I went to see this attraction called 'The Little Mermaid' out here in Copenhagen. Reading the online description, a smallish sculpture of a womanly figure on a rock in the water facing the promenade, I knew it wasn't something I was particularly keen on. There are many things I am not fascinated by that people seem to be. But there is always this pressure to like what they like, do what they do. I was asked by different friends if I had been to see the little mermaid. You can't tell them, no, I haven't, because I don't really feel that excited about it. Instead, you have to at least pretend to want to see it. You know, because everybody does? Because how can you know beforehand you won't enjoy it? Because that's a major sightseeing spot? etc. That's what they'll tell you.

Sometimes I feel like a spectator watching a show when I am around hordes of people. Like an alien from another planet. I see all these performances, displays, tricks, games, fakeries, masks... People at the little mermaid were busy taking photos, selfies, so on. It was so crowded with tourists, all of them trying to do the same thing. I did too. I was there for the express purpose of showing people I visited it ;) I had ticked the box! And that made me think about how much of our lives are spent ticking boxes for other people. We get so used to it that perhaps we don't even know anymore, what is it that ticks my box? It's hard to live a life doing things that tick your own unique boxes because people will always make you feel like you are ‘missing out’ if you aren't ticking theirs, if you are following your own drumbeat so to speak... But it is still worth it, compared to the alternative, I’d think.