A kanelbulle (or korvapuusti) enjoyed outside in the spring sun—during that brief, precious hour of good weather that this otherwise chilly day in Turku offered.
Visiting my old hometown reminds me once again: Finnish happiness often isn’t about grand, extraordinary moments when everything is perfect. It’s found in the small, meaningful experiences—moments accessible to all, no matter what else might be happening in life. A good reminder for this visit.
(For full honesty: an intimidating bird did scare me off shortly after this snapshot was taken. But it was wonderful while it lasted.)
Finland has consistently ranked among the happiest countries in the world – seven years in a row, according to the UN’s World Happiness Report. But what does that happiness actually feel and look like?
It rarely looks like ecstatic celebration or a picture-perfect postcard scene. Walking the streets of Turku during a couple of days in mostly bad weather certainly did not include a lot of big smiles and cheery greetings. More often, it looks like this: a quiet moment, a warm pastry, and a patch of sunlight on a cold spring day. Not Instagram-perfect, but deeply real. It is in acknowledgement and appreciation of the small stuff.
Philosopher Esa Saarinen, known for his work on systems intelligence and everyday flourishing, captures this spirit beautifully:
“Happiness is not something ready made. It arises from our actions, yes—but also from our ability to see the value in moments others might pass by.”
— Esa Saarinen
That ability to tune in to the small, grounded joys of daily life is, I believe, part of what sets Finnish happiness apart. It’s subtle. It’s modest. And it’s deeply human.
We often talk about well-being in the workplace, especially as leaders and professionals. But perhaps the most sustainable kind of well-being isn’t about chasing peak moments or constantly optimizing ourselves. Perhaps it’s about creating -and noticing – these kinds of small, replenishing moments, even in the middle of a busy or imperfect day.
A warm pastry. A sudden beam of sunlight. A familiar place.
Even if it’s briefly interrupted by a particularly bold bird.
Sources:
- World Happiness Report 2024
- Saarinen, E. (2008). Philosophy for Managers. Systems Intelligence Series.
