The corrosive nature of status
And why 'self-improvement' can make you miserable
Why is Denmark frequently recognised as the happiest country in the world? It might have something to do with their cultural emphasis on ‘we’ over ‘me.’
In Denmark, overt displays of self-aggrandisement aren’t celebrated. Instead, life tends to be approached with more of an attitude of collaboration and cooperation, rather than ‘dog-eat-dog’.
I explored this in today’s podcast episode with Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen and the man who popularised the Danish phenomenon of hygge - the intentional nurturing of cosiness, comfort, and the good things in life (in moderation in some instances).
Our conversation ranged from candles (a hygge essential that my wife has really run with) to how happiness principles can transform the world of work. We discussed having a good boss, embracing job crafting, and finding flow in what you do.
It made me wonder - would podcasts with names like Diary of a CEO or High Performance resonate as much in Denmark, where the cultural focus emphasises collaboration and balance over endless striving and individual achievement.?
Meik’s answer? No.
This led to a deeper reflection: Is our incessant striving for approval, achievement, and accumulation contributing to a deeper malaise? Denmark sidesteps much of this by embracing a different set of values.
As Alain de Botton points out, much self-help either focuses on achieving more or fixing why we feel inadequate - basically two sides of the same coin. While there’s nothing wrong with exploring your potential, when it’s driven by a sense of need or validation, no amount of ‘success’ will ever fill that void.
Our worth is inherent. Like a star in the sky or an animal on the savannah, we are miraculous expressions of life itself. Truly recognise this and even the most mundane or even painful moment becomes imbued with depth and beauty.
If this resonates, I’d love you to listen to today’s conversation with Meik on A New Way of Being. We explore what makes Denmark so uniquely happy, how to integrate these insights into daily life, and the relationship between perceived status, success, and flow.
What do you make of the connection between status, success and levels of wellbeing? Share your thoughts below - I’d love to hear from you.