Danish expat reveals six-year struggle to adopt European work-life balance
Brooke Black, a US-based entertainment professional who moved to Denmark in 2020, spent six years resisting local work norms before accepting that rest is not a reward for productivity. Despite Denmark’s 37-hour work week and generous leave policies, Black initially worked through lunch and vacations to prove her value. She eventually adopted the Danish concept of 'hygge' and summer house retreats, realizing that prioritizing rest enhances rather than diminishes ambition.