Molly Young

Hi, my name is Molly Young. I'm a book critic at The New York Times. Since 2012, the UN-backed World Happiness Report has put out an annual ranking of countries. For the past eight years, Finland has been at the top of the leaderboard, sitting at number one. In fact, Nordic countries dominate all the top spots, which makes Finland's victory streak even more remarkable. The U.S.

Hi, my name is Molly Young. I'm a book critic at The New York Times. Since 2012, the UN-backed World Happiness Report has put out an annual ranking of countries. For the past eight years, Finland has been at the top of the leaderboard, sitting at number one. In fact, Nordic countries dominate all the top spots, which makes Finland's victory streak even more remarkable. The U.S.

came in at number 24 in the most recent report released in March of this year, ranking just below the U.K. I'd already been to Iceland, number three, and Costa Rica, number six, as well as a few of the other countries that beat out the U.S. on this year's ranking.

came in at number 24 in the most recent report released in March of this year, ranking just below the U.K. I'd already been to Iceland, number three, and Costa Rica, number six, as well as a few of the other countries that beat out the U.S. on this year's ranking.

And when I found out that the New York Times magazine was going to put out an issue devoted to happiness, I pitched going to Finland to see how the Finns define happiness and, of course, how they achieve it. But I wanted to test Finland in the dead of winter at what I presume to be its lowest point. I would test Finland on hard mode. So here's my article, read by Julia Whalen.

And when I found out that the New York Times magazine was going to put out an issue devoted to happiness, I pitched going to Finland to see how the Finns define happiness and, of course, how they achieve it. But I wanted to test Finland in the dead of winter at what I presume to be its lowest point. I would test Finland on hard mode. So here's my article, read by Julia Whalen.

Our audio producer today is Tali Abakasis, and the music you'll hear was written and performed by Aaron Esposito. Thanks for listening.

Our audio producer today is Tali Abakasis, and the music you'll hear was written and performed by Aaron Esposito. Thanks for listening.

Coming to Helsinki in February is an objectively weird choice, said a man named Mikko Tironen. During this time, we don't have, he paused, colors. I was sitting in a coffee shop with Tironen, a web developer and writer, after flying to Helsinki to think about happiness.

Coming to Helsinki in February is an objectively weird choice, said a man named Mikko Tironen. During this time, we don't have, he paused, colors. I was sitting in a coffee shop with Tironen, a web developer and writer, after flying to Helsinki to think about happiness.

For eight years running, Finland has been rated the happiest country in the world by a peculiar United Nations-backed project called the World Happiness Report, started in 2012. Soon after Finland shot to the top of the list, its government set up a Happiness Tourism Initiative, which now offers itineraries highlighting the cultural elements that ostensibly contribute to its status.

For eight years running, Finland has been rated the happiest country in the world by a peculiar United Nations-backed project called the World Happiness Report, started in 2012. Soon after Finland shot to the top of the list, its government set up a Happiness Tourism Initiative, which now offers itineraries highlighting the cultural elements that ostensibly contribute to its status.

Foraging, fresh air, trees, lakes, sustainably produced meals, and perhaps above all else, saunas. Instead of adhering to one of these optimal itineraries or visiting Finland at the rosiest time of year, any time except the dead of winter, I'd come to Tyrnyn's bafflement with few plans at all during one of the bleakest months.

Foraging, fresh air, trees, lakes, sustainably produced meals, and perhaps above all else, saunas. Instead of adhering to one of these optimal itineraries or visiting Finland at the rosiest time of year, any time except the dead of winter, I'd come to Tyrnyn's bafflement with few plans at all during one of the bleakest months.

Would the happiest country on earth still be so mirthful at its gloomiest? When I explained this, Tirunen recalled a quote by the Finnish author Joka Vikela that goes, Finland is a land where children play in darkness. The quote was both a metaphor and a descriptive statement, he suggested. Because of the country's global coordinates, Finnish kids do indeed play in the dark a lot.

Would the happiest country on earth still be so mirthful at its gloomiest? When I explained this, Tirunen recalled a quote by the Finnish author Joka Vikela that goes, Finland is a land where children play in darkness. The quote was both a metaphor and a descriptive statement, he suggested. Because of the country's global coordinates, Finnish kids do indeed play in the dark a lot.

To avoid being struck by vehicles, they clip decorative reflectors called hayastine to their coats. The reflectors come in all shapes. Lemon, poodle, swan, hedgehog, soccer ball. Adults wear them too. I joke that going outside without my reflector is a way of inviting suicide, Tirunen said. If it happens, it happens. We were both drinking from small coffee cups, which are prevalent in Finland.

To avoid being struck by vehicles, they clip decorative reflectors called hayastine to their coats. The reflectors come in all shapes. Lemon, poodle, swan, hedgehog, soccer ball. Adults wear them too. I joke that going outside without my reflector is a way of inviting suicide, Tirunen said. If it happens, it happens. We were both drinking from small coffee cups, which are prevalent in Finland.

Anyone wanting more than a thimble full of coffee had to pursue refills relentlessly. Tirunen took a sip, emptying his cup. My partner does not like this joke. My own happiness experiment was off to a poor start. I arrived the day before, a Sunday afternoon, in a capsule of germs, a packed plane vibrating with the sounds of coughing and phlegm management. Monday dawned in sickness and jet lag.

Anyone wanting more than a thimble full of coffee had to pursue refills relentlessly. Tirunen took a sip, emptying his cup. My partner does not like this joke. My own happiness experiment was off to a poor start. I arrived the day before, a Sunday afternoon, in a capsule of germs, a packed plane vibrating with the sounds of coughing and phlegm management. Monday dawned in sickness and jet lag.