The Search for Happiness: A Journey to Bhutan and Back to Myself
- Penny Light
- Mar 20
- 4 min read
Happiness. It is such a simple word, yet one that has eluded me at times, even when, on paper, I had everything I could ever want.
I remember sitting in my beautiful downtown Toronto Condo, sipping coffee, knowing I was deeply loved, financially stable, and living a life full of adventure. And yet, there were mornings when I woke up feeling…off. The joy wasn’t quite there. Not gone completely, but flickering—duller than it once was.
It felt like a betrayal. How could I, of all people, feel this way? I have spent years designing a life of my choosing, one that revolves around travel, connection, and deep, meaningful experiences. And still, there were times I found myself questioning why happiness felt just out of reach.
I know I’m not alone in this.
The Thief of Joy: When Perimenopause Meets the Midlife Pause
As I entered perimenopause, that quiet discontent grew louder. It wasn’t just the sleepless nights or the rollercoaster of emotions—though those certainly didn’t help—it was the lack of motivation, the spark that seemed to have dimmed. It was a struggle to feel truly alive in the way I used to.
This phase of life is not something we’re prepared for. It sneaks up, steals pieces of us, and leaves us wondering: Where did the woman I used to be, go?
And so, I did what I always do when I don’t understand something—I researched. I dug into what makes us feel fulfilled, content, and deeply happy.
And that search took me back to the place where it all started for me: Costa Rica.
Where It All Began: The Costa Rica Spark
Years ago, Over a decade ago, when I first started my entrepreneurial journey, I found myself in Costa Rica, a country known for its happiness and home to one of the world’s Blue Zones—places where people live longer, healthier, and more content lives. I was fascinated. What did they know that we didn’t?
That trip changed something in me. It made me rethink everything about how I was living, working, and even defining success. It also led me to study happiness in depth, eventually becoming a Happiness in the Workplace Practitioner (yes, that’s a thing!). Because if happiness wasn’t something we just stumbled upon, then surely it was something we could cultivate?
What I learned then, and what Bhutan reminds me of now, is that happiness isn’t found in things or accomplishments. It’s in the spaces we create for ourselves to just be.
Bhutan: A Kingdom That Understands What We’ve Forgotten
Fast forward to today, and I find myself drawn to another place that embodies this wisdom: Bhutan.
Bhutan is one of the few places in the world where happiness isn’t an afterthought—it’s a priority. It’s measured, protected, and woven into the very essence of how the country operates. Unlike the rest of the world, Bhutan doesn’t use GDP as its marker of success; instead, it measures Gross National Happiness (GNH), valuing spiritual well-being, environmental conservation, and community connection over profit and productivity.
Think about that for a moment.
Imagine a place where the collective well-being matters more than the bottom line. Where the government ensures that at least 60% of the land remains covered in forest—not just for conservation, but because they believe nature is essential to our emotional and spiritual health.
Imagine a country that prioritizes mindfulness, where monasteries hum with the sounds of monks chanting, and where time isn’t something to be controlled, but something to surrender to.
This is Bhutan. And this is why I want to bring women here.
Finding Happiness in a Messy World
Let’s be real: the world feels heavy right now. The news is overwhelming, social media can feel like an emotional battleground, and many of us are carrying mental loads heavier than we’ve ever known. The midlife shift doesn’t help. The transitions, the changes in our bodies and relationships—it’s a lot.
So where do we find happiness in the midst of it all?
Here’s what I’ve learned:
1. Happiness isn’t something we chase—it’s something we create.
Bhutan reminds us that joy is in the small, intentional choices we make daily. Whether it’s stepping outside, taking a deep breath, or allowing ourselves the grace to slow down, happiness is built in the micro-moments.
2. Nature heals in ways we don’t even realize.
Bhutan’s untouched landscapes are a reminder that we, too, are meant to be wild, untamed, and deeply connected to the earth. When was the last time you sat in silence, just breathing in the world around you?
3. Happiness comes from connection, not consumption.
One of the greatest lessons from Bhutan (and Costa Rica) is that people matter more than things. Community, shared experiences, and human connection—these are what sustain joy.
4. Ritual and mindfulness matter.
Whether it’s morning tea in a monastery, yoga in the mountains, or simply learning to be present, Bhutan offers us the gift of remembering ourselves.
The Journey Awaits: Will You Say Yes?
In November 2026, I will be bringing a group of women to Bhutan. It will not be just another retreat—it will be a journey into happiness itself. Into what it means to live well, to reconnect with ourselves, and to rediscover the spark that midlife may have tried to dim.
This will be a rare, intimate experience. A chance to step away from the demands of daily life and into a world where happiness is not just an idea, but a way of being.
There are only a few spots left—because Bhutan is not a place meant for mass tourism. It’s a place for those who seek something deeper.
If you’re feeling that pull—that whisper that says this is what you need—I invite you to say yes.
Yes to yourself.
Yes to joy.
Yes to happiness, not as a fleeting feeling, but as a way of life.
Because, my friend, happiness is not lost.
It’s just waiting for you to find it again.
Are you coming?
Or, simply send me an email to
In friendship, and adventure
Penny
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