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The Finnish Guide to Happiness

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The Finnish Guide to Happiness

By: Melanie Dower
Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
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About this listen

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.
Mental Health Personal Success Psychology Inspiring Feel Better
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About the Creator and Performer

Originally from Aotearoa New Zealand, Melanie Dower now calls Helsinki, Finland home. Since relocating in 2014 with her husband and young son, she has immersed herself in local culture, enjoying pastimes such as sauna and ice swimming and spending summers at her tiny cabin on an island in the Baltic Sea. Her first book, Helsinki: People Make the City, was co-created with concept designer and photographer Laura Iisalo and features interviews with local creatives alongside tips on how to enjoy the best features of Nordic life. As her day job, she supports new arrivals to Finland to acclimatize to life in the north as they too come to appreciate all this unique country has to offer.

About the Performer

Narrator of over 400 audiobooks, Saskia Maarleveld is listed as one of AudioFile Magazine’s best voices of 2015, 2016, and 2018. Maarleveld is an Audie and SOVAS award-winning narrator, including a nomination for Best Female Narrator for her performance in The Alice Network. Raised in New Zealand and France, now living in New York, Maarleveld switches seamlessly between accents, often heard narrating in British, Australian, and countless others, in addition to her American accent.

What listeners say about The Finnish Guide to Happiness

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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.

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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

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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.

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Informative

I really liked the format of this story, no unnecessary info. I learned so much, really enjoyed. Narrator was great as usual.

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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.

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Insightful!

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

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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.

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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!

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Insightful and thought provoking

Her experience was well written and thought provoking. Looking forward to visiting there one day with a better understanding of customs, traditions and social norms.

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Enjoyable

Pleasant narration; interesting peek into Finnish culture. I'm ready to pack my bags for a visit!

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