My Happy Place(s): London, Greece, Norway

I recently visited the ‘Edvard Munch: Love and Angst’ exhibition at the British Museum in London. Already a fan of Munch, I wanted to learn more about the renowned Norwegian painter – his life as well as his art. The British Museum is only a few minute walk from Russell Square, which is where I got off the Tube. Stepping onto the platform, I noticed a larger than life advertisement of Emma Bunton’s new album ‘My Happy Place’ (released on the 12^th of April 2019). Baby Spice’s fourth studio album consists of ten tracks; two are original, whilst the rest are cover versions of older songs. My favorite is ‘Come Away With Me’, first performed (and written) by Norah Jones.

 

 

The Happiest Place on Earth

 

According to the United Nations World Happiness Report, Finland is for a second consecutive year the happiest place on Earth, followed by Denmark (the happiest 3 years ago), Norway (the happiest 2 years ago), Iceland, and the Netherlands. In case you’re wondering Sweden came in at 7, the UK at 15, the USA at 19 and my home country, Greece, at 82. The report is based on a number of variables, such as real GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption (which probably accounts for the low ranking of Greece).

 

My Happy Place(s)

 

I’m writing this post sat in a café in London, the city where I have been living for the last couple of years. I have just returned from Greece, and I am looking forward to my next trip to Norway due next week. I realize I am in a happy place both physically and figuratively. How could this not be the case, since I will soon have been to three of my favorite places (London, Greece, Norway) within the space of three weeks?

 

Although I am now very fortunate to be doing this, traveling is not part of my everyday life. Reading, however, is. And I find that reading books (as well as watching films) is an alternative to traveling. For books and films can take us on journeys to faraway places; like traveling, they can entertain but also educate us. And, of course, they can help us be happy.

 

 

London: Psychiatry and Happiness

 

On a recent visit to Waterstones’, one of my favorite bookshops in London, a newly released book caught my attention. Happiness by Aminatta Forna. Not surprisingly, the first thing I noticed was the title; it was also the reason why I turned my attention to the back cover, to see what it is all about.

 

Waterloo Bridge, London. Two strangers collide: Attila, a Ghanaian psychiatrist, and Jean, an American studying urban foxes.

 

I was already intrigued: happiness, London, and a psychiatrist, all in one book. Of course, I bought it.

 

So, what is ‘Happiness’ all about? Set in London, Forna’s fourth novel tells the story of two people who meet by chance on Waterloo Bridge; a friendship quickly develops against a backdrop of central and south London locations. Using this story as a vehicle, Forna skillfully explores several themes; of particular interest to me is when she/Attila questions our notion of mental illness, especially in the context of trauma. Perhaps, however, a different title would’ve been more appropriate, since happiness is not amongst the main themes explored in the book. Nevertheless, for me, ‘Happiness’ delivers because it challenges the medical/psychiatric establishment’s assumptions about traumatic events and emphasizes the role of resilience as a protective factor against psychological damage. And this is very refreshing especially when it comes by an author who’s not a mental health professional.

 

Greece: Aristotle and Happiness

 

Another book that I’ve recently read is Aristotle’s Way: How Ancient Wisdom Can Change Your Life by Edith Hall. Again, it was the title that hooked me. First, Aristotle was born in the town of Stagira, in Halkidiki, Greece, an hour’s drive from my home town, Thessaloniki. Second, I studied Medicine at the Aristotle’s University of Thessaloniki. Third, ‘Let Wisdom Guide’ is the motto of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, which, as a member, I have embraced (and tattooed on my body).

 

The ancient Greek philosopher wrote on a number of different subjects, including happiness, which is what interest me the most, and also what Hall focuses on. Central to his thinking is the idea that happiness is not a given; we are not passive recipients of happiness (or unhappiness). On the contrary, happiness is not only dynamic but is also subject to our actions.

 

Indeed, this very much reminds me of the main principles of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT): thoughts (cognitions), feelings (emotions), and behaviors (actions) are interconnected; they constantly interact and influence each other. If one changes the way they think and/or behave, they can then also change the way they feel. All the while, CBT is a collaborative and active process, as it involves learning new skills.

 

Back to Aristotle, the basic premise of his notion of happiness, Hall tells us, is that everyone can decide to be happy. She then introduces another concept, closely connected with eudemonia: ‘αυτάρκεια’ (self-sufficiency or self-reliance). Aristotle’s view of happiness may be empowering, but at the same time, it puts the responsibility on the individual.

 

‘Happiness depends upon ourselves’

Aristotle

 

There are, of course, notable exceptions. Sufferers with clinical depression (or other severe mental illness) are by no means responsible for their suffering and their illnesses (the same way that someone who’s had a heart attack is not responsible for that). However, we still have responsibility for our recovery from physical or mental illness (by following the doctor’s advice and adhering to treatment).

 

In a nutshell, ‘Aristotle’s Way’ is far from a self-help book (despite what its title may suggest). To borrow a phrase from the book, ‘Aristotle’s Way’ may indeed offer a philosophical highway to happiness; at the same time (to borrow another phrase) it is also an intellectual inquiry, a journey, and a walk into the mind of one of the greatest philosophers of all time. For this reason, I would recommend it to anyone interested in Aristotle’s ideas.

 

You can read my full review of Aristotle’s Way: How Ancient Wisdom Can Change Your Life here.

 

Norway: Fjords and Crime

 

I first visited Norway 21 years ago. I was so impressed by the beautiful landscapes, the fjords, and the snow-capped mountains that I promised myself to return there, perhaps rent a cabin somewhere between Bergan and Oslo. However, it took me 20 years to set foot in Norway again, and I am yet to rent that cabin. Nonetheless, it seems that I’m now becoming a regular visitor.

 

 

I would be lying if I said that my love (bordering on obsession) for Norway had not been fuelled by the many Jo Nesbø books I’d read years after my initial visit. I have particularly enjoyed his famous ‘Harry Hole’ series, which includes 11 novels:

The Bat: Harry Hole 1

Cockroaches: Harry Hole 2

The Redbreast: Harry Hole 3

Nemesis: Harry Hole 4

The Devil’s Star: Harry Hole 5

The Redeemer: Harry Hole 6

The Snowman: Harry Hole 7

The Leopard: Harry Hole 8

Phantom: Harry Hole 9

Police: Harry Hole 10

The Thirst: Harry Hole 11

‘The Redbreast’ is the first of these novels to be set in Norway.

Another Norwegian crime writer I’ve recently discovered is Jørn Lier Horst. His ‘William Wisting’ series includes 12 novels, six of which have been translated in English:

Dregs (William Wisting series)

Closed for Winter (William Wisting series)

The Hunting Dogs (William Wisting series)

The caveman (William Wisting series)

Ordeal (William Wisting series)

When It Grows Dark (William Wisting Series Prequel)

The Katharina Code

So far, I have only read ‘Closed for Winter’.

 

If you’d like to read even more Scandi crime novels, check out my post ‘Crime & Fjords: 9 Scandinavian writers you should read’.

 

Happy reading!

 

Alex

(the Traveling Psychiatrist)

 

P.S. To follow my travels around the world, simply subscribe to the Traveling Psychiatrist (just click on the menu on the left hand side).

 

Further reading

 

To find out more about Finland being the happiest place on Earth, check out my post ‘Finland and the World Happiness Report‘.

 

Read more about my happy places:

 

London: ‘A walk and a recital in hip Shoreditch‘.

 

Greece: ‘Island-hopping around the Cyclades‘ and ‘Island-hopping in the Cyclades in 2 weeks‘.

 

Norway: ‘Fjords and Jazz: Norway in 9 days’ and ‘Oslo: Nesbo, Munch, Music, Opera & More‘.

 

Last but not least, the exhibition ‘Edvard Munch: Love and Angst’ runs from 11 April to 21 July 2019, and features over sixty lithographs and woodcuts, including a lithograph based on ‘The Scream’. To read more about it, check out my post ‘LOVE + FEAR, Love and Angst, & Meaning of Life’.

 

Further listening

 

Perhaps somewhat more interesting than ‘My Happy Place’ are ‘Hurts 2B Human’ (the 8th studio album by P!nk, currently number 1 on the Official UK Top 40 Albums Chart) and ‘LOVE + FEAR’ (Marina’s new album, currently number 5 on the Official UK Top 40 Albums Chart). Both albums have just been released.