how to relax like a Finn

pantsdrunk

OK class, I need your full attention now. Todays’s topic is

how to relax like a Finn

No, this is not another post about Hygge. Or Lagom. What I’m about to teach you is far less virtuous and way more fun. So, get your bad girl attitude on.

Right, this has (of course) been called the latest Nordic lifestyle hack, mostly by people who know nothing about Nordic lifestyle. For us Finns it’s just what we do, when we feel like it. Though preferably not on a school night… It’s more of a weekend activity, for obvious reasons.

I’m talking about the quintessentially Finnish way of relaxing, called:

kalsarikänni 1300 x 1000

Translated as ‘pantsdrunk‘ in English, it could be defined as drinking alone at home, wearing your underwear (or other comfortable clothing you wouldn’t be caught dead wearing outside your home), with no intention of going out.

Yes, it’s a thing. There’s even an emoji (actually, two: a male and a female version) for kalsarikänni:

Let’s make one thing clear: kalsarikänni does not mean that you’re an alcoholic (it’s an occasional thing, not for every day). And it’s not just another excuse for selfies in fancy lingerie or a silk robe. It’s simply a way to spend quality time with yourself. Alone. At home. In non-Instagrammable clothing. And you can have a drink without feeling guilty.

The best thing about kalsarikänni is that it doesn’t require an Instagram-perfect setting like hygge, or puritan self-discipline like lagom, or enduring tedious small talk when all you really want to do is being left alone (hey, I’m a Finn, cut me some slack: we don’t really get the point of small talk…).

In fact, kalsarikänni requires no preparation whatsoever. It doesn’t matter if your hair is a mess and you’re not wearing any make up, or if you haven’t vacuumed for weeks, or if or your clothes are still splattered across the floor 12 hours after you frantically tried to find something to wear before dashing out of the door in the morning.

And nobody is going to tell you to stick to just one glass of wine.

kalsarikänni 1300 x 1000

Yes, you can have the whole bottle if you want (or not, if that’s what you prefer, we’re not judging, either way…).

Because kalsarikänni is about letting go of the social pretenses you put yourself through when you interact with others and doing exactly what you wish you could do when you’re fed up with everything: give the world the middle finger and have a drink. Or two. Or five. Or…

Now, purists say that the drink in question should be beer, but really it’s a matter of taste. Anything goes. Well, almost anything. Forget cocktails; you’re in your jammies for heaven’s sake! Keep it simple. I’m a bit of a snob, and I absolutely hate beer, so wine is my poison (no, not the whole bottle, but certainly more than just a glass).

And snacks? Well, snacks are optional, as long as they require no preparation. You can have a pizza delivered.

What was that? CALORIES?!? Seriously? Who gives a shit?!? The whole point is getting wasted, you can diet tomorrow. Or the day after: you’ll probably need that pizza tomorrow morning…

Personally, I think red wine goes really well with raspberry dark chocolate or blueberry white chocolate. Or both, there’s no need to choose one, this isn’t lagom: excess is good.

Now, grab a glass, reach for that pizza, make sure the remote control is within reach for that Netflix marathon, or just spend hours on Instagram watching kitten videos. And relax.

chocolate

Outfits details:

nightie and socks: Marimekko

How do you relax?

Tiina

Linking up with:

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16 Comments

  1. 9 November 2018 / 4:16 am

    I need to kalsarikänni STAT. Give me chocolate, Netflix and a warm pug and I can be happy for days. This is cocooning in the purest sense.

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

    • Tiina
      Author
      11 November 2018 / 7:57 pm

      That sounds like a good plan!

  2. Arlene
    10 November 2018 / 9:04 pm

    Sounds good to me! Especially the wine part! Arlene from NJ

    • Tiina
      Author
      11 November 2018 / 7:57 pm

      Oh yes, the wine part is the best, I agree.

  3. 12 November 2018 / 4:51 pm

    I think I have just discovered that I was Finnish in another lifetime. That sounds nothing short of heaven to me. I’d even be prepared to get the blender out and make cocktails for one (in one big lot, in a jar, so I could stay seated the rest of the night!). Thanks for providing perfect permission to be happy, comfy and content – alone.

    • Tiina
      Author
      13 November 2018 / 8:35 pm

      Ha, ha! Maybe we should call you an ‘honorary Finn’?

    • Tiina
      Author
      13 November 2018 / 9:03 pm

      😉

  4. 14 November 2018 / 11:52 am

    what a lovely post!, I think that you totally rock and love your attitude!, no makeup, no instagrammable loungewear, red wine and chocolate! really relaxing!.
    However, I’m spanish, so I can’t have some wine (nor beer) without having some social interaction too. And small talk, obviously. An introverted nightmare and totally not finnish attitude! ;D
    I would love to have a whole day for myself, wearing my pijamas, eating a piece or two of dark chocolate and watching crap tv. I think I need it!
    besos

    • Tiina
      Author
      15 November 2018 / 7:49 pm

      Ha, ha! Yes, I’ve been to Spain enough many times to know that when it comes to drinking, it’s all about socialising. Yes, so not Finnish.

  5. This Main Line Life
    15 November 2018 / 2:57 pm

    That’s a great idea. Pretty dress.
    X, Julie | This Main Line Life

    • Tiina
      Author
      15 November 2018 / 7:47 pm

      Thanks! It’s actually a nightie, but I suppose I could wear it as a dress, too…

    • Tiina
      Author
      17 November 2018 / 6:47 pm

      Thanks, Jessica.

    • Tiina
      Author
      18 November 2018 / 7:25 pm

      Yep, it works… Thanks, Emma!

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