Be a Person With Twinkle in the Eyes

January 29, 2026

Life has a way of feeling heavy sometimes, doesn't it? We get stuck in traffic, the coffee machine breaks on a Monday morning, or the news cycle feels like a never-ending storm. It is easy to let our shoulders drop and our faces harden into a mask of seriousness. We convince ourselves that because the situation is "serious," we must be miserable.

But what if the secret to surviving the storm isn't to fight it with anger, but to disarm it with a smile?

In Sweden, there is a culturally essential trait that helps people navigate the gray days. It isn't just about being funny; it’s about a specific kind of warmth and playfulness. They call it:

"Ha glimten i ögat."

Translated into English, it means: "To have the glint in the eye."

Not Taking Yourself Too Seriously

To have glimten i ögat is to possess a secret weapon. It describes a person who meets the world with a sense of irony, charm, and hidden humor. It is that tiny sparkle in someone’s expression that says, "Yes, this situation is ridiculous, but we are in it together, so let's laugh about it."

We often cannot change our circumstances. We cannot force the traffic to move or the rain to stop. But we have absolute control over our reaction. When you approach a difficult moment with a "twinkle in your eye," you are reclaiming your power. You are refusing to let the external pressure crush your internal spirit.

Why You Need the "Glint"

Living with glimten i ögat isn't just about having fun; it is a survival strategy.

It Disarms Conflict: Have you ever tried to argue with someone who smiles warmly and makes a gentle joke? It is impossible. The tension melts away. The "glint" signals safety and connection, turning potential enemies into allies.

It protecting Your Energy: When you take everything personally, you exhaust yourself. The "glint" acts as a shield. It allows you to observe the chaos without absorbing it.

It makes You Magnetic: People are drawn to those who have a twinkle in their eye. It signals confidence. It implies that you are bigger than your problems.

How to Get the Twinkle (Practical Tips)

You might think, "I'm not naturally funny," or "I'm too stressed for this." The good news is that glimten i ögat is not a talent; it is a habit. Here is how you can start practicing it today:

1. Find the Absurdity When something goes wrong, try to view it as a scene in a sitcom rather than a tragedy. Did you just spill coffee on your white shirt before a meeting? A person without the glint gets angry. A person with the glint laughs at the comedic timing of the universe. Ask yourself: "If I were watching this in a movie, would I chuckle?"

2. Practice Self-Irony The quickest way to get a twinkle in your eye is to stop protecting your ego. Admit your mistakes with a smile. If you trip over your own feet, take a bow. When you are the first one to laugh at your own human clumsiness, you invite everyone else to relax, too.

3. The "Secret Joke" Walk through your day as if you and the universe share a secret joke. Look for the little moments of beauty or silliness that others miss. When you engage with a cashier or a colleague, try to make your goal simply to make them smile. That intention alone will light up your eyes.

Change Your Mind, Change Your World

"Ha glimten i ögat" is a reminder that while life is serious business, we don't have to be. We are all just humans doing our best on a spinning rock.

So, the next time the world feels cold or difficult, don't harden your heart. Soften your eyes. Find the glint. By bringing a little bit of warmth and humor into the room, you don't just change your own day—you light up the path for everyone around you.