Simple Danish Newsletter #31

Hi friends,

Today is the third part of our series on how to effectively learn Danish. In case you missed them, our first posts were How to make learning Danish fun and energizing & Barriers to learning Danish and how to overcome them. This week, we’ll be talking about how to keep your learning journey going—for success in the long term, as well as in the short term.

Learning Danish is an exciting journey, but it’s also a long and difficult one. If you are not careful in how you approach learning Danish (or any language for that matter), you risk burning out before you reach your goal.

As we discussed last time, starting is the most difficult part. So how can you ensure you keep your momentum going? Here are some of our tips:

Avoiding Burnout

We’ve talked about how crucial it is to keep your learning approach fun and energizing. But a common reason people lose momentum is simple: burnout. It happens when you push yourself too hard and forget to take breaks. What’s the solution? Part of it is to do less so you can do more.

• Do less, so you can do more. Focus on small, manageable tasks that fit into your day without overwhelming you. Instead of committing to an hour of Danish practice every day, try 10 or 15 minutes at first. This is often enough to keep you progressing without feeling exhausted.
• Avoid multitasking. When learning Danish, it’s tempting to combine tasks—practice vocabulary while checking emails, or read a book but glance at your phone between every page. Splitting your attention means you’re not really focusing, which stretches out your study sessions without truly benefiting you. Safe to say, that’s not great for motivation.
• Add friction to your most common distractions. In last week’s newsletter, we talked about reducing friction for things you want to do (like leaving your Danish book out on the table or changing your desktop wallpaper). This week, we’re doing the opposite: add friction to tasks that distract you. For instance, log out of your social media accounts or put your phone in another room when you’re focusing on Danish. Our advice of going somewhere else (that energizes you) also adds friction to common distractions, like the urge to suddenly cook or clean when you’re supposed to be studying. If it takes extra effort to get distracted, you’re more likely to stay on track.
• Schedule breaks. Learning Danish can be mentally taxing. Make sure to schedule intentional breaks. Whether that’s a 5-minute stretch, a cup of tea, or a quick walk, giving your brain time to rest ensures you come back to Danish with renewed energy. I personally like working with the Pomodoro technique, but I use 50-minute blocks followed by 10-minute breaks, with a longer 20-30 minute break after the fourth block. I feel I don’t get enough done in the regularly suggested 25-minute work sessions.

Recharge Properly

Avoiding burnout isn’t just about doing less; it’s also about how you recharge. It’s easy to get stuck in habits that don’t actually restore your energy. Being mindful of how you recharge can help you stay on track with learning Danish for the long term.

• Make a list of what drains your energy. Be honest with yourself. Do you find yourself scrolling Instagram or TikTok when you’re tired? Do you end up ordering unhealthy takeaway after a long day? These activities might feel like quick fixes, but do you truly feel recharged afterward? In our experience, they often don’t, yet they’re where we tend to go when we have no energy left.
• Instead, create an energizing list. Make a list of activities that genuinely recharge you. Think about what gives you energy. Here are a few ideas:
  • Going for a walk
  • Playing the guitar
  • Working out
  • Listening to music
  • Cooking
  • Stretching or doing yoga
  • Being in nature

What do you think would happen if, instead of doomscrolling in your time off, you started playing an instrument, took up painting, joined a club in your city, went hiking, learned pottery, or just went for a walk? Do you think these activities would leave you feeling more recharged than scrolling social media?

By swapping energy-draining activities for those that truly refresh you, you’ll find it easier to keep the momentum going. We know these recent posts are almost more like life advice than just “language learning advice,” but we believe (and hope) they’re helpful for actually learning Danish.

At the very least, we want to offer an alternative to the all-too-common approach of just grinding harder and harder.

Learning Danish is like building a brick house. You start with your foundation, and then you continue, brick by brick. It’s going to take a while before you see where you’re headed, but the process is worth it.

Remember, this journey should be enjoyable. By doing less and recharging the right way, you’ll stay motivated and energized to continue your Danish language journey.

Happy learning!

Our Favourite Things ❤️

Song We’re Listening to

Black Power by Per Vers (Spotify, Apple) is a song about coffee. I (Rasmus) think the lyrics are very funny. Like his other albums, Black Power is full of playful wordplay in Danish.

Idiom of the Week: Mange bække små, gør en stor å

Literally: Many small streams make a big river.

This Danish idiom highlights how small efforts or contributions can add up to something significant over time. It’s often used to encourage persistence, teamwork, or the idea that even modest efforts, when combined, can lead to a meaningful outcome. It’s commonly applied in financial savings, group projects, or personal development.

Example:

Person 1: “Hvordan går det med din opsparing til ferien?”

Person 2: “Langsomt, men sikkert. Mange bække små, gør en stor å!”

Word of the Week: Helikopterforældre

Literally: Helicopter parents

This term refers to parents who “hover” over their children like helicopters, constantly monitoring and intervening in their lives. They tend to be overly involved, especially in areas like education, social activities, or problem-solving, trying to control every detail to protect their children. The concept highlights the balance between caring for children and allowing them independence.

I haven’t experienced it myself, but I’ve heard stories of parents submitting resumés on behalf of their grown adult kids or even asking to attend job interviews with them.

Example:

Person 1: “Hvorfor tager din mor med til dine møder på universitetet?”

Person 2: “Åh, hun er lidt af en helikopterforælder – hun vil bare sikre sig, at alt går som det skal!”

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We hope you liked this week’s newsletter. As always don’t hesitate to reach out if you have comments, suggestions or otherwise have questions 😊

Kram fra,

Antonina & Rasmus

Denmark&Me