The Hyggelig Journey

Once, in a classroom, a professor told us that his clientele was equally divided into two parts. One part consisted of patients who visited his office out of necessity or curiosity. The other half, he told us, was made up of the ghosts of those people. The professor was not emphasising any religious experience — nothing of the sort. Rather, he was illustrating the phenomenon of emotional codependency. Many of the people who visited the clinic would report their experience to friends and colleagues, who, in turn, would only begin to take an interest as they observed changes in the patients. To some extent, this is organic and natural, but it becomes codependency when the "ghost" can only find motivation to seek care if it is entirely dependent on another person’s account. The problem with this attitude runs deep. In many cases, it is a form of self-sabotage, postponing self-care under a pretext. These individuals lack the crucial understanding that happiness is ...

Any sensitive soul will feel discomfort when witnessing their plans and efforts retreat in the face of secondary factors beyond their control. How often does frustration arrive mercilessly, marking that moment with the weight of failure? The truth is, we are emotionally sentient beings who think. We recall our experiences more through our feelings than through objective facts. This is the human element of subjectivity. Despite being a natural occurrence, this same element gives contrast and meaning as life unfolds. And, since emotions have no expiry date, it is the moments we carry with us. It is an important baggage that defines experience. However, a word of caution is necessary here — it is extremely common to attempt to “outsource” pain. In an effort to cope with negative emotions, one may block any meaning associated with them. Unfortunately, it is convenient to remain captive to a narrative of passivity, as if saying, “That person only gets in my way,” “No one underst...

Letting go of what troubles the heart is never easy. Resentment, remorse, ingratitude, and moral suffering impose themselves — their weight a scourge upon the senses, making life seem strewn with thorns. Yet, in truth, no one passes through life untouched by inner turmoil. It is a universal language, woven into every existence. Strength of character, kindness, and understanding are never effortless; they are the result of conscious striving. The peace you carry does not arise from never feeling despair, but from mastering the ability not to be consumed by it. When a person realises this — that their journey has been shaped by hard-won victories leading to this very moment — obstacles still unsettle, but suffering loses its grip. Few pause to reflect on their own virtues while acknowledging their shadows, even selectively. The danger lies in failing to recognise one's own willpower and determination — for when these are overlooked, the shadows grow and obscure the way fo...

Comorbidity refers to the simultaneous presence of two or more diseases or medical conditions in a patient. Common comorbidities include diabetes, obesity, heart disease, hypertension, dementia, and cancer. These are often described as pre-existing clinical conditions that require extra caution when assessing a patient’s health trajectory. Reframing aligns with the concept of cognitive restructuring. It is a psychological technique that involves identifying and then changing the way situations, experiences, events, ideas, and emotions are perceived. However, caution is necessary here — without proper professional guidance, one may enter the realm of reality distortion. An unhealthy example of reframing is excessive mentalisation. Many people engage in this because they believe that fixating on the details of a particular issue — such as a deadline — makes them more productive, when in reality, they are avoiding their emotions. A more humorous example is reminiscent of old C...

Curiosity naturally leads to renewal. Each new discovery refreshes our thinking, reshaping our understanding of the world. Since much of life is spent relearning how to live after each challenge, there is little room for stagnation. Growth is not a choice but a necessity — an ongoing process that thrives on curiosity and adaptation. Yet, when it comes to breaking ingrained behaviours, the truth can be surprising. I have come to realise that fighting bad habits is often a losing battle — an exhausting cycle that drains both time and energy. One could spend a lifetime trying to eliminate undesirable patterns, only to see them resurface in different forms. Instead, I have learnt — along with many others who share this insight — that replacing bad habits with good ones is far more effective. Shifting focus from resistance to redirection transforms the process into one of effortless transition. Rather than struggling against what no longer serves us, we cultivate habits that nat...

The antidote to anxiety is action. When faced with uncertainty, the mind tends to spiral, analysing every possible outcome, yet struggling to commit to a decision. This constant back-and-forth is not just mentally exhausting — it is paralysing. Indecision keeps you rooted in place, amplifying doubts and feeding a growing sense of unease. Anxiety often arises not from the decisions themselves, but from the fear of making the wrong choice. The longer you hesitate, the more overwhelming the situation feels. Over time, this hesitation solidifies into avoidance, reinforcing the belief that uncertainty is something to be feared. It is easy to convince yourself that the choice in front of you is so critical that everything else must be put on hold. You tell yourself that if you analyse it just a little longer, clarity will come. But clarity rarely appears in stillness. More often than not, movement — any movement — is what breaks the cycle of overthinking. Taking even the smalle...

We often make statements about ourselves that seem harmless but, in reality, reinforce self-imposed limitations. Phrases like "I’ve never been good with numbers", "I have no coordination for dancing", or "I could never speak in front of an audience" might feel like simple truths, but when repeated, they shape an identity that may not reflect our real potential. These beliefs act as filters, shaping how we see ourselves, interpret experiences, and interact with the world. Many originate from external influences — comments from family, teachers, or peers — while others stem from our own fears and past experiences. The problem is that when we accept them without question, they begin to dictate our choices, limiting our ability to learn new skills, make confident decisions, and embrace opportunities that could lead to growth. The impact of these beliefs extends far beyond avoiding challenges. They create a sense of stagnation, reinforcing the idea ...