INSURRECTION/ SP MPs rebel, drag Gjati to vote on territorial division!

 Kliko këtu për të tjera
Voxpress:

2026-10-12 21:40:45Lifestyle SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Many people dream of a job that leaves enough time for family, travel, and private life.

American Brooke Black moved her family to Denmark in 2020, expecting just such a change. However, it took her six years to realize that changing places doesn't necessarily mean changing work habits. She shared her experience in an article for CNBC.

Black built a career in the music industry in New York and Los Angeles, where she was available to clients almost 24 hours a day. She worked more than 40 hours a week, and work often took precedence over free time. She now works in communications strategy for startups and large entertainment and technology companies, but even after the move, she continued to feel the need to constantly prove her worth.

American habits did not fit the Danish work culture

In Denmark, she quickly noticed a different attitude towards work. Colleagues had lunch together every day at 11:30 a.m., and the workday was organized so that employees had more time for private obligations. Flexible working hours, the opportunity for parents to pick up their children during the day, and socializing on Fridays were part of the culture she wanted to fit into.

In Denmark, the standard working week in many sectors is 37 hours, while employees are entitled to five weeks of annual leave. Many workers have more favorable conditions, depending on their contracts and collective agreements.

However, Black did not immediately know how to exploit these benefits.

Accustomed to working even during lunch breaks, she initially accumulated days off because she was afraid that missing work would give the impression that she was not ambitious enough. Later, she tried to use her days off at the end of the year, when the workload increased after the summer holidays.

What was especially difficult for her was that she continued to work during the summer holidays, convinced that she would show extra dedication. However, many of the people she was supposed to work with were on holiday, so she was unable to complete the tasks she had planned. Instead of a sense of accomplishment, she felt frustrated by her assessment that she was not productive enough.

It wasn't until a few years later that she started using her vacations differently.

About three years ago, she started taking summer vacations, but still found her schedule filled with extra work. In addition to her main job, she attended music festivals, workshops, and public speaking engagements, which meant she only had a week of vacation with her family.

Her husband, who is Danish, reminded her that many families in Denmark spend three or four weeks of vacation together, uninterrupted by work commitments.

Black also struggled with the concept of hygge, a Danish term that describes enjoying simple, cozy moments and creating a sense of warmth and relaxation. Even though she bought candles, prepared knitting materials, and collected books she wanted to read, she found it difficult to quiet her mind and disconnect from her responsibilities.

The change came during a week spent at her mother-in-law's summer home. She spent time outdoors, reading, walking, and eating in the sun. Activities that had previously seemed boring brought her a sense of rest, more energy, and new creativity.

Vacations shouldn't necessarily be a reward for work done.

Black admits that he still hasn't found the perfect work-life balance. However, the experience of living in Denmark helped him realize that vacations shouldn't be something that has to be earned through extra work.

Her story shows that the work habits and beliefs we carry with us don't automatically disappear with a change in environment. Even when there are better conditions for work-life balance, it takes time for a person to start using them without feeling guilty.

After often viewing vacations as wasted time, Black is now learning that a break doesn't have to dampen ambition. On the contrary, time spent with family, in nature, and without constant planning can help a person return to work more rested and creative.


Në përputhje me standarded JTI

Video

SHIKO KANALIN NE YOUTUBE
×