Stop Chasing Happiness: A pessimist's guide to a good life

by Frank Martela

LIFE LESSONS FROM THE HAPPIEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD

The secret to happiness? Stop trying to find it - it's not all it's cracked up to be.

Finding happiness is less about learning new tricks and more about unlearning ways of thinking holding you Stop chasing happiness, stop obsessing over what others think, stop caring too much about how you feel, stop making sacrifices for personal success.

Here, academic and philosopher Frank Martela unpacks why we value happiness, and why chasing it is actually making you miserable. He reveals the secrets to Finland's continued top rankings in the global happiness reports by showing that, actually, living with purpose and contentment is much more beneficial that striving to be happy.

Building on Frank's personal encounters with people from all walks of life during travels around Finland and abroad, this book blends personal stories and quirky anecdotes with the latest scientific research and ancient traditions to deliver a strong message about how you should approach what you should stop doing and what you should start doing instead, to find an enduring sense of contentment and an energizing sense of
purpose for your own life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook

199 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2025

About the author

Frank Martela, PhD, is a philosopher and researcher of psychology specializing in the question of meaning in life. His articles have appeared in Scientific American Mind and Salon and his work has been featured on Quartz and on the BBC. He has spoken to more than one hundred audiences worldwide, with invited lectures in universities on four continents, including Stanford University and Harvard University. He's been interviewed by the New York Times, Fitness, Vice News, and Monocle Observer among others. He is based at Aalto University in Helsinki.

Frank is a cross-disciplinary researcher with PhDs in both philosophy (University of Helsinki) and organizational research (Aalto University). His research has been published in numerous academic journals within psychology (Journal of Personality, Journal of Positive Psychology, Journal of Happiness Studies, Review of General Psychology), philosophy (Metaphilosophy, Southern Journal of Philosophy), and organizational research (Organization Studies, Journal of Organization Design).

Despite sounding like an academic geek, Frank is a father to three lovely children (currently 8, 5, and 3 years old), an amateur-level soccer player, and generally quite a decent guy to hang out with, who is able to communicate his message with a gusto and without academic jargon.

Reviews

[Niklas Kostiander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kävin Frankin kurssin, jossa pitkälti käytiin nää asiat, mukava refresheri! Kaikki voisi tiedostaa näitä asioita enemmän ja ehkä maailma olis sitten mukavampi paikka

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5.

This is not meant to be a self-help book. It does not tell you how to get somewhere. Instead, it offers alternative courses of action/thinking that you could consider to steer your life in a different direction. Personally, I enjoyed the read quite a bit. It's filled with references to different concepts in Psychology and Philosophy but presented palatably. I particularly liked reading about Finland and Finnish culture. I see how certain systems allow you to grow despite your circumstances while certain others strive hard to keep you where you are so that the status quo is maintained.

In short, I gained a lot of insights for the most part; I'd recommend.

A spot of bother: Early on in the book, the author mentions "the conflict in Gaza" and how he read up to understand both the Israeli and Gazan versions of the story. As a Finnish scholar, possibly far removed from the crisis, I understand that he had to do basic reading to get a better sense of what is happening. Having said that, this book was published in March 2025 and at this point, calling what's happening in Gaza a "conflict" is straight up irresponsible. I wish this was either not mentioned at all, or mentioned with more sensitivity and nuance.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not intended as a review but a recommendation. Full disclosure, I know Frank. We have enjoyed together a few of the moments described in the book, swapping drinks and happiness research. I have been thinking about writing my own book for a long time, but Frank captures so much of what I might have said, and he has a broader background than me too. I’m more of a quant., while Frank comes from both philosophy and psychology. I have already gifted a copy to one friend, yet just finished today.

[Sarah Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book that I wanted The Art of Making Memories by Meik Wiking to be. Lots of great to ideas and discussion points here, a lot is basic common sense but sometimes you just need someone to say it to you before it just clicks.

[Meri · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5⭐