Pantsdrunk: Kalsarikanni audiobook

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 5Pantsdrunk: Kalsarikanni: The Finnish Path to Relaxation by Miska Rantanen is a very peculiar little book. You kind of just get thrown into this thing that is pantsdrunk without really knowing what is going to happen.Pantsdrunk is a Finnish relaxation technique (that I had never heard of), which to us here in the US is basically hanging out in your comfiest clothes or underwear and having a couple of drinks while listening to music, reading, or just hanging out. Pantsdrunk is usually done alone, but it can also be done with a friend or two. The point of pantsdrunk isn't to get drunk either and you aren't supposed to have a hangover in the morning. Nor should you be partaking in pantsdrunk every night because if you are that is the sign of a problem. I enjoyed learning all about the pantsdrunk technique and it was a pretty entertaining little book. Definitely not something I would normally read, but fun nevertheless. Plus the cover is so pretty and really gives you the feel of what pantsdrunk looks like. There are also some fun little statistics and polls that I enjoyed.Final Thought: I think you would categorize this book as satirical nonfiction, but I'm not positive so don't quote me on that. I think this would be a good choice for someone looking for something short that doesn't take itself too seriously. Pantsdrunk in 3-ish words: Light, Entertaining, Easy-to-Read

This is by far the best Nordic-life inspired book I've read! The art of Pantsdrunk is something I've been doing for years now, and I'm so glad it has an official name. This book was funny and marvelous. I will be recommending it to everyone, forever.

Päntsdrunk is one of the funniest self help books I've ever read. It is shameless and delightful. It is a philosophy that encourages "spontaneous bathing, belching, intent nose-picking, air guitar-playing, singing, leisurely masturbating, flatulating, talking to yourself, or screaming into a pillow" (page 31). That is the kind of realness that I wanted to be served. As wonder as it is to be told to exercise and journal everyday it is also wonderful to have the beauty in my disgusting habits praised on occasion. Before you go off thinking that this book is just for humor, it is important to note that the author, Miska Rantanen, is the director of the Norra Haga Party Central Institute, which appears to be some kind of non-prophet (I cannot read Finnish). "He has spent fifty years researching the Finnish way of life" is all that his bio says. I trust him to write about his own culture. Outside of enabling our base desires to be gross in solitude, this book does something that humorless self help books like Finding Sisu: In Search of Courage, Strength, and Happiness the Finnish Way do not--it advocates for people who are feeling stressed, dependent, or otherwise unwell to seek actual medical attention. It is almost like the author cares about mental health! The book itself is beautiful. The illustrations are both beautiful and whimsical without distracting from the info graphs and photographs included. What is also awesome about this book is that it is littered with funny little testimonies. A personal favorite is from an individual identified as only "woman, 42, CEO". "I joined the Social Democratic Party while päntsdrunk. I read the original party platform from 1903, cried a little, and then joined. I'm still a member." (page 163). Anyone who knows me in my personal life can vouch for the fact that this kind of behavior is iconically me. Self help should be about growing as yourself, not becoming a drone or a knock off version of somebody else. Pantsdrunk enables this. But what really is Päntsdrunk? It can't be as easy as just getting drunk naked and alone. That is answered as well. The most accurate representation of pantsdrunk is, however, to be found in the Coen brothers' cult classic The Big Lebowski (1998). At 32 minutes, there's a scene where the protagonist, the Dude, is lying on the rug, listening to 1987 Venice Beach Bowling League playoffs on his Walkman after downing White Russians. Focus, bliss, contentment!" (page 78). If the Dude abides, we should too.

Quick and easy read! Started reading at about 8pm and finished just after 1am (with a few breaks in there.) I was happy to learn about this Finnish Tradition!

This ended up being a more thoughtful read then I expected. Yes it’s about being home & enjoying a yummy adult beverage while being in pjs & wool sox (the latter part is strenuously stressed). But it’s also about being comfortable in your own skin & knowing when your body needs the down time. The Finns do know what they are talking about!

Positiivinen yllätys tämä kirja, kalsarikännit on best.

I wasn’t planning on reading this book, but I saw it at the library while I was picking up another book and figured why not. It was worth a quick read! Initially I was skeptical because it seemed like this was just a Finnish attempt to hop on the hygge and lagom trend. But it is a real thing and I agree with Rantanen’s characterization that this is a more accessible form of relaxation for some people than hygge or lagom. It’s also a practice I feel like I’ve engaged in at times unknowingly. It is a very individual experience, intentionally, and you can really customize it to fit your life. While most of the book discusses the inclusion of alcohol in your practice, you actually don’t need to have alcohol. It really is about surrounding yourself with the things that make you most relaxed (snacks, good movies/tv, wool socks, etc.) I also appreciated the section on incorporating this while traveling. I travel a lot for work and am always lonely and anxious in hotels alone. This could be my new go to so I relax and try to enjoy my nights in hotels! This summary of “Pantsdrunk” really stuck out to me.“Pantsdrunk is the perfect antithesis to forced maintaining of face and facades, and as such, can be an incredibly healing and liberating experience”. I’ll keep this in mind when I want to indulge in this practice next time. I should probably also read those books on hygge and lagom just to see what they say. Really quick read, definitely recommend.

Being Scandinavian and a quarter Finnish myself, I loved this book very much. Kalsarikanni, or pantsdrunk as it's translated, is all about relaxing without socio-cultural inhibitions. Alcohol helps this. As an Aspie also, I'm actually eager to try this, since it's a type of relaxation that doesn't involve any kind of excessive socialization, it stresses being yourself, involves comfortable clothes that have nothing to do with fashion, and above all, it's about doing nothing. Which is something I actually have some trouble with. I feel that if I am not accomplishing something then I am at best wasting time, and at worse failing at... something. So an activity that actively promotes setting no goals is something I think would be good for me and, as the author says, if you do end up accomplishing something it's a bonus. Pantsdrunk also involves some of my favorite activities, like reading, binge-watching, listening to favorite music, watching random videos on youtube, perusing sites like Pinterest or Facebook and just likeing things. There is also a crap load of fun Finland facts, like how Finland is the second best place in the world to be a girl, or that Finland has almost as many saunas as it has people. And if you have issues with alcohol, whether a substance abuse problem or one of religion/personal origins, the last chapter discusses pantsdrunk sans alcohol.

I admit I have been drawn in to hygge, KonMari and similar lifestyle books. I've read most of them, and even applied concepts to my life (especially hygge). I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it read as both 1) satire of such books and 2) practical guide to a lovely evening at home pantsdrunk. Some hilarious lines and lists. Enjoyable!

Very funny. Author clearly shows intelligence and a great sense of humor. Many angles taken at describing the Pantsdrunk technique are not so far away from topics found in a Buddhist guide book to happiness. Well, OK, they're miles away from each other but the core values for internal peace seemed similar to me. I totally recommend this as a fun, fast and Finnish journey to happiness.

A good, fun read that actually does make you want to lock the doors, close the curtains, turn on the TV, and waste hours flipping through social media while simultaneously working your way through a full-bodied bottle of red, wearing only your underwear.