Hope in the midst of trouble

The phrase 'þetta reddast' seems to make more sense when you realise that the first Icelanders mainly were Norwegian farmers and peasants fleeing slavery and death. They risked a 1,500km journey across the rough North Atlantic seas in small open-hulled boats.

They needed a level of conviction and optimism that things will work out, even if life seems hard at present. Of course, it doesn't mean everything will always work out, but they didn't let that stop them from trying.