The Finnish Guide to Happiness

By: Melanie Dower

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

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.

INSPIRING BOOK. (Listening after Hurricane Helene)

I will listen to this again and again. Many of us who are living through Hurricane Helene and its aftermath have lost somewhere between basic services and everything. It has thrown us back on human kindness and generosity. The Finns figured that out and how democracy should work. I hope the US can do that. Apparently hard times are the teacher. BEAUTIFUL BOOK.

Very true- moved from the USA to Helsinki in 2018

Excellent summary of “ My Own Notes from Finland” - very accurate, well done and insightful observations!
I recommended it to everyone, and now I do not have to speak or write about it 😉.
NPL

Many qualities of the Finns are also highly valued by many faiths systems.

Many qualities of the Finns are also highly valued by the world's faith systems, except the Finnish peoples do it out of because they value their views of a happy way to live. They leave God out of it, but live in a qietly pragmatic and sensible way. They seem smart and happy. I grew up j an unhappy and mentally unhealthy family. Here I am at 71 still trying to grow up right. I enjoyed this quiet description of an admirable group of people.

Inspiring, refreshing, definitely worth the time.

I really enjoyed a break from the doom, gloom and madness that is the world today.
Much to be taken from the Finnish approach to life as highlighted in this book.
Well written and narrated. Definitely worth the time.

Insightful!

A fresh wonderful perspective! I wish all of America and the world actually could live more this way.

Well researched including snippets of studies on themes which promote well

This was a short but comprehensive piece on what makes Finns content and satisfied with daily life in a practical and realistic way.

Interesting view of another culture’s approach to happiness

The author makes clear points about how the Finnish culture is unique and different than the USA, and why these aspects may contribute to their country being called the Happiest Place on Earth. Interesting survey with personal stories of having moved and lived there, You’ll find striking differences!

Finland sounds like heaven!

I wish that each American could hear this story of Finland. There are so many ideas that we can take from it to accomplish positive changes that would make a difference.

Not a guide, more of a tourist brochure

Enjoyed the descriptions of Finland and the Finnish lifestyle & philosophy. This is not a work of great depth. Often the message was: this is a great place, but you’re not likely to be able to live here, so just visit, then go home.

Selective points with glaring omissions

Narrator whispers rather than speaks, which I found challenging to comprehend. Got used to it, and enjoyed the story, though not enough character development or plot to truly call it a story. Focusing on aspects of this unified socialize 5M, micro sized in terms of a typical country’s population, without even a passing nod to the exclusivity and homogeneity of this near “tribal” modern culture was disingenuous. Much like an exclusive, “members only” gated (and in America: hated) neighborhood community where everyone plays the same three or four sports, eats from the Country Club menu and enjoys strong arm security, access to excellent schools and above average work/life balance. I love the ideas of nature, silent meditation and appreciation of life’s blessings… but don’t ignore the set-up and the happiness that comes from simply belonging to a group. Fitting in counts for much in life….