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How To Be Ferociously Happy: and other essays
When you were born you took deep breaths right away. You proceeded to accomplish truly complicated things: you learned to talk and walk and write. Language is complex and daunting and you did it. You already come equipped to be good at many things. The ability to pick them up is part of your original composition. Trust that.
192 pages, Paperback
Published December 3, 2016
139 people are currently reading
696 people want to read
About the author
Dushka Zapata
28 books275 followersAfter working for more than 20 years in the communications industry, Dushka noticed a theme.
People find it very difficult to articulate who they are and what they do.
This holds true for both companies and for individuals.
For companies, this is an impediment to the development of an identity, a reputation, a brand.
It makes it hard for customers to see how companies are different from their competitors.
For individuals, in a new world order of personal brands, it makes it hard to develop one that feels real.
This is the focus of Dushka's work: she helps companies and people put into simple terms who they are, what they do, and where to go next.
Her work comes to life through message development, presentation training, media training and personal brand development.
It comes to life through executive coaching, workshops and public speaking.
It comes to life through what she writes.
Dushka has written nine books:
How to be ferociously happy and other essays
Amateur: an inexpert, inexperienced, un-authoritative, enamored view of life
A spectacular catastrophe and other things I recommend
Your seat cushion is a flotation device and other buoyant short stories
Someone destroyed my rocket ship and other havoc I've witnessed at the office
How to build a pillow fort and other valuable life lessons
You belong everywhere and other things you'll have to see for yourself
Love yourself and other insurgent acts that recast everything
Feelings are fickle and other things I wish someone had told me.
Dushka writes every day on question and answer site Quora and has also published an e-manual that outlines step by step how to write a book.
People find it very difficult to articulate who they are and what they do.
This holds true for both companies and for individuals.
For companies, this is an impediment to the development of an identity, a reputation, a brand.
It makes it hard for customers to see how companies are different from their competitors.
For individuals, in a new world order of personal brands, it makes it hard to develop one that feels real.
This is the focus of Dushka's work: she helps companies and people put into simple terms who they are, what they do, and where to go next.
Her work comes to life through message development, presentation training, media training and personal brand development.
It comes to life through executive coaching, workshops and public speaking.
It comes to life through what she writes.
Dushka has written nine books:
How to be ferociously happy and other essays
Amateur: an inexpert, inexperienced, un-authoritative, enamored view of life
A spectacular catastrophe and other things I recommend
Your seat cushion is a flotation device and other buoyant short stories
Someone destroyed my rocket ship and other havoc I've witnessed at the office
How to build a pillow fort and other valuable life lessons
You belong everywhere and other things you'll have to see for yourself
Love yourself and other insurgent acts that recast everything
Feelings are fickle and other things I wish someone had told me.
Dushka writes every day on question and answer site Quora and has also published an e-manual that outlines step by step how to write a book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
February 10, 2017
To call this a "book of essays" is a bit generous. It's really a self-published booklet that reads like a collection of blog posts. That said, the author writes well, with enough humor and wisdom and personality to make me glad to have engaged with her thoughts. Each of her "essays" is a bite-sized mix of aphorism, metaphor, anecdote, and common sense in which she riffs fluidly on big and small questions about life and how we live it.
This author writes from the perspective of a woman who is introverted and imperfectly mindful, who has both an adventurous intellect and a zest for quiet rituals, who loves humanity and hates crowds, who loves books and coffee, who gingerly yet bravely embraces vulnerability and spontaneity. Depending on how well you connect with such an author, your mileage may vary.
This author writes from the perspective of a woman who is introverted and imperfectly mindful, who has both an adventurous intellect and a zest for quiet rituals, who loves humanity and hates crowds, who loves books and coffee, who gingerly yet bravely embraces vulnerability and spontaneity. Depending on how well you connect with such an author, your mileage may vary.
April 27, 2017
Zapata's writing is like cheesecake. Small bite once in a while tastes good, but if you have too much of it at once, you will want to throw up. I read her answers on Quora which I really liked (because of the small bites!), but finishing reading this book is too much for me. How many stars depends on how you read this book. I finishes it in less than 3 days so I give it 2 stars. But if I take a small bite once in a while, it can be 4 stars.
February 26, 2020
I read this book primarily because I've seen Dushka's writing on the Internet for a year or two, and liked it enough to be curious about what's in her book.
It's a ~150 page collection of short essays, mostly focusing on what I might, for lack of a better term, call self-development. Dushka talks about relationships. About depression. About happiness. About finding meaning in your life. About handling loss. About yoga and about coffee, to name a few things.
Most of the essays are short, generally less than 4 pages, and some are less than a half-page.
What I like most about this collection is that Dushkas general attitude towards life and the events in it is both kind and warmhearted.
When I still give this collection "only" 2 stars it's because the book still to some degree feels as if it's not-quite-finished. In particular, the book repeats itself sentence for sentence in a few places. That's understandable given the source of many of these essays, but I think the book would still benefit from editing these things out; where two or three essays repeat the very same sentences, I think that's mostly a sign that those 2-3 essays should be edited together into one.
This would also help reduce another of the drawbacks of the book: the essays are short, so even though it's a thin book, there's still *many* of them; (more than 50) it doesn't seem that they're sorted in any particular sequence either, so at the moment the book feels a bit like jumping randomly from one short essay to another with high frequency.
It's a ~150 page collection of short essays, mostly focusing on what I might, for lack of a better term, call self-development. Dushka talks about relationships. About depression. About happiness. About finding meaning in your life. About handling loss. About yoga and about coffee, to name a few things.
Most of the essays are short, generally less than 4 pages, and some are less than a half-page.
What I like most about this collection is that Dushkas general attitude towards life and the events in it is both kind and warmhearted.
When I still give this collection "only" 2 stars it's because the book still to some degree feels as if it's not-quite-finished. In particular, the book repeats itself sentence for sentence in a few places. That's understandable given the source of many of these essays, but I think the book would still benefit from editing these things out; where two or three essays repeat the very same sentences, I think that's mostly a sign that those 2-3 essays should be edited together into one.
This would also help reduce another of the drawbacks of the book: the essays are short, so even though it's a thin book, there's still *many* of them; (more than 50) it doesn't seem that they're sorted in any particular sequence either, so at the moment the book feels a bit like jumping randomly from one short essay to another with high frequency.
June 5, 2016
As a general rule I do not like self-help books. I say this because this is loosely the tier where I'd place it, and I am loth to admit just how much I liked it.
To be blunt (and perhaps unfair) it is just a collection of Quora answers. I am a fan of her answers on Quora, and I have read a lot of her content. I was curious how this works out as part of a book, and I was pleasantly surprised. It is just a collection of essays, says the author, and that's how it reads. Each talks of life experiences she has had, talks about them. We imagine our lives as they play out, and imagine the different ways they might have done had some little thing been different. This is that imagination yanked into the real world. When you actually do what you think. And you might not agree with everything she says, but you can feel the conviction behind the words.. and you cannot help but admire such conviction.
I find myself agreeing with a lot of the things she says. My gripe with these things is that most of it is stuff we already know and understand but look for someone else's voice to hear it in. I suppose it really is a comfort.. but what got me was the simple, earnest effort to tell her own story and let the reader do what they please. This is just a collection of essays, read it and make of it what you will.
To be blunt (and perhaps unfair) it is just a collection of Quora answers. I am a fan of her answers on Quora, and I have read a lot of her content. I was curious how this works out as part of a book, and I was pleasantly surprised. It is just a collection of essays, says the author, and that's how it reads. Each talks of life experiences she has had, talks about them. We imagine our lives as they play out, and imagine the different ways they might have done had some little thing been different. This is that imagination yanked into the real world. When you actually do what you think. And you might not agree with everything she says, but you can feel the conviction behind the words.. and you cannot help but admire such conviction.
I find myself agreeing with a lot of the things she says. My gripe with these things is that most of it is stuff we already know and understand but look for someone else's voice to hear it in. I suppose it really is a comfort.. but what got me was the simple, earnest effort to tell her own story and let the reader do what they please. This is just a collection of essays, read it and make of it what you will.
March 13, 2023
Someone on LinkedIn recommended that I read Dushka Zapata. And Kindle Unlimited obliged. Zapata, in her writing, reminds me of the newsy writing from say Nikita Gill or Rupi Kaur. Bold, explorative, tender words laying bare our vulnerability. But that’s the good. And it’s good for large bits. But I found the ‘essay’s to be a tad repetitive, the insistence for some reason on not naming the only other character mentioned in these essays: Boyfriend.
It irritated me. And she lost me in that essay where she says, ‘everything happens for a reason’ or something to that effect. No, Zapata, no. That we don’t.
But I am curious to read more of her work. Why? I am strange that way.
It irritated me. And she lost me in that essay where she says, ‘everything happens for a reason’ or something to that effect. No, Zapata, no. That we don’t.
But I am curious to read more of her work. Why? I am strange that way.
June 9, 2016
This woman is the epitome of positivity!!
Personally it was like reading something I usually tell other people to make them feel better. So reading such stuff was a little weird and satisfying at the same time.
Being an Indian I wasn't readily able to connect with a couple of concepts but overall, a great read!!
Personally it was like reading something I usually tell other people to make them feel better. So reading such stuff was a little weird and satisfying at the same time.
Being an Indian I wasn't readily able to connect with a couple of concepts but overall, a great read!!
December 27, 2021
Such a wholesome book. The small essays tell us the way of life and how to live freely.
There's no secret way or anything in this book. It just tells what you already know to be true but are afraid to do and this is the beauty of the author.
There's no secret way or anything in this book. It just tells what you already know to be true but are afraid to do and this is the beauty of the author.
June 29, 2021
This is a book I can read multiple times and learn something new about myself each time.
April 14, 2023
I almost gave it 4 stars but then settled for 3.
I found many essays relatable. Reading them felt like a cozy bear hug from your favourite person after a really long day, telling you that it's gonna be okay. That being said, some essays also ended abruptly or without much conclusion.
The writing is pretty concise and to the point. For a short read, it touches great too many points to ponder upon.
I remember reading some of Dushka's answers on Quora ages ago and I was immediately impressed with her writing style. Reading her book only brought some nostalgia along.
I found many essays relatable. Reading them felt like a cozy bear hug from your favourite person after a really long day, telling you that it's gonna be okay. That being said, some essays also ended abruptly or without much conclusion.
The writing is pretty concise and to the point. For a short read, it touches great too many points to ponder upon.
I remember reading some of Dushka's answers on Quora ages ago and I was immediately impressed with her writing style. Reading her book only brought some nostalgia along.
August 18, 2020
Honest. Raw. Comforting.
This book is the equivalent of a good cup of tea. It soothes you, brings your spirits up and makes you feel ready to tackle another day.
This book is the equivalent of a good cup of tea. It soothes you, brings your spirits up and makes you feel ready to tackle another day.
March 5, 2019
Whether vile, valedictory, or virulent - we all need an occasional guide to help us navigate and explore the perennial wonderland called life. These guides may come in many forms, be it the wisdom of our loved ones, words passed down through the pages of time or even our own experiences.
Recently I've been blessed to find someone on Quora who has helped give further clarity to the creative medium that I hold dear - writing. Dushka Zapata.
She’s done this by crystallizing the fact that true eloquence is crafted through nothing less than simplicity.
It’s a revelation to me because whenever I’m caught up in the nefebrulous affairs of life, it's easy for me to forget that sometimes the simple is the most powerful. With regards to writing, after reading prose from authors like Fitzgerald, Hanya Yanagihara, Herman Hesse, and many others I was always convinced that the fragrance of great writing had to be slightly rich, almost like the perfume my Nonna would wear to church each Sunday.
But after reading more of Dushka’s words, I've come to realise that when added together, similicity and clarity birth an eloquence rarely found in the grand cacophony of the worlds words.
The feeling this inspires is a lot like Issey Miyake's L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme. Powerful yet delicately balanced, fresh yet warm, accented with a hint of spice. And this is what I aspire to ignite in readers as well.
After reading her words I’ve also come to understand that only through disciplined practice can our dreams be realized. But more importantly, after reading one of her many self-published books, I’ve realised that great writing is imbued with a subtle, timeless wisdom. There’s been too many great revelatory passages in this book to highlight, but I’ve done my best to include some samples here of my favourite excerpts. Even if you don’t agree with everything she has to say, I think it’s worthwhile to expose yourself to a different perspective. For if nothing else, it can help widen the view you have on this world and realise that happiness is never from a singular, distilled source. But rather, as Dushka puts it, a cocktail of different feelings blended together. Book 5/56 done!
Recently I've been blessed to find someone on Quora who has helped give further clarity to the creative medium that I hold dear - writing. Dushka Zapata.
She’s done this by crystallizing the fact that true eloquence is crafted through nothing less than simplicity.
It’s a revelation to me because whenever I’m caught up in the nefebrulous affairs of life, it's easy for me to forget that sometimes the simple is the most powerful. With regards to writing, after reading prose from authors like Fitzgerald, Hanya Yanagihara, Herman Hesse, and many others I was always convinced that the fragrance of great writing had to be slightly rich, almost like the perfume my Nonna would wear to church each Sunday.
But after reading more of Dushka’s words, I've come to realise that when added together, similicity and clarity birth an eloquence rarely found in the grand cacophony of the worlds words.
The feeling this inspires is a lot like Issey Miyake's L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme. Powerful yet delicately balanced, fresh yet warm, accented with a hint of spice. And this is what I aspire to ignite in readers as well.
After reading her words I’ve also come to understand that only through disciplined practice can our dreams be realized. But more importantly, after reading one of her many self-published books, I’ve realised that great writing is imbued with a subtle, timeless wisdom. There’s been too many great revelatory passages in this book to highlight, but I’ve done my best to include some samples here of my favourite excerpts. Even if you don’t agree with everything she has to say, I think it’s worthwhile to expose yourself to a different perspective. For if nothing else, it can help widen the view you have on this world and realise that happiness is never from a singular, distilled source. But rather, as Dushka puts it, a cocktail of different feelings blended together. Book 5/56 done!
October 13, 2017
I bought this book because I follow Dushka on Quora and she always has a lot of interesting, thought-provoking stories to share in her answers. I was expecting the same kind of inspiration and quality in this book. Needless to say, I was rather disappointed. The book looks like she just put all of her Quora answers into one and then presents them as a book. Some of the stories are interesting enough, but most just seem ordinary and not at all inspirational. Somehow reading her words in a book setting has so much less lasting impact compared to when I read her answers in Quora (I wonder if this is because there are no "likes" in books?). I also feel like she could have put in more words in her stories or make some sort of themes that flow together better. I also get the impression that she's trying too hard to "make an impact" to the readers by making her stories short.
Anyway, I still love her in Quora but reckon she has plenty of room for improvement in terms of writing a book.
Anyway, I still love her in Quora but reckon she has plenty of room for improvement in terms of writing a book.
January 11, 2018
Should have been titled "the world according to me, dushka." Essays, not. Little snippets of one person's thoughts on life is more apt. Backed up by anything but the authors own personal insights.... no. Focused of happiness? Not really. I related to or was caused to rethink about a few of her little snippets in a way that was occasionally interesting but for the most part the book would be better as a series of instagram posts. I'll donate this one to the thrift store and maybe it will do more for another reader than it did for me.
September 17, 2017
Highly recommend following Dushka on Quora! She is such a kind and thoughtful person. However, this book almost seemed like a random collection of her Quora posts. If you want her posts to be readily accessible on Kindle, then do purchase this. If not, I would just recommend scrolling her Quora feed for insightful gems.
March 31, 2021
I loved book! It's full of these little gems, just ideas that really resonated with me. It felt a little like finding someone who finally understands me. I think the author must be a kindred spirit or something.
This is one I can see just picking up every now and then, when I need a little attitude adjustment. :-)
This is one I can see just picking up every now and then, when I need a little attitude adjustment. :-)
August 31, 2016
Dushka's book offers a really nice collection of insights from her personal life. I couldn't be more amazed. I think this is one of those books which I would read again multiple times to completely absorb the lessons from her experiences.
Definitely one of the books I could gift to someone.
Definitely one of the books I could gift to someone.
January 3, 2019
It's one of those you read another entry each day kind of books and I've gotten to the end and started over.
October 5, 2017
I have been following Dushka on Quora for more than a couple of years now and I like her writings. I was curious to read "other essays" and I downloaded the kindle version of the book. I enjoyed reading it thoroughly. At times, it may feel like you are reading a sort of "self-help" book but I don't mind it really. Nice read over a cup of tea/coffee in the morning or during bed time to conclude your day. :)
August 6, 2019
Having read a lot of her answers on Quora, I had some idea of the quality I could expect from this book. I'm thankful and happy beyond myself to say that this book has surpassed all my expectations.
Every essay, every page of this book is a jewel. I was enthralled by every single word. This is poetry I tell you. Mesmerising, captivating, beautiful. Hands down my first recommendation to anyone looking to experience magic.
Every essay, every page of this book is a jewel. I was enthralled by every single word. This is poetry I tell you. Mesmerising, captivating, beautiful. Hands down my first recommendation to anyone looking to experience magic.
August 11, 2020
The book is (actually all of her books are) a collection of her work on Quora.
This book has short essays on a variety of topics. She usually writes about what has she experienced in certain circumstances of her life and what she did that helped (and even which ones didn't), so the book also has the same theme.
It is filled with loads of one-liners and subtle reminders on a decent way to live and navigate through what we come across in doing so.
Loved the book.
This book has short essays on a variety of topics. She usually writes about what has she experienced in certain circumstances of her life and what she did that helped (and even which ones didn't), so the book also has the same theme.
It is filled with loads of one-liners and subtle reminders on a decent way to live and navigate through what we come across in doing so.
Loved the book.
January 11, 2021
Beautiful book
A short and refreshing book.
I am familiar with some of Dushka’s writings from her quora answers, and I discovered new ones.
I love hiw dushka sees life, and how she talks about love, relationships, and one’s self.
This book is beautiful, it regroups many tiny life lessons for a better life experience.
I totally recommend this to everyone (even if you don’t agree with what she says, it will be interesting to read about her perspective.
A short and refreshing book.
I am familiar with some of Dushka’s writings from her quora answers, and I discovered new ones.
I love hiw dushka sees life, and how she talks about love, relationships, and one’s self.
This book is beautiful, it regroups many tiny life lessons for a better life experience.
I totally recommend this to everyone (even if you don’t agree with what she says, it will be interesting to read about her perspective.
November 11, 2022
"We don't live in a terrible world. We live in a beautiful world where awful things happen."
I absolutely loved this book. Beautifully written, honest, at times poetic and always inspiring, this big little book was a delight to read. Warmly recommended to anyone, who could use a bit more "ferocious happiness" in their life.
I absolutely loved this book. Beautifully written, honest, at times poetic and always inspiring, this big little book was a delight to read. Warmly recommended to anyone, who could use a bit more "ferocious happiness" in their life.
February 9, 2024
Practical Life anecdotes worth reading and pondering.
Dushka shares her real world wisdom on love, life, work, relationships and family. Which we face in daily life and gives her perspective on it. She is also figuring it out and still learning. But sharing her thoughts through a book always helps others in their journey.
Dushka shares her real world wisdom on love, life, work, relationships and family. Which we face in daily life and gives her perspective on it. She is also figuring it out and still learning. But sharing her thoughts through a book always helps others in their journey.
June 15, 2018
Gave me perspective
Dushka somehow understands what happens in her head and shares that with us in the book which is absolutely clarifying in life. Gives you a new point of view and clarity.
Dushka somehow understands what happens in her head and shares that with us in the book which is absolutely clarifying in life. Gives you a new point of view and clarity.
April 29, 2020
Great wise book to make you feel good
I really like the wisdoms from this book that is wrapped in a friendly words. It's like your friend that gives advice about common things we face in life. The advices are in small essays so it's easy pause and continue through out the book.
I really like the wisdoms from this book that is wrapped in a friendly words. It's like your friend that gives advice about common things we face in life. The advices are in small essays so it's easy pause and continue through out the book.
December 21, 2018
Beautiful short essays, the latter ones get a bit repetitive though
May 11, 2019
Such a genuine way to live life
January 6, 2020
This book has changed my life. Reading it makes me reflect on my daily life and my choices. Easy to read and highly recommended!
January 25, 2020
I live by her words
February 22, 2020
I love Dushka as an author. Her essays are short and makes one think. I feel her words help me be a better human being!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews