The Happiness Passport: A world tour of joyful living in 50 words

"In Hayes’ book ... she joins the dots between these differing beliefs to help us cultivate a richer shared vocabulary of happiness, and unravels the global interpretations of living well and contentedly." – Psychologiesmagazine

“With each word illustrated by Yelena Bryksenkova, it’s a pure joy to read.” – Flow magazine

Discover the secrets of wellbeing from cultures around the world, from hygge to yang sheng.

The Happiness Passport is a collection of wonderfully evocative words from around the globe that resonate with us all. Unique and often untranslatable, the meaning behind each expression will stir up familiar emotions – bringing joy, contentment and a greater understanding of other cultures. There are a wealth of examples to discover for a more wholesome outlook on life, including: 

•    Hiraeth – the word for deep longing for home (Welsh)
•    Goya – the transportive ability of good storytelling (Urdu)
•    Yugen – the ability of the natural world to deeply move us (Japanese)
•    Gigil – the overwhelming urge to cuddle an adorable pet (Philippine Tagalog)
 
Simultaneously all-inclusive and peculiar to place, these words are on the tip of our tongue and yet not in our vocabulary.

The Happiness Passport delves into this treasure trove of delights, examining the cultural context of each expression and the lessons that we can apply in our own lives to achieve greater contentment. A must-read for fans of The Serenity Passport, and for all those seeking a more balanced life. This beautiful guide features original illustrations that evoke each elusive expression.