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The Finnish Guide to Happiness
Year after year, Finland is named the "Happiest Country on Earth". What's their secret?
If you ask a Finn, they will likely be as baffled as you are. That’s why Melanie Dower, an expat who has been living in Finland for the past decade, has taken up the charge. Her vantage as an outsider entrenched in Finnish culture uniquely positions her to identify the keys to Finnish happiness that elude the rest of the world and that Finns take for granted. From sauna to strong social safety nets, Finnish life is made up of a constellation of habits and structures that leave its residents relaxed, healthy, and fulfilled.
In this short guide, Melanie lays out the surprisingly simple and often accessible steps to living as the Finns do.
©2024 Melanie Dower (P)2024 Audible Originals, LLC.
If you ask a Finn, they will likely be as baffled as you are. That’s why Melanie Dower, an expat who has been living in Finland for the past decade, has taken up the charge. Her vantage as an outsider entrenched in Finnish culture uniquely positions her to identify the keys to Finnish happiness that elude the rest of the world and that Finns take for granted. From sauna to strong social safety nets, Finnish life is made up of a constellation of habits and structures that leave its residents relaxed, healthy, and fulfilled.
In this short guide, Melanie lays out the surprisingly simple and often accessible steps to living as the Finns do.
©2024 Melanie Dower (P)2024 Audible Originals, LLC.
Audible Audio
Published September 12, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
September 30, 2024
I really enjoyed this look at why Finnish people are so happy/content. First, it made me want to move to Finland (probably not a practical response), but then it made me want to try to incorporate these practices in my every day life here in the US. I may not be able to fix healthcare on my own, but I can make sure I get outside everyday, practice living in contentment in regards to possessions, enjoy some solitude often, etc... I also loved talking about these ideas with my family at the dinner table and deciding how our family can prioritize living well.
October 2, 2024
Last year I visited Helsinki, a solo, female traveler in a strange city trying a new culture. My impression was that everyone was very happy, law abiding, helpful and ecologically responsible. The place is uniformly clean, unlittered, peaceful and I have never felt more safe. I was out and about, walking alone at all hours and I always felt safe and comfortable.
This book explains why that is and how life in Finland is different from other countries because people think of the greater good before themselves. People in Finland are relaxed because they spend a great deal of time in nature. There’s a lot of forest in Finland, lots of water, people hike and go boating, people ride bikes and scooters, people are more interested in quality of life than acquiring things so they are less stressed. They’re like the opposite of Americans!
In fact they have a motorized scooter that you rent with an app, but they also have public bikes that you can just use on the honor system and people don’t steal or hoard them or throw them in the water! It’s an amazing country.
The author of The Finnish Guide to Happiness is an expat from New Zealand which has a much different climate, culture and way of life (at least according to the author, I wouldn’t know, not having been to New Zealand myself) so her observations are based on rather objective conclusions drawn by a newcomer.
I actually enjoyed this (audio) book so much I listened to it twice and I might listen to it again. The advice or suggestions are really good, as the yogi’s say being detached from material possessions is the key to less suffering. The opposite of suffering is happiness so maybe the Finns have something? (Pun)
This book explains why that is and how life in Finland is different from other countries because people think of the greater good before themselves. People in Finland are relaxed because they spend a great deal of time in nature. There’s a lot of forest in Finland, lots of water, people hike and go boating, people ride bikes and scooters, people are more interested in quality of life than acquiring things so they are less stressed. They’re like the opposite of Americans!
In fact they have a motorized scooter that you rent with an app, but they also have public bikes that you can just use on the honor system and people don’t steal or hoard them or throw them in the water! It’s an amazing country.
The author of The Finnish Guide to Happiness is an expat from New Zealand which has a much different climate, culture and way of life (at least according to the author, I wouldn’t know, not having been to New Zealand myself) so her observations are based on rather objective conclusions drawn by a newcomer.
I actually enjoyed this (audio) book so much I listened to it twice and I might listen to it again. The advice or suggestions are really good, as the yogi’s say being detached from material possessions is the key to less suffering. The opposite of suffering is happiness so maybe the Finns have something? (Pun)
September 30, 2024
A short (2 hour) audiobook by New Zealander Melanie Dower, who has lived in Finland for 10 years, on why Finland is often rated one of the happiest places in the world.
This is reminiscent of The Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country. While that book had personal anecdotes and discussions from various people in various occupations, this is just a brief step-by-step rundown of the main points. Honestly you could just read the chapter titles and you get the idea: Humility; Go Outside; Respect Nature; Sauna; Cold Swimming; Local Food; Self-Reliance; Solitude; Family; Education; Safe Society; Simplicity; Appreciate the Good Times. That's it. That's the Finnish secret. It's so brief that it barely goes into detail, it's just a "trust me, bro".
It's good advice, but it seemed like a cliff notes version of the Danish equivilent. That book had me wanting to move to Denmark. This book just made me go "oh, ok".
This is reminiscent of The Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country. While that book had personal anecdotes and discussions from various people in various occupations, this is just a brief step-by-step rundown of the main points. Honestly you could just read the chapter titles and you get the idea: Humility; Go Outside; Respect Nature; Sauna; Cold Swimming; Local Food; Self-Reliance; Solitude; Family; Education; Safe Society; Simplicity; Appreciate the Good Times. That's it. That's the Finnish secret. It's so brief that it barely goes into detail, it's just a "trust me, bro".
It's good advice, but it seemed like a cliff notes version of the Danish equivilent. That book had me wanting to move to Denmark. This book just made me go "oh, ok".
November 26, 2024
Τι ωραίοι τύποι οι Φινλανδοί... Με τα ωραία τους τα δάση (το 75% της χώρας, σου λέει), το κρύο για να κρατάει το δέρμα σφριγηλό και αλαβάστρινο, τη σάουνα, τη βότκα τους, τη μέταλ και φιγουράρουν στο τοπ 3 (τουλάχιστον) των ευτυχέστερων λαών στον κόσμο από την απαρχή της λίστας. Να δεις που θα κάνουν και πολύ σαικς, διαφορετικά τόση ευτυχία δεν εξηγείται (πιθανότατα στη σάουνα, έχοντας πιει βότκα κι ακούγοντας μέταλ)!
Αυτά και άλλα κόλπα ζόρικα που κάνουν στο Ελσίνκι από τη Melanie Dower που ξεκίνησε από τη Νέα Ζηλανδία για να μελετήσει την τοπική πανίδα (εντάξει, πρόσφεραν τα μαλλιά τους στον κομπιουτερά σύζυγο αλλά μου αρέσει να την φαντάζομαι ως travel blogger). Η σκέψη και μόνο μου προκαλεί γέλιο γιατί έφυγε από τη μία τελειότητα να ζήσει στην άλλη. Για να τη δω να το κάνει ανάποδα, να πάει από το Αφγανιστάν στην Ελλάδα ξερωγώ. Εκεί σε θέλω κάβουρα, δηλαδή Melanie.
Στα όχι και τόσο μυστικά του Finnish Way τελικά, συναντάμε την ταπεινότητα, την εγκράτεια, την κοινωνική συνοχή και αλληλοβοήθεια, την ανθεκτικότητα και την ανεξαρτησία. Αυτά τα χαρακτηριστικά που μπορούμε να ξεσηκώσουμε, δηλαδή, γιατί αν περιμένουμε το κράτος πρόνοιας, την ιατροφαρμακευτική περίθαλψη, τη διαφάνεια και την επαφή με τη φύση, κλάφτα Juhani. Πιο εύκολη μου ακούγεται η μέταλ...
Ας κάνουμε, λοιπόν, μια βόλτα σε ό,τι δέντρο μας έχει απομείνει ενθυμούμενοι πως Poimia rusinat pullasta (ή κάτι αντίστοιχο σε άπταιστα φινλανδικά), instructs people to not remove the raisings from the bun or not to take only the bits that we like out of life. In this way, one can live an authentic life where the good and the hard times are integrated equally.
Αυτά και άλλα κόλπα ζόρικα που κάνουν στο Ελσίνκι από τη Melanie Dower που ξεκίνησε από τη Νέα Ζηλανδία για να μελετήσει την τοπική πανίδα (εντάξει, πρόσφεραν τα μαλλιά τους στον κομπιουτερά σύζυγο αλλά μου αρέσει να την φαντάζομαι ως travel blogger). Η σκέψη και μόνο μου προκαλεί γέλιο γιατί έφυγε από τη μία τελειότητα να ζήσει στην άλλη. Για να τη δω να το κάνει ανάποδα, να πάει από το Αφγανιστάν στην Ελλάδα ξερωγώ. Εκεί σε θέλω κάβουρα, δηλαδή Melanie.
Στα όχι και τόσο μυστικά του Finnish Way τελικά, συναντάμε την ταπεινότητα, την εγκράτεια, την κοινωνική συνοχή και αλληλοβοήθεια, την ανθεκτικότητα και την ανεξαρτησία. Αυτά τα χαρακτηριστικά που μπορούμε να ξεσηκώσουμε, δηλαδή, γιατί αν περιμένουμε το κράτος πρόνοιας, την ιατροφαρμακευτική περίθαλψη, τη διαφάνεια και την επαφή με τη φύση, κλάφτα Juhani. Πιο εύκολη μου ακούγεται η μέταλ...
Ας κάνουμε, λοιπόν, μια βόλτα σε ό,τι δέντρο μας έχει απομείνει ενθυμούμενοι πως Poimia rusinat pullasta (ή κάτι αντίστοιχο σε άπταιστα φινλανδικά), instructs people to not remove the raisings from the bun or not to take only the bits that we like out of life. In this way, one can live an authentic life where the good and the hard times are integrated equally.
March 9, 2025
Audiobook: While some of the things to have a happy life like the Finnish are directly related to how their country systematically functions (and the author does point this out) there are still some good take aways.
February 3, 2025
ok ok I’ll finally go outside
May 17, 2025
Quick, interesting, and engaging. I just was hoping for some more science/psychology/data behind some of the happiness factors.
I also didn’t realize this was somewhat self help, as the author lays out things you can do outside of Finland to emulate what the Finns do. However, the “steps” to live as the Finns weren’t overtaking the overall narrative, and I found some of them interesting and possible to implement, even though I didn’t go in wanting mental health advice.
Overall, I’m ready to take a trip to Helsinki!
I also didn’t realize this was somewhat self help, as the author lays out things you can do outside of Finland to emulate what the Finns do. However, the “steps” to live as the Finns weren’t overtaking the overall narrative, and I found some of them interesting and possible to implement, even though I didn’t go in wanting mental health advice.
Overall, I’m ready to take a trip to Helsinki!
November 22, 2024
Simple behaviours to adopt to increase life satisfaction
December 15, 2024
I loved this so much I listened to it again as soon as I finished. Inspiring, grounding, and thought-provoking!
March 16, 2025
I really enjoyed this quick audible listen highlighting the happy lives Finnish people live. The author was originally from New Zealand and transplanted there about a decade before she wrote this book, so her writing is from the perspective of somebody who was introduced to the culture from the outside, not born and raised there.
The Finnish culture is rooted in practices (passed on through generations) that help them lead a thoroughly fulfilled life. I loved learning about the education system, their health practices such as sauna, cold swimming and time in nature. I was thoroughly surprised at a common household item created by a Finnish company, and another company I thought for years was Japanese, is actually Finnish! Outside of the weather and dark days of winter, I think I want to move to Finland!!
However, despite any adversity with weather and seasons, this book highlights the Finn’s’ cultural practices that help them endure those dark winters, and enjoy every morsel of sun they get throughout the year, basking in summer and 100% appreciating every opportunity they have to go outside and appreciate their surroundings and activities with others.
Another theme of Finnish culture discussed heavily in the book is equality and its social welfare system. Finland is known for its strong emphasis on equality, particularly gender equality. Additionally, their social welfare system provides access to free healthcare and education which provides a sense of security and well being for its citizens. They also have a high level of trust in institutions and a strong sense of freedom.
It’s a quick read, almost going through the tenets why Finnish people are the happiest on Earth.
The Finnish culture is rooted in practices (passed on through generations) that help them lead a thoroughly fulfilled life. I loved learning about the education system, their health practices such as sauna, cold swimming and time in nature. I was thoroughly surprised at a common household item created by a Finnish company, and another company I thought for years was Japanese, is actually Finnish! Outside of the weather and dark days of winter, I think I want to move to Finland!!
However, despite any adversity with weather and seasons, this book highlights the Finn’s’ cultural practices that help them endure those dark winters, and enjoy every morsel of sun they get throughout the year, basking in summer and 100% appreciating every opportunity they have to go outside and appreciate their surroundings and activities with others.
Another theme of Finnish culture discussed heavily in the book is equality and its social welfare system. Finland is known for its strong emphasis on equality, particularly gender equality. Additionally, their social welfare system provides access to free healthcare and education which provides a sense of security and well being for its citizens. They also have a high level of trust in institutions and a strong sense of freedom.
It’s a quick read, almost going through the tenets why Finnish people are the happiest on Earth.
December 26, 2024
As an American I will try and use some of these practices. I wish the US government would use some of the practices the Finnish government uses for the well being of their citizens. Will now add Finland to my list of places to go to
January 1, 2025
A quick audiobook to finish the 2024 reading goal.
Nothing groundbreaking but good reminders about wellness and spending time outside and alone and in contentedness. And some interesting quick facts about Finland!
Nothing groundbreaking but good reminders about wellness and spending time outside and alone and in contentedness. And some interesting quick facts about Finland!
November 14, 2024
Quick read that makes me want to visit Finland
February 24, 2025
Go outside.
Have a sauna.
Dunk in cold water.
Eat vegetables.
Oh, and make sure your government is nice and socialist with good taxes, free education and healthcare, incredible public transit, clean and protected forest spaces, and a general outlook that we are all in this together.
Have a sauna.
Dunk in cold water.
Eat vegetables.
Oh, and make sure your government is nice and socialist with good taxes, free education and healthcare, incredible public transit, clean and protected forest spaces, and a general outlook that we are all in this together.
November 28, 2025
Mmmm. I may be sorely tempted to move to Finland… A delightful read and insight into the home of the annual wife-carrying competition 🥰
June 8, 2025
Love hearing about Finland 🩵
November 7, 2024
Reading a book about a country and its citizens united in the care of all made for a very weepy experience on this, the depressing day of the 2024 election results.
November 23, 2024
This audiobook is one of the best I’ve listened to this year. It’s easy to follow, and packed with practical examples. The advice that is mentioned is simple to incorporate into daily life.
November 14, 2024
This short audiobook was my way of easing back into international news post-USA election results (Republican sweep - White House, congress and senate). I thought it might be helpful to consider an opinion (the author's) on why Finland is recognized as the world's happiest country/people, several years running.
It's a fairly superficial discussion, yet raises solid points including
- simplicity is calming
- happiness can be defined in Finland as contentment with what you've got (instead of striving)
- confidence in education, health care, and job security is a good thing for society
- a population that "likes" to pay taxes because they see the value in what the government provides is something worth investigating
- foraging some of your food, cold water dips/swims, and saunas are good for you
- truth-telling and no-drama are a Finnish way of life
A few things I looked up, to add context, include
- the fairly homogeneous population of 5.5 million people welcomes migrants at a slow/manageable rate
- Finland was a Swedish protectorate for 500 years and resisted Russian invasion several times; Finnish and Swedish are the country's official languages
- it is the third most sparsely populated nation in the european union (after Norway and Iceland)
Ok so that was interesting. I'm reminded that local politics is nice because there's a chance of knowing those for whom we make political decisions. National and international politics is mysterious and prone to empire building and tomfoolery.
That's all I've got on this listen. It was worth the few hours I invested.
It's a fairly superficial discussion, yet raises solid points including
- simplicity is calming
- happiness can be defined in Finland as contentment with what you've got (instead of striving)
- confidence in education, health care, and job security is a good thing for society
- a population that "likes" to pay taxes because they see the value in what the government provides is something worth investigating
- foraging some of your food, cold water dips/swims, and saunas are good for you
- truth-telling and no-drama are a Finnish way of life
A few things I looked up, to add context, include
- the fairly homogeneous population of 5.5 million people welcomes migrants at a slow/manageable rate
- Finland was a Swedish protectorate for 500 years and resisted Russian invasion several times; Finnish and Swedish are the country's official languages
- it is the third most sparsely populated nation in the european union (after Norway and Iceland)
Ok so that was interesting. I'm reminded that local politics is nice because there's a chance of knowing those for whom we make political decisions. National and international politics is mysterious and prone to empire building and tomfoolery.
That's all I've got on this listen. It was worth the few hours I invested.
April 2, 2025
This book captured the essence of Finnish happiness in a way that felt both enlightening and practical. It didn’t just focus on abstract ideas of joy but instead explored the profoundly ingrained cultural philosophies that make contentment a way of life. Themes like simplicity, nature, and balance wove through every chapter, offering a refreshing perspective on what it truly means to live well. There was a strong emphasis on finding fulfillment in the little things—whether it was embracing solitude, seeking comfort in quiet moments, or cultivating a deep connection to the natural world.
The setting played a huge role in shaping the book’s message. The descriptions of Finland’s vast forests, tranquil lakes, and long, dark winters added a rich backdrop to the discussion of happiness. Rather than romanticizing the country as an unattainable ideal, the book showed how its way of life could be adapted anywhere. The idea that happiness isn’t about grand gestures but about intentional living made it feel surprisingly relatable, no matter where in the world the reader was.
The writing was both engaging and insightful, making complex ideas feel approachable without oversimplifying them. There was a warmth to the narrative that made it easy to absorb, and the practical advice blended seamlessly with cultural insights. It wasn’t a book that dictated a rigid path to happiness but rather one that encouraged self-reflection and mindfulness in everyday life. Every page felt like an invitation to slow down, reassess priorities, and find joy in the ordinary.
Read more here: https://annietheinkdrinker.wordpress....
The setting played a huge role in shaping the book’s message. The descriptions of Finland’s vast forests, tranquil lakes, and long, dark winters added a rich backdrop to the discussion of happiness. Rather than romanticizing the country as an unattainable ideal, the book showed how its way of life could be adapted anywhere. The idea that happiness isn’t about grand gestures but about intentional living made it feel surprisingly relatable, no matter where in the world the reader was.
The writing was both engaging and insightful, making complex ideas feel approachable without oversimplifying them. There was a warmth to the narrative that made it easy to absorb, and the practical advice blended seamlessly with cultural insights. It wasn’t a book that dictated a rigid path to happiness but rather one that encouraged self-reflection and mindfulness in everyday life. Every page felt like an invitation to slow down, reassess priorities, and find joy in the ordinary.
Read more here: https://annietheinkdrinker.wordpress....
March 21, 2025
Maybe Finland is a bit over romanticised. Yes, it would be lovely to have all of these "free" programs and a collective notion that we're all looking out for each other, but it's not so doable on a much larger scale. The current collapse of much larger countries social programs is an indication that there isn't a common collective (years of class resentment as well as 'diversity is our strength' campaigns), illustrate there's not enough services (or funding?) for everyone. Think of the UK's NHS, or especially Canada with their promotion of MAID instead of providing mental health services. As far as if the US could have the funding for better social net and programs for its citizens, the answer is probably yes, if the federal government hadn't been using tax payer money as a pet project for special interest groups all over the world, (USAID and pointless military conflicts).
The first few chapters are definitely beneficial and we should all practice going outside, taking care of our environments, try to use less, and look out for each other, starting with our family and friends, before we can expand further out.
The first few chapters are definitely beneficial and we should all practice going outside, taking care of our environments, try to use less, and look out for each other, starting with our family and friends, before we can expand further out.
January 1, 2026
The more you go through this book, the more of it makes sense because so much of this is missing in the majority of the world from our food diets, mannerisms, authenticity, way society is run abs much more…
Good quick read book — or listen in my case with the audiobook
To Our Continued Success!
Seemy
Waseem.tv/Blog
👆🏼 P.S - If you found this review helpful - I’d like to invite you to discover more on our blog. Where the community share some of our most important insights to level up each others knowledge 💡- from experience in studying books like this, training programs, podcasts and much more - visit the blog link above to find out more.
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Good quick read book — or listen in my case with the audiobook
To Our Continued Success!
Seemy
Waseem.tv/Blog
👆🏼 P.S - If you found this review helpful - I’d like to invite you to discover more on our blog. Where the community share some of our most important insights to level up each others knowledge 💡- from experience in studying books like this, training programs, podcasts and much more - visit the blog link above to find out more.
P.P.S 😅 - You probably noticed from my profile that I’ve reviewed a LOT of books over the years now - if you love seeking knowledge like me I’d love to connect with you further as a like minded person (send me a friend invite! 😀) - Also if you are curious - here is my preferred and recommended resource for seeking timeless wisdom - Check it out via the website invite link below 👇🏼 (You’ll be able to claim some awesome books for free 📚)
https://Waseem.tv/GoodReadsBookInvite
June 18, 2025
Wasn't sure what to expect here with a short Audible Original, but I was pleasantly surprised. There is a lot key takeaways to consider here despite, what I think might be, a rather idealised version of Finland (It's clear that the writer is affluent so we may only be seeing that side of society, which is fine. Write what you know and all that.)
Possible author bias aside, lessons (and I'm paraphrasing here) like connecting with nature, be in the moment, live authentically, give each other space to be, make this a worthwhile listen.
I do believe taking a look at a culture constantly deemed the happiest in the world is something we should all do, and I also honestly think they have the right of it with digital detoxes, being able to tell a need from a want, encouraging self-reliance, and actually saying what we mean would be of intrinsic value to us all.
Possible author bias aside, lessons (and I'm paraphrasing here) like connecting with nature, be in the moment, live authentically, give each other space to be, make this a worthwhile listen.
I do believe taking a look at a culture constantly deemed the happiest in the world is something we should all do, and I also honestly think they have the right of it with digital detoxes, being able to tell a need from a want, encouraging self-reliance, and actually saying what we mean would be of intrinsic value to us all.
December 10, 2024
I'm obsessed with anything and everything relating to Nordic lifestyle, history, etc. So when I found out that I have 0.02% Finnish in my DNA I was thrilled. Listen, I know that's so incredibly slight, but even just that little bit felt like a sign that my obsession was justified, it's in my genes!! Anyways, this book was very interesting and easy to read. My only complaint is that it did feel a bit hard to translate to life in the US. Not that it should be what is focused upon, I just felt like all of the tips were super helpful, but not super attainable to where I live, so I would have liked some more content with ideas and suggestions on how to find happiness the Finnish way, wherever you live :)
May 6, 2025
This audiobook was great, it is about a woman moving to Finland with her husband and child, and her experience living there for the past 9 years.
Finland has ranked high on the happiness scale for a long period, but why is that? The author thinks that it is because their sense of community and that their taxes are high, but they pay for social programs that everyone in the country, no matter their status in life does benefits from daily that it makes people generally happy. When you can enjoy something and you know that the less fortunate can as well, it makes it better.
Governments that work for everyone make it a lot better as well!
Finland has ranked high on the happiness scale for a long period, but why is that? The author thinks that it is because their sense of community and that their taxes are high, but they pay for social programs that everyone in the country, no matter their status in life does benefits from daily that it makes people generally happy. When you can enjoy something and you know that the less fortunate can as well, it makes it better.
Governments that work for everyone make it a lot better as well!
November 7, 2025
Mixed feelings about this one.
The title made it seem (to me at least) like this was a guide on how to embrace the Finnish mindset to live a happier life. Instead it was an essay on why Finnish people are happy and why Finland is a great country.
Some chapters were useful, I especially liked how winter/dark months are considered an opportunity to catch up on things you didn't have the time to do during the summer months, thus spinning positively what could be a depressing time.
Overall, though, I didn't get many takeaways and some stuff seemed very random like the typical orange scissors and minimalist furniture...
The title made it seem (to me at least) like this was a guide on how to embrace the Finnish mindset to live a happier life. Instead it was an essay on why Finnish people are happy and why Finland is a great country.
Some chapters were useful, I especially liked how winter/dark months are considered an opportunity to catch up on things you didn't have the time to do during the summer months, thus spinning positively what could be a depressing time.
Overall, though, I didn't get many takeaways and some stuff seemed very random like the typical orange scissors and minimalist furniture...
January 5, 2025
3.75 rounded up.
This was a nice, quick guide that went over what the Finnish do to rank amongst the happiest people in the world.
I like how the word happiness doesn't exactly match the vibe they have, it seems more like authenticity and contentment.
It really helped enforce why certain things I do bring more contentment than others and that happiness doesn't need to manifest as smiles and laughing, but more with trust and peace.
It was fun to get a look into another culture and take a few pieces with me to be mindful of going forward.
This was a nice, quick guide that went over what the Finnish do to rank amongst the happiest people in the world.
I like how the word happiness doesn't exactly match the vibe they have, it seems more like authenticity and contentment.
It really helped enforce why certain things I do bring more contentment than others and that happiness doesn't need to manifest as smiles and laughing, but more with trust and peace.
It was fun to get a look into another culture and take a few pieces with me to be mindful of going forward.
January 19, 2025
76%
This book is a very good guide for living in Finland, and it gives me insight into what it's like to be in Scandinavia, and why this was recommended to me for living in this region. It's disciplined, it's supportive, it's very health-focused and uplifting, expensive, and it helps to support everyone with equity. And the funny thing to me is, a lot of people think they want, a lot of people in America, anyways, think that they want to go live in Scandinavia, and no they don't, because they act American.(corrupted transcrpit)
This book is a very good guide for living in Finland, and it gives me insight into what it's like to be in Scandinavia, and why this was recommended to me for living in this region. It's disciplined, it's supportive, it's very health-focused and uplifting, expensive, and it helps to support everyone with equity. And the funny thing to me is, a lot of people think they want, a lot of people in America, anyways, think that they want to go live in Scandinavia, and no they don't, because they act American.(corrupted transcrpit)
January 2, 2025
I just finished listening to The Finnish Guide to Happiness, and I’m pleasantly surprised by how much it made me reflect on my own life. It’s a short listen (and not my usual pick), but I’d rate it 4.5/5 stars. Hearing about the Finnish way of living and comparing it to my own circumstances really sparked some new ideas—I’m definitely considering making a few changes. I plan on listening to it again soon to pick up any insights I might have missed the first time!
March 30, 2025
This just made me want to move to Finland. I love the appreciation the Finnish have of the ordinary. I love that it’s also a right for everyone (changed from Everyman to be more inclusive) to be able to roam through nature and forage and enjoy everything everywhere throughout the country. The connection to nature is so special. I personally appreciate that nothing in this book was mind blowing to learn. It’s definitely inspiring.
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