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Joyful cover art

Joyful

Written by: Ingrid Fetell Lee
Narrated by: Ingrid Fetell Lee
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Publisher's Summary

Make small changes to your surroundings and create extraordinary happiness in your life with groundbreaking research from designer and TED star Ingrid Fetell Lee.

Next Big Idea Club selection—chosen by Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, Dan Pink, and Adam Grant as one of the "two most groundbreaking new nonfiction reads of the season!"

"This book has the power to change everything! Writing with depth, wit, and insight, Ingrid Fetell Lee shares all you need to know in order to create external environments that give rise to inner joy."—Susan Cain, author of Quiet and founder of Quiet Revolution

Have you ever wondered why we stop to watch the orange glow that arrives before sunset, or why we flock to see cherry blossoms bloom in spring? Is there a reason that people—regardless of gender, age, culture, or ethnicity—are mesmerized by baby animals, and can't help but smile when they see a burst of confetti or a cluster of colorful balloons?

We are often made to feel that the physical world has little or no impact on our inner joy. Increasingly, experts urge us to find balance and calm by looking inward—through mindfulness or meditation—and muting the outside world. But what if the natural vibrancy of our surroundings is actually our most renewable and easily accessible source of joy?

In Joyful, designer Ingrid Fetell Lee explores how the seemingly mundane spaces and objects we interact with every day have surprising and powerful effects on our mood. Drawing on insights from neuroscience and psychology, she explains why one setting makes us feel anxious or competitive, while another fosters acceptance and delight—and, most importantly, she reveals how we can harness the power of our surroundings to live fuller, healthier, and truly joyful lives.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2018 Ingrid Fetell Lee (P)2018 Hachette Audio

What the critics say

"A completely original treatment of a completely new and original idea: we all have within the power to design joy into our lives. Joyful is an inexhaustible and exciting guide to what makes life good." (Arianna Huffington, New York Times best-selling author of Thrive, founder and CEO of Thrive Global and founder of Huffington Post)

"Joyful reveals the powerful notion that joy can be cultivated to flourish within all of us. This idea can change the world." (David Kelley, founder of the design and innovation company IDEO)

"Joyful overturns conventional wisdom about happiness: that it comes from within, and that experiences - not things - make us happier. Ingrid Fetell Lee's delightful book evokes the same positive feelings she describes. It is full of whimsy, wonder, energy, and joy. I loved it." (Sonja Lyubomirsky, professor of psychology, University of California, Riverside, and author of The How of Happiness)

What listeners say about Joyful

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Made me Joyful!

I really loved this book! I didn't expect it to be as heavy on design as it was, but I appreciated that. It was incredibly helpful in giving me ideas for how I can bring more joy into my classroom decor and my home. Small changes really can make all the difference!

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1 person found this helpful

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  • 2022-01-20

Optimal - superb book!

As an artist this gives me a great perspective on how my art is valuable for the joy it brings

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Lovely Narration by Author

Hearing Ingrid read this book made it for me. Her delicate descriptions of ordinary things created awe. It was almost meditative listening her calm demeanour. Delightful!

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1 person found this helpful

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Invigorating to the soul

Every chapter brought a smile to my face. The author’s research and examples opened my eyes to the joy all around me. If you’re looking for a book that will refresh your soul, this is it! :)

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Loved!

Such a lovely exploration of how to bring joy into every day life, especially in a world of “lots of the same”.

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It's in the things we leave behind...

It probably isn't weird to think that a book called Joyful can bring you joy, but there's the truth of it. Ingrid Fetell Lee dives in, heart and soul, into a scientific and emotional discovery of what parts of life can help you achieve moments of joy. Color, shape, nature, and a sense of wonder all contribute to a joyful lifestyle that Lee has travelled the world to uncover. The way to joy isn't constant but to be consitantly worked at over time, just like exercise and knowledge, but it is achievable.

Lee narrates her own book which is generally a risky move for authors, but her lyrical, calming tones help bring you on the journey of love and appreciation.

Do yourself a favor: pick up this book and bring a little joy into your own lives.

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A joy!

Loved the exploration and research that went into this book. Very interesting, well written, and the author’s voice makes it feel like a conversation with a friend.

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Vive la joie!

Un livre très très intéressant au tant du point de vue scientifique et très factuel que... comment dire... ludique! Le livre est lu par l'auteur ce qui aide sans doute à la compréhension, elle lit d'ailleurs très bien!

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Insightful and at times enchanting

I give the writer a thumbs up for reminding all of us the importance and possibility of obtaining joy.
A few chapters are enchanting and inspire me to be intentional about seeking out joy in my daily life.
I cannot relate to the writing style in some of the chapters but I still consider this book a worthwhile read because of the idea it is promoting which I believe can be life changing.

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i like this book but

All was pretty ok but when she said black and brown colors have bad depressing association it toke me OUT lol. If you have the time and money to travel to get all inspired by the oriental poc colorful cultures at least make some time to study why light and dark in English meant what they meant. Anyway so far chapter 1 is about how the beige culture discovered the joy in the "colored".

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3 people found this helpful