Humans’ resilience in dark times: How people in the Arctic Circle navigate extreme darkness

My thesis sprung from my interest in thinking about how people can be happier— how societies and systems and norms can set people up to feel better. I landed on my specific topic after talking with my friend, Sammi, who studied abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. Late last spring, I asked her if spending the winter in Denmark was depressing because of its extreme darkness. She said no, that people in Copenhagen fare well in this period of darkness and cold by spending time at cultural events together, creating light shows, and fostering a communal spirit by biking around the city. Months after this conversation, I continued to think about what she said. I became fascinated by the idea that people could rally together to find joy and conviviality in a time that might otherwise be rife for seasonal mood disorders. So, with an eye towards the North, and excited by the prospect of exploring how we can improve our lives by learning from those in challenging conditions, I set off to write my thesis.