Stock·holm syndrome or capture-bonding (noun) \ˈstäk-ˌhō(l)m-\
A psychological phenomenon in which hostages express empathy, bond with, identify with and have positive feelings towards their captors, sometimes to the point of defending them.
Well, I quite clearly have this syndrome and now that I am based a mere 35 minutes from Stockholm, I jump at every opportunity I get to visit the Swedish capital. True to the symptoms I find myself bonding with, identifying with and having positive feelings towards Stockholm each time we meet – yes, it has taken me hostage.
Today I expressed empathy for Stockholm and all of its beautiful architecture with a stroll through the city.
I then bonded with the city by enjoying a morning fika session of coffee and baked delicacies.
I then identified with my captor by visiting Moderna Museet – up there with MoMa and Musee d’Orsay in terms of my favourite art museums.
cARTboard perhaps?
And my positive feelings were only further confirmed by an afternoon of shopping and sushi.
I love you, Stockholm.
