Photo by Shelley Pauls on Unsplash

A very happy Friday to you! In this edition of Link Love, I share a collection of articles about systems, habits, and beliefs that can help us feel happier—plus a couple of unrelated minor delights. Enjoy!

I love the two-minute system Neil Pasrischa uses when anxiety spikes. Click here to learn more about “Rose, Rose, Thorn, Bud.” 

I’m practicing several of these slow living habits. 

Why does Finland consistently rank as the happiest country in the world? Here are six habits and beliefs that contribute. (I especially found it interesting that “happiness” for Finns is more about contentment and life satisfaction than feelings of “overwhelming happiness.”) 

In the face of setbacks and hard times, how do you keep calm and carry on? Here are some great answers to that question. 

Spending too much time online makes me unhappy, so I’ve been trying to cut down on mindlessly scrolling on my phone. “The Real Secret to Reducing Screen Time” has some helpful suggestions; click through to see the details, but “The real secret to reducing screen time is to shift your focus from controlling your phone to forgetting all about it.” 

Reading is a source of joy for me, but I can get caught up in trying to read more books at the cost of a deeper, more rewarding reading experience. Reading faster doesn’t mean reading better. In “What we lose when we gamify reading,” Marissa Levien discusses how we can take goal setting around reading too far, to our own detriment. 

In February, Larry the cat celebrated 15 years as the British government’s official rodent-catcher and unofficial first feline. His duties include “greeting guests to the house, inspecting security defenses and testing antique furniture for napping quality.” He’s been known to say hello to world leaders and photobomb visitors as they enter the front door of No. 10 Downing Street. 

This is a beautiful version of Elton John’s “Your Song.” 

Have a great weekend!