time with friends and family. That's why I moved from a three-bedroom house in the outer suburbs of Melbourne into a small studio apartment close to the city so I can catch up with friends and family.
I am happier.
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