Päntsdrunk may be a refreshing approach to finding joy in solitude, while in the nude.
It’s no coincidence that Finland is statistically the happiest country in the world for the third consecutive time. But unlike the wellness trends that emerged from its Nordic neighbors — the Danes have hygge and the Swedes have lagom— the Finns have a more simplistic and realistic way to happiness.
Kalsarikännit, which loosely translates to päntsdrunk in English, literally means “drinking at home, alone, in your underwear.”
It’s such a widely celebrated pastime, that Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched two emojis of people drinking in their underwear to help explain Finnish culture to foreigners.
In many other countries, this may easily be seen as a sign of trouble. Yet, this frivolous concept might be more serious than you think. According to Finnish journalist Miska Rantanen, “Päntsdrunk is considered a path to recovery and self-empowerment to help you face your future challenges.” …
Surviving the pandemic with your partner.
Our story is unique. But like many others who choose to love despite the distance, we are a product of our perseverance.
We have endured a 15-hour time difference, missed phone calls, and horrific internet service.
However, the worst of them all is that rush of yearning you get without warning. It creeps up to you uninvited and reduces you to unfulfillment.
Having someone to love, yet being apart from them is one of the worst things to ever happen to someone.
But such is the beauty and magic of love. …
My depression may be a part of me, but it doesn’t necessarily have to define the rest of my life.
About two years ago, I had the most difficult conversation I have ever had with my parents. It was the holidays, and I was coming home after a grueling semester.
The house was adorned with colorful decorations. The smell of food and liquor signaled a joyous occasion. But my parents were in no mood to celebrate. In fact, they were fuming at my betrayal.
My parents sat across from me at our dinner table. I had just told them that I dropped most of my classes. I was barely attending any of them because I was exhausted beyond repair.
There was confusion at first. All my life, I have heard that depression was just an excuse for bad kids who didn’t want to do their homework. But I couldn’t live with lying to myself anymore. …
The concept of ‘bayanihan’ believes that happiness is cultivated within a community.
My first volunteer experience happened in the wake of the strongest typhoon that hit Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. Typhoon Ketsana, known by the locals as Typhoon Ondoy, lasted about four days, causing 921 deaths and $1.15 billion in overall damages.
I was 15, then. The devastation, which was mostly sustained in the capital and its neighboring cities, plagued the entire nation. The news cycled between images of a ravaged city and its citizens stranded on rooftops as the streets turned into rivers littered with dead bodies and broken items.
Disappointed by the government’s lackluster response, the country watched as ordinary citizens from all over took on extraordinary roles to rebuild the communities. We organized donation drives, cooked hot meals, packed clothes, supplied medical kits and distributed them to relief shelters. …
It didn’t matter that he was restrictive, critical, or demeaning. He felt his religion validated his behavior.
For a brief period of my life, I was in a contentious relationship with a controlling, emotionally abusive, and short-tempered man.
Joseph, who towered over me at six foot four, was a professional soccer player. He built himself an impressive career after being scouted by different international leagues at a young age.
Yet this seemingly perfect man, with his muscle fit shirts, good looks, and glowing record, wasn’t always what he seemed to be. Behind closed doors, I bore the brunt of his deeply misogynistic beliefs.
When Being Yourself Is Wrong
For Joseph, it was only natural. He grew up in a devout Muslim household that largely shaped his misplaced ideals. …
The philosophy behind ‘fika’ and staying present.
Coffee, especially in Western cultures, has always been a means to an end. It’s mostly consumed for fuel; a boost to wake you up in the morning before diving into the workday or running your errands.
It’s so ingrained in our daily routines, but most of us rarely get the chance to savor it. This isn’t the case in Sweden. Coffee is more than just coffee, but an integral part of Swedish culture that can only be described as fika.
It involves setting aside quality downtime for drinking your coffee slowly, preferably with your friends, coworkers, or even on your own. Yet this longstanding ritual doesn’t necessarily have to involve coffee — the point is to deliberately take a break from your busy day. …
The paradox of knowing the universe is meaningless and finding meaning anyway.
It was during another day spent aimlessly indoors that I came to a world-shattering yet comforting revelation, specifically, in a single passing sentiment from Morty in Rick and Morty.
Nobody exists on purpose. Nobody belongs anywhere. Everybody’s gonna die. Come watch TV?
Any way you slice it, 2020 was a tumultuous year for everybody. We lost so many things, it was enough to fill us with existential dread.
And yet ironically, this insight from Rick and Morty encapsulates the truth about the past year and life in general. …
And small actionable tips that you can apply today.
It’s common to seek the wisdom of people who have led remarkable lives. One such man is Keanu Reeves, who’s something of a pop-culture icon, not because of any particular film, but for being Keanu Reeves himself.
Much of what we know about his offscreen persona has been told or reported by others, in part because of his desire for privacy.
Yet perhaps it’s also why we’re so drawn to him. In a time rife with cynicism, hopelessness, and selfishness, he comes across as humble, kind, even almost heroic in every sense of the word.
With that in mind, here are some of my favorite quotes from Keanu Reeves that perfectly encapsulates how to live an authentic and wholesome life. Hopefully, by the end, you’ll be moved to apply these lessons to your life as well. …
A lack of empathy hurts all of us. Without it, we would never understand others nor be understood by them.
When I was younger, my grandfather and I made a pact together to get him to quit smoking. We would watch his favorite boxer on his old television, and every time he lost a match, my grandfather would refrain from smoking.
Interestingly enough, every time I was over, his favorite boxer would lose. And every time, my grandfather kept to his word. I didn’t know it then, but eventually, I found out that he was letting me win by playing a recorded match over and over again.
This display of compassion and understanding—also known as empathy — has existed for a long time. Evolutionary biologist Dr. …
Find us at Love Theory & Mind Theory
Happy new year, everyone!
First and foremost, we want to thank all of you that have submitted to our publication Acclaimed. Rest assured, we are incredibly grateful for the amazing stories we’ve received and published, and even more grateful to the talented people we’ve met and worked with.
However, over the last few months, we’ve realized the publication was too broad, and therefore, inefficient in targeting and growing an audience. As such, we’ve decided to restructure the publication to make it more accessible and efficient in delivering the content that people are searching for. …
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