A recent conversation with my friend Moana made me re-evaluate how I approach appreciation of what life has to offer. I know this sounds like some philosophical bullshit, but I swear there’s merit. We both use the phrase “I appreciate you” frequently, usually in response to someone doing an action that is perceived as kind. But Moana’s friend, a Copenhagen local, challenged this habit suggesting it’s a bit of a verbal tic and can feel a little hollow, like you’re appreciating someone based on just one kind act, not their whole character.
His point resonated. Maybe “I appreciate you” had become a knee-jerk reaction, losing its power to truly express gratitude. This sparked my curiosity—was this a common perception of the phrase? Like any person with some absurd question I quickly turned to reddit, fingers flying across the keyboard in a web surfing frenzy. To my suprise, a whole bunch of subreddits actually center around the same phrase “I appreciate you.” Some users argued that sincerity is key, regardless of frequency. “As long as you truly mean it,” one user wrote, “there’s no harm in showering someone with appreciation.” They had a point. A heartfelt “thank you” could brighten someone’s day, no matter how many times it’s said.
Now, I still will be saying “I appreciate you,” I think that there is something special about acknowledging someone directly, with the “you” making the appreciate feel personal. However, this perspective has me rethinking how I express gratitude, especially when it comes to the little things.
Copenhagen thrums with undeniable energy. But I’ve experienced that everyone is busy doing their own thing—DIS students and locals alike—making it harder to come across those random acts of kindness. Or even further, I feel like I’ve become desensitized to the little things that once charmed me just 3 months ago. Things like Radhuspladsen, the Student HUB, or even the classic smørbød—they all have become such a part of my daily routine that I forget just how lucky I am to be experiencing these things.
The fact that it’s April 10th is reality slapping me in the face. It’s like a bittersweet cocktail: a heady mix of “so much left to see!” and a nagging undercurrent of “is this all?” But then I reflect back on the experiences and adventures I’ve had so far that I can’t help but be appreciative of this abroad experience. Maybe the same goes for appreciation—perhaps the constant flow of “I appreciate you” has dulled the impact of appreciating the little things in this amazing city. The last month my mission is to rediscover the magic in the everyday things and to find the hygge in those everyday things.
The 68 and 77 bus…EVEN THOUGH it is sometimes unreliable and causes me headaches once a week.
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This tiny corner of ROAST coffee shop where you can find me from 7:30am-9:00am most days of the week.
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My Hydro Flask & Notebook—purchased in Aarhus.
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My own bike and the little green angel on every crosswalk keeping me safe from the ZOOMING Danes on bikes.
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Islands Brygge <3. Part of Copenhagen I’ve been fortunate to call home for the fast few months.
I’m writing this blog outside a coffee shop in Nørrebro and as I was experiencing a brief period of writer’s block, I noticed the sounds around me—bikes rolling by, people chatting softly, and the occasional jogger. Even the cars. Curious about the activity, I grabbed my phone and filmed a short clip. In that single minute, I counted 14 bikes, 17 people walking, 2 cars, 3 runners hurrying by, and a whole bunch of geese honking. I’ve gotten better at appreciating the little things but it’s still something that I’m working on.
The lesson here? The city (and life) is a constant buzz of activity, even in a single minute. It’s a reminder to appreciate the little moments that make up the bigger picture.
If you’re a friend from home or school, a family member, another DIS student or just browsing, thanks for reading!
-Kyle
Here’s the video:
Chasing Copenhagen 