The Dutch have the reputation of being one of the happiest nations in the world. But why? Is it the cheese? The (lack of) altitude? The godforsaken rain?
Having observed this rare breed of happy humans for a few years now, I think I have uncovered the secrets of the Dutch mindset. Here is a Dutch guide to happiness, but let’s keep it just between us. 😉
1. Don’t get hung up on the details
If you feel like your life is a huge mess (and it is 100% your fault), you may want to take a leaf out of the Netherlands’ book.
The Dutch don’t mess around. They don’t get hung up on complications and tackle every issue with poise and pragmatism.
This translates to their incredible time management skills. Efficiency is even applied to your lunch in the Netherlands. If you want to save time and focus on your goals for the day, try the Dutch diet: Take a buttered slice of bread, add a slice of cheese, and fold it up.
Repeat as necessary, or switch it up by adding ham or another kind of cheese or meat if you like to live dangerously. For breakfast, treat yourself to a buttered slice of bread with hagelslag (chocolate sprinkles) on top.
2. You do you
There is something very freeing (if not a tad insulting) in the fact that Dutch people do not care what you do. You could wear feathers in your hair or decide to only eat kale for a month (though I strongly advise you to reconsider), and nobody will say a thing.
You know how Americans always exclaim, “This is a free country!”? Well, the Netherlands is freer. We’re talking about a place where weed is (semi) legal and prostitution is regulated, a place where you don’t need to be Dutch or to speak the language to be treated like an equal.
@dutchreview It's always hard the first time. #fyp #dutchreview #expat #dutch #nederlands #nl #learningdutch ♬ original sound – DutchReview
On top of this, the Netherlands has got to be one of the most accepting places in the world when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community. This is really a come-as-you-are country, and the Dutch take pride in that.
3. Don’t make excuses
The Netherlands is a land of tough individuals. The Dutch have no time for faff or making excuses. Yes, it’s raining, and yes, they will still cycle for half an hour to get to wherever they need to be.
If the Dutch did let the dreadful weather get to them, they would never get anything done from October to June. This goes against the go-getter spirit of the Dutch; sure, they will spend 85% of their time complaining about the weather, but they sure as hell aren’t going to let that ruin their life.
hahaha I will never complain about polish weather again after spending summer in the Netherlands 😅
— m (@arialtina) August 16, 2022
4. Go back to basics
Again, nobody cares what you do. Nobody worries about what you look like, so there is no point in dedicating extra time to make your hair voluminous, which the rain will flatten the moment you step outside, or wear a full face of makeup. Well, unless you don’t mind standing out. Remember, you do you.
5. Chill. Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.
Chill. Not even celebrities in the Netherlands are harassed on the street. It’s a regular occurrence to see the prime minister ride his bike to work just like anyone else. The Dutch value privacy and personal space.
An increasing number of high school graduates take a gap year instead of jumping straight into studies they don’t feel 100% sure about. And if they do start studying a subject they don’t like, no problem.
People change their minds (and their degree programme) without apologising for it. It is common for someone to be in their 20s (or older) when they start studying for their bachelor’s degree.
No pressure! The Dutch value life experience. There’s no need to have it all figured out; just don’t take things too seriously.
In every aspect of life in the Netherlands, you can apply this uniquely Dutch mentality. Their Calvinist roots influence everything from their open curtains to their insistence on you paying them back for that €0.90 coffee they bought you.
What do you think makes the Netherlands such a happy nation? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in November 2016 and was updated in June 2022 for your reading pleasure.
Hagelslag is not a dessert, nor is bread with hagelslag. Hagelslag is a normal topping like cheese, ham, peanutbutter, etc.
Actually I hardly know any Dutch student that started a Bachelor’s at 23 or 24 or took a gap year.
Ageism us very very strong in The Netherlands. Typically you graduate from high school at 17 or 18 and with a degree at around 21. Someone who gets a PhD at 27 already gets the remark ‘aren’t you a bit old?’
The pressure on graduation on time is rather high, because many employers will consider you ‘too old’ by the time you reach 30.
Chilling doesn’t equal to happiness.
Wow what a bunch of grumpy replies lol
Since I was in Grade school,I already love The Netherlands/Holland because of its beautiful flowers,scenery and the country itself plus the fact-its citizens.Just recently,I am following a vlog of a Dutch husband(an Electrical & a Software Engineer)and a Filipina(Philippines)wife,who is a single parent.. I was so engrossed now with their vlog,not because the wife is my countrymen,but because of her Dutch husband and Mom-in-law-because she gets along very well with her husband and her adorable mom-in-law…I love hearing her husband speaks several Filipino words fluently,and mind you,the Dutch husband already has the Visayan(One of the many dialects in the Philippines)accent of the Filipina wife…Yes you are right,Dutch are very fluent in their English,you could even mistaken them as Americans…
Love your articles and open , keen observing attitude, don’t mind the grumpy and ‘I know better’ comments! I went to an American high school as Dutch teenager, living abroad. I admire the ‘great idea’ and ‘you can be anything’ mentality of many americans. I guess the trick is in finding a balance and not letting envy lead your life