I'm offf for a week to the happiest country in the world.

Since I started this blog more than two years ago, I've never taken a break for more than a day or two. But this afternoon I'm leaving on a family vacation, and have made the momentous decision NOT TO TAKE MY LAPTOP.

I'm actually feeling a little separation anxiety!

We're going to visit some friends who live in Denmark, which, by utter coincidence, happens to be ranked the #1 happiest country in the world, according to recent studies. So although I won't be posting to my blog, I will be doing continual happiness research.

I love having my laptop with me at all times, and I feel a constant need to write, but it is definitely an inclination that pulls me away from my family. I'm constantly sneaking off to add just one note to this or that document. In fact, at this very minute, everyone is making pancakes, and I'm typing this.

So I decided that for this vacation, I'd leave the laptop behind so that I could enter into the moment better. I will report back in a week.

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Check out my new one-minute internet movie, Secrets of Adulthood.

Comments

[Alex Fayle]

Congratulations on the decision to not take the laptop. I've done that before but then end up checking email and the blog (or adding to the blog) while I'm on vacation via internet cafes.

Yes, I'm addicted...

[Tim]

Good for you, Gretchen! I left my laptop at home when I went on vacation in the Colorado mountains a couple of weeks ago. I ended up getting *more* writing done, and it was better focused because I wrote it all on a legal pad.

BTW, my family's planning to go to Denmark next year, so I'll be eager to learn what sort of reactions you have to your trip.

Bon voyage!

[Jaydee]

Just maybe you will love the time without it so much you will make it a routine...like "having a date nite" or "family time without the laptop." I panic if I leave the house without a book in hand. Seems time spent just staring off into space is wasted. Have a wonderful trip!

[Don]

Good decision. I'm sure you have notebook & a pen to use as a journal - equally as good a tool, possibly even better. I really enjoy the Happiness Project. It has coincided with my rekindling of happiness so it's great to read your experiences. Have a great holiday, my experience of Scandanavia was fantastic, I hope yours is as good.

[Morten Eghoej]

Hey.
I am a guy from Denmark , who ready your blog and enjoys it. I do not know what kind of visit you are going to have in Denmark but my parents have a farm holiday just outside Copenhagen and they are some really happy Danish citizens.

I am currently in California, as an exchange engineer but if I were in Denmark, I would liked to meet up with you and have a talk about the Danish way of living.

Feel free to contact my by email if you want to meet up with me parents and if you have questions about Denmark.

I wish you a good holiday in my country :-)

[Teresa]

Hope your trip is relaxing, wonderful, and...happy! I want to take this chance to tell you how much your blog, and newsletters now, have come to mean to me. I'll miss it for a week, but I'm sure you'll come back with fresh insights to enlighten us.

[Mia]

I am a faithful fan and just wanted to wish you a wonderful, restful vacation. I think you deserve the best! Can't wait to hear of all the happy stories.

[Michael]

Hey Gretchen, don't forget to make t-shirts that say "Happiness Project" or "Get Your Happiness Here" and then make your husband and daughters wear them every day. Think of all the great comments you will get from the happy Danes that you can then share with all us readers.

JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have a great time.

[Linda]

Fabulous idea. Safe and happy trip to you!

[Doris]

Hi Gretchen, this is my first time back on your blog after awhile, so just wishing you a wonderful holiday! Thank you for your inspiration, hope you and your family will have a great time. Maybe a little experiment to see how mackerel, aquavit and smorrebrod affects happiness levels? ;-) All the best, Doris

[Gerry]

Hello Gretchen,

Have a great time!

Gerry (60)
Netherlands

[Sharyn]

Have a happy and safe trip!
I think what will happen is that you will jot down tons of insightful longhand notes, with better clarity while "free" of the internet distraction.
I think we tend to make ourselves feel like we're "missing out" when we're unplugged, but the truth is we can be missing out on stuff that can be a lot more important when we are "plugged in".
P.S. I was in Manhattan last week, and I thought a lot about how happiness can be affected by where you live - you rub off on me a lot!

[Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D.]

You are brave to leave your laptop behind. I have yet to do that, but even when I take it I don't always use it once I'm engaged in the trip's activities.

But don't despair! If you get a gigantic urge to write a post or two, I bet there are Internet cafes all over the place. Tee hee!

[Meg]

Bon Voyage Gretchen,
Don't stress over the laptop, if you miss it, go to an internet cafe, if not, be happy that you connect work to New York. After all th happiness work you've done, you don't want to find out that you have an addiction. Right?

[thesharkguys]

I highly recommend 'In Pursuit of Happiness: Better Living from Plato to Prozac' by philosophy prof Mark Kingwell from the University of Toronto.

[thesharkguys]

I also shamelessly recommend my own book, The Man Who Scared a Shark to Death and Other True Tales of Drunken Debauchery (Penguin) and blog, www.thesharkguys.com

[Ole Høegh]

Let me know if you'd like a cup of coffee in Copenhagen :-)

Enjoy your vacation

[Jes]

Good for you! I know I spend way too much time online, to the detriment of other relationships. I bet you'll have a wonderful time being "unplugged" and just enjoying your family and vacation. I'm taking a vacation next week, and have been debating whether to bring my laptop, but I think just enjoying time without it is a great idea. Have a fantastic trip, I can't wait to read about it on your blog.

[bonnie]

Excellent. This is the opportunity I've been waiting for to delve into the archives!

Have fun!

[Pete]

Best of luck to you. Traveling always stimulates the mind. Enjoy!

http://yinvsyang.com/

[Karl Staib - Your Work Happiness Matters]

Have a great trip! I look forward to your new ideas when you come back.

[Ohm - Simp.lis.tic Zen]

Denmark is a georgeous country and the people are indeed a happy lot. If the weather is good you will love sitting outside and enjoying the world go by.

They've got these cool free bicycles in Copenhagen. You just grab them and ride through town at your own leisure. I think they cost a few dollars for half a days rent and when you return them to any of the stands your money will be returned.

At least that is how I remember it. Enjoy ;-)

[Michael]

The public bicycle program started in Paris, where it is awesome, and is now spreading. London and Chicago are moving toward adopting it as well.

[HIB]

Cool, Denmark! Have fun and have a safe trip!
-HIB

[fuz]

I TOO am feeling some separation anxiety, because I am EAGERLY awaiting your next post. I have shared your blog with so many of my friends and relatives and usually start my day with it. I am so very happy for you and your family taking this vacation, but selfishly I will be awaiting your return! HAVE A SAFE RETURN!