Finland: where low expectations and simplicity reign supreme
A country that seems unlikely to be the epitome of happiness - with long, dark winters, short days, and temperatures plummeting below -20C - is actually the happiest place on earth. The World Happiness Report has Finland at the top for the last eight years, and it's not just about societal factors like high levels of education and equality.
For Finns, happiness comes from embracing a slower pace of life and connecting with nature. Everyman's Right allows anyone to roam freely in the woods, without needing permission or worrying about private property. This freedom to explore and discover is a key part of Finnish happiness. And then there are the forests themselves - full of towering pine trees, moss-covered granite boulders, and the sweet taste of wild berries.
Finns have also mastered the art of the sauna, where the rush of endorphins released helps them get through long, dark winters. From traditional steam saunas to more modern facilities like the Allas sea pool in Helsinki, where you can swim and relax while surrounded by stunning views of the city, saunas are a staple of Finnish culture.
But happiness isn't just about individual pursuits - it's also about community and embracing the simple things in life. The Finns have a unique approach to time, one that values familiarity and routine over constant striving and busyness. It's about taking time to breathe in the trees, plunge into cold water, or simply watch the sun set over a lake.
For visitors, Finland is a haven - from the stunning natural beauty of Lake Saimaa to the design shops and restaurants showcasing seasonal produce. And with its unique right-to-roam tradition, there's no shortage of opportunities for adventure and exploration.
So what can we learn from the Finns? Perhaps it's time to rethink our own approach to happiness, one that values simplicity, community, and connection with nature over constant striving and busyness. By embracing a slower pace of life and letting go of expectations, we might just find ourselves happier - Finnish-style.
A country that seems unlikely to be the epitome of happiness - with long, dark winters, short days, and temperatures plummeting below -20C - is actually the happiest place on earth. The World Happiness Report has Finland at the top for the last eight years, and it's not just about societal factors like high levels of education and equality.
For Finns, happiness comes from embracing a slower pace of life and connecting with nature. Everyman's Right allows anyone to roam freely in the woods, without needing permission or worrying about private property. This freedom to explore and discover is a key part of Finnish happiness. And then there are the forests themselves - full of towering pine trees, moss-covered granite boulders, and the sweet taste of wild berries.
Finns have also mastered the art of the sauna, where the rush of endorphins released helps them get through long, dark winters. From traditional steam saunas to more modern facilities like the Allas sea pool in Helsinki, where you can swim and relax while surrounded by stunning views of the city, saunas are a staple of Finnish culture.
But happiness isn't just about individual pursuits - it's also about community and embracing the simple things in life. The Finns have a unique approach to time, one that values familiarity and routine over constant striving and busyness. It's about taking time to breathe in the trees, plunge into cold water, or simply watch the sun set over a lake.
For visitors, Finland is a haven - from the stunning natural beauty of Lake Saimaa to the design shops and restaurants showcasing seasonal produce. And with its unique right-to-roam tradition, there's no shortage of opportunities for adventure and exploration.
So what can we learn from the Finns? Perhaps it's time to rethink our own approach to happiness, one that values simplicity, community, and connection with nature over constant striving and busyness. By embracing a slower pace of life and letting go of expectations, we might just find ourselves happier - Finnish-style.
Finland's secrets to happiness are so refreshing. I mean, who needs all that fancy stuff when you can just enjoy the simple things in life? Like, have you ever had a proper sauna experience? It's like a whole different level of relaxation 
. And their approach to time is so cool - it's like they're saying, 'Why rush when you can take your time and appreciate the little things?' 
Interesting how they prioritize nature and community over all that tech stuff... maybe we should take a page out of their book 
I mean, who needs sunshine when you can have saunas and forests to escape into? Their approach to happiness is all about slowing down and appreciating the little things in life. It's so inspiring to see a country that values community and connection with nature over material possessions. And let's be real, who wouldn't want to take a dip in the Allas sea pool while watching the sunset? 
It's time for us to take notes from our Nordic friends and make some changes in our own lives.
... I mean, who needs sunshine all day when you can enjoy it for like 5 hours? 
But seriously, their approach to happiness is so refreshing. Like, who wouldn't want to spend their free time lounging in a sauna or taking a dip in a lake? 
It's all about finding joy in the little things and embracing the simple life. I think we could all learn from that, especially with how crazy busy our lives can get nowadays. Maybe it's time for us to slow down and appreciate the beauty around us... or at least take a longer winter nap 
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I mean, who wouldn't want to live in a place where you can roam freely in the woods without permission? Sounds amazing! But at the same time, 20C temperatures below zero might be a bit harsh for some people's taste... 
. I mean, can you imagine being able to roam free in the woods without worrying about private property? That's like, ultimate freedom 
! And their love for saunas is crazy... I swear, every time I try to explain to my friends why we have a sauna at school (we don't actually have one lol), they just don't get it 
. The Finns' approach to time is so refreshing - no rush, just chill and enjoy the moment 
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It's like a natural high 
. Plus, Finns seem to prioritize community over constant busy-ness, which is something we could all learn from 
. Maybe it's time to take a cue from Finland and slow down a bit... who knows, might just make us happier 
! I mean, who would've thought that a country with long winters and dark days could be the happiest place on earth? 
. I'm definitely taking some of these tips from Finland to my own DIY projects... maybe a backyard sauna or two 
I also just got back from a hike over the weekend and it was amazing to see all the different types of trees and wildlife. We saw a bunch of deer and even caught a glimpse of a moose! 
That's when I started thinking about how much we need more nature escapes in our daily lives, you know? Like, a walk in the woods can cure just about anything... 