189. Jantesense reflections and friends
I like perusing the Discover section of Bear. I've noticed that some Bear Bloggers are from Scandinavian countries. Their blogs often exude a rather minimalist aesthetic, both in design and in content, which feels so distinctly Nordic. It’s as if their digital spaces embody the same principles of Jante Law- humble, unpretentious, and quietly profound.
Many of these bloggers write about their day-to-day lives with an introspective lens. It’s not uncommon to find entries about remote work, hiking through fjords, or musings on fika (the Swedish coffee break ritual). There’s something soothing about reading these snippets of life — a reminder that there’s beauty in the ordinary. They don’t feel the need to embellish or dramatize, and maybe that’s what makes their posts so refreshing.
Reading these blogs also gives me a sense of connection to cultures I admire but don’t fully understand. I've never been to the Nordic countries, so I probably cannot grasp the vibe by looking at videos and pictures. It's like being on GeoGuessr and just assessing where something is, based on the road signs and nature.
The other day, I caught up with my Danish friend, M. He had just returned from a mini-holiday in Spain and now he's in Morocco, where he’d spent his time remote working, hiking in the hills, and soaking up the hostel life. Naturally, our conversation meandered between his trip and Scandinavian culture since he was talking about the difference between all these different travelers he's met, which eventually led me to ask him about the Law of Jante and what he thought about it.
I’d always been curious about Janteloven- that famous set of rules emphasizing humility and conformity. It is so often mentioned in discussions about Nordic societies.
“Hmm, I think people make out Janteloven to be more concrete than it is,” he began. “Originally, it’s from a book or play, can’t recall which, but it kinda describes a lot of Nordic mentality. So a lot of people will say they dislike the Law of Jante, when what they actually dislike is the Nordic mentality to fitting into society.”
That distinction intrigued me, so I asked him to elaborate.
“I think it’s sensible to a degree. The idea is basically to be humble, somewhat stoic, and allow the good to come when it does rather than trying to force it. Sometimes, though, I can feel myself becoming subconsciously frustrated with people when they don’t ‘uphold the law,’ which I think is interesting.”
“Especially Americans trigger my Jantesense. I think a lot of Americans are taught to seize the world and to insert themselves, which is completely contrary to the Nordic attitude, which is all about making the most of the spot you’re given in the world.”
That made me laugh. As an American, I’m no stranger to the “more is more” mentality, and the idea of being chastised for ambition felt so foreign.
“So it’s more of a social pressure than an actual rule book?”
“Yep, and it’s not all bad. It keeps society balanced. You don’t get huge gaps between people, and everyone’s kind of on the same level. But it’s not always easy for people who have big dreams or want to do something unconventional.”
Here he was, a Dane embodying the very egalitarian ideals of his homeland, yet carving out his own path as a traveler on the road and working at the same time. He seemed to strike a balance between respecting the collective and pursuing his individual freedom.
It got me reflecting on the cultural tightropes we all walk. Jante Law might sound stifling to someone like me, who values individuality, but also I want to foster some kind of community for myself. I think my friend's perspective reminded me of its purpose: fostering harmony and reducing inequality. It’s not perfect, but neither is the unbridled individualism of other cultures. Somewhere in the middle, perhaps, lies the sweet spot that we all want to be in. Maybe Jante Law isn’t about suppression but about finding ways to shine that don’t overshadow others.
~ jantesensible,
<3 K