THOUGHTS FROM METTE
What I’ll be doing this summer
Mette SkjærbækIt’s time to top up your cup. The summer holidays give you the chance to recharge your batteries with everything your heart desires. We’ve asked our founder, Mette Skjærbæk, about her summer holiday plans, which naturally revolve around DO YOU in all its forms, but which all share a common thread of finding that inner connection with yourself – whether through books, social connections, podcasts or dreams.
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What do you associate with summer?
More freedom, lightness and fun. I love winter for its cosiness, tranquillity and sense of presence, whilst summer gives me the feeling of spreading my wings. Spring and summer are the peak season for aromatherapy, and I fall in love with nature all over again every year.
What’s your favourite summer memory?
I don’t have one single best summer memory as such, but I picture the sea, my children, friends, sunsets, blankets, cooking, chatting and laughter, fresh strawberries, rhubarb and peas from roadside stalls.
What are your plans for your summer holiday?
I’m going to Samos for a week with friends and the children, and to Langeland with my sister and her children. Then I’ll be popping round to see my family on Funen, enjoying the summer at home and with my colleagues at work. I love spending my holidays at home just as much as I do away; strolling slowly down the street towards the beach, barefoot, feeling the little pebbles under my feet.
What are you reading this summer?
I’m going to read crime novels – I love them. It’s like disappearing into another world. I’m currently reading books by Sissel-Jo Gazan and Maggi Kempinska. I’m also going to read Rikke Hertz and Anders Hansen’s new book *Bevidsthed*. And I’ll be using *Holistic Herbal – Guide to Making and Using Herbal Remedies* by David Hoffmann, which a dear friend has just given me as a present.
I’d like to re-read Marie Brixtofte’s *Kun når det regner* (*Only When It Rains*), such a powerful and important book, and I recently came across Tine Bryld’s *Pige Liv på loftet* (*A Girl’s Life in the Attic*), which I’m looking forward to reading again.
I’m also looking forward to skin expert Anette Kristine Poulsen’s book *Better Skin with Age*. And I’m going to try out some lovely new dishes from *Kitchen Stories* by Mai Knauer. Holidays and cooking go hand in hand; I love cooking when I’ve got plenty of time.
What are you listening to this summer?
When it comes to music, I’m going to create some new playlists on Spotify – I love having the time to do that. Losing myself in the music and discovering new things. I love the playlists on the KARMAMEJU SKINCARE Spotify – I always go back to them. During my holiday, I’m going to spend time lying on a sun lounger and losing myself in the world of music. Soft house, R&B, pop, blues, classical and SOUL are some of my favourite genres.
At the moment, I’m quite fascinated by how we can release the experiences and traumas that have become stored in our bodies, so I need to find a podcast that covers that topic. I also think I’ll listen to the podcast series *In the Deep, Silent Calm of the Forest*.
Two more on my list are *Wellness with Ella* and *Astropod*. Ever since I was very young, I’ve been interested in self-development and psychology, and I love feeling that I’m growing and developing in the present moment.
And I’m really looking forward to *Hjerteflimmer for voksne* coming back after the summer holidays. I love listening to Jytte Vikkelsøe, Sara Bro and their guests. There’s something so lovely and human about their podcast.
Where do you like to go swimming in Denmark?
I live near Hellerup Harbour, so I go swimming there pretty much every day during the summer. The North Sea is wild and beautiful; Svendborgsund is my ‘childhood street’, whilst Smørmosen on Thurø is like stepping back into my teenage years. I spent a lot of my childhood on the beaches of Ærø. Hornbæk beach is beautiful and wide. I love Denmark – it’s simply the loveliest country.
Do you have a favourite haunt or spot in Copenhagen?
I don’t have a favourite haunt – Copenhagen is so incredibly rich in opportunities and experiences, and I love change, so there are always new places to visit. I love the area where I live, and after ten years in cities like Milan, Tokyo, London, Paris and New York, I feel so lucky to be living in a city that offers so much nature and, above all, the sea.
A new holiday destination you’re still dreaming of?
The Amalfi Coast is calling to me, as is Costa Rica. I dream of sailing in the Caribbean, I’d love to swim beneath the Agua Azul waterfalls in Mexico, and I’d love to go hiking in the mountains. The list goes on. I dream of making time and space to travel for longer periods at a time, once my youngest daughter has grown up and no longer needs me in her day-to-day life.
A practice I’d like to start or get better at
I’ve just started (again) writing down three things I’m grateful for every morning. Although I’m very grateful, it’s such an affirming exercise. I say ‘again’ because it’s not the first time I’ve started doing this, but now I’m giving it another go to see if it can become a regular habit.
And I’d also like to do a short meditation every morning. I have a thousand thoughts when I wake up. When I start the day by ‘switching off’ from it all, and, for example, just concentrate on visualising the flame of a candle, a wonderful sense of calm washes over my body. I do this often, but I’d really like to do it every day. Mindfulness and being present in the ‘now’ must be the most beautiful way to live.
Where do you find inspiration?
Everywhere and nowhere. It’s like a spring, a long series of coincidences that turn into ideas. Of course, platforms such as social media, magazines, exhibitions, people and so on can be inspiring, but I believe the source of genius is time and mindfulness, where one’s own mind is the source of inspiration that can create something entirely new. I’m very aware that my creativity wanes and becomes more ordinary if my daily life is too hectic and overstimulating. So, for me, inspiration comes from creating calm around me – then it’s as if I see, hear,
smell, taste and feel everything much more keenly.
What do you take with you when you travel?
Apart from clothes and the essentials, I always have a notebook for words and thoughts, for pressing flowers and for keeping a feather I’ve found or an important business card. My tarot cards and the book for interpreting them are also often in my bag. They’ve been with me since I was 18, and they always spark deep conversations when we use them. Diving goggles so I can swim far out if the sea is lovely. A couple of bottles of essential oil to create a scent in the room and/or WOOD wardrobe fragrance to hang up and add a scent wherever we end up. Books, headphones, tea and plenty of skincare to create a home spa wherever I am.
Share your KARMAmoments and be inspired by others’ #KARMAMEJU
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