Helen Russell

It’s no wonder Danes are so happy. They have an obscenely good quality of life. Yes, it’s expensive here. But it’s Denmark – it’s worth it. I don’t mind paying more for a coffee here because I know that it means the person serving me doesn’t a) hate me or b) have a crappy life. Everyone is paid a decent wage, everyone is looked after, and everyone pays their taxes, just as I pay mine. And if we all have marginally less money to buy more stuff that we don’t really need anyway as a result, well I’m starting to think it’s a deal worth making.

Nul n'est parfait. Chaque pays a ses défauts. Mais ces pages rendent un hommage sans réserve aux meilleurs aspects de leur culture et aux plus belles expressions de leurs caractéristiques nationales, ce que nous devons en garder.

'Reframing is useful,' adds Ilona, 'because no matter what our situation, we're working for a reason: our work has meaning. Most of us are working to contribute to our well-being and security, or that of others. It may not be fun every day, but there's still a useful purpose in it.' If we're losing sight of this, it's time to think about what motivates us.
'Studies show that the majority of people aren't primarily motivated by money anymore, ' says Ilona. ' It's recognition, praise, being helpful and working with a good team that drive the majority. So if we seek out employment that fits with our values, we're more likely to be happy at work. To be fulfilled in our careers, we need to identify what we want.
We have to know ourselves.

'If you have so many possessions that there are rooms in your home you're no longer able to use because they have so much stuff in them, that's classed as hoarding. If there's an increased risk of falls or fires or other hazards because of the amount of stuff you have _ then you have a problem'
There have been no falls or fires _ and our rooms are , so far, serviceable. But my husband comes from a family of stuff-fans. We lost the dog under a pile of crochet during the in-laws' last visit and didn't realise where he was until a craft project starting loping around the kitchen like a drugged Loch Ness Monster.