1. Appreciation is Key.
A bike, a friend, and a good attitude is all you need to enjoy Copenhagen. Denmark is known as the happiest place on earth, but it's different than the American definition of happy. It's not a staged Instagram post of a "candid!" laugh with your girlfriends, instead it's appreciating that that life that you live is a good one. When you say, "I love Copenhagen!" the people will respond with "Thank you, we love it too!" because they know good thing when they have it, and to recognize Copenhagen it is to appreciate it for all of the good things it has given them.
A bike, a friend, and a good attitude is all you need to enjoy Copenhagen. Denmark is known as the happiest place on earth, but it's different than the American definition of happy. It's not a staged Instagram post of a "candid!" laugh with your girlfriends, instead it's appreciating that that life that you live is a good one. When you say, "I love Copenhagen!" the people will respond with "Thank you, we love it too!" because they know good thing when they have it, and to recognize Copenhagen it is to appreciate it for all of the good things it has given them.
2. Less fuss, gives more experiences.
The pure beauty of a seaport or the simplicity of a good, fresh meal creates the most organic happy moments that life can bring. Without the craziness of excess worries that we sometimes become preoccupied with, watching the sunset with your friends surrounded by boats and beautifully colored homes will make you realize that it doesn't take much to be happy with the world you live in.
The pure beauty of a seaport or the simplicity of a good, fresh meal creates the most organic happy moments that life can bring. Without the craziness of excess worries that we sometimes become preoccupied with, watching the sunset with your friends surrounded by boats and beautifully colored homes will make you realize that it doesn't take much to be happy with the world you live in.
3.Listen to Stories, Everyone has a Good One.
During my amazing time in Denmark I was lucky enough to stay with family friends Kirsten and Maria, both of which had amazing life stories (such as living in Thailand and traveling to the Fiji Islands or raising purebred horses in Ireland). Not only did they show me the most amazing parts of their country as well as Sweden, but they also provided the best conversation anyone could ask for. Compared to their experiences, life in Pennsylvania pales in comparison, but they were just as interested in my life and culture as I was in theirs.
4. Traveling the world is easy, if you make it be.
Casually telling stories from experiences around the world not uncommon in European countries such as Denmark. Coming from America, traveling the world seems like a task only completed in a Hollywood movie, seemingly impossible to the everyday person. But hearing these stories made me realize that if I make it a priority it is not only a possibility but a reality. Traveling brings an endless amount of happy memories and experiences and stories that can be repeated at dinner party after dinner party.
5. Enjoy it, because it's happening.
In the US, life moves pretty fast, to the point where we forget that we only have one life to make the most out of. We become too focused on the next move or consumed with what other people are doing to realize that our lives, and the people and places in it, are amazing gifts that only last a lifetime. In Denmark they know that, they understand that if you move too fast you'll never be able to enjoy that present and all of the wonderful, happy things it will bring to you. So, I've learned to: Stop. Look. And take it all in. Because this very moment only happens once, so why would you let it slip away?