What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedFuriously Happy
Jenny Lawson · Book · 2017
If you loved Furiously Happy, start with This Way Up (Aisling Bea, 2019) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Furiously Happy across media.
You appreciate how Furiously Happy uses sharp, self-deprecating wit to navigate the complex reality of living with mental health struggles.
Films on the same thread
Bo Burnham: Make Happy
Film · 2016
Explores: Existentialism, Mental health, Social media culture.
Like Furiously Happy, this performance uses a blend of music and humor to expose the uncomfortable truths of mental illness and the absurdity of modern existence with raw vulnerability.
Happiness
Film · 1998
Explores: Social alienation, Human depravity, Desperation for intimacy.
If you valued the unflinching honesty about human behavior in Furiously Happy, this film offers a similarly dark, psychological examination of the desperate search for intimacy and connection.
Happy-Go-Lucky
Mike Leigh · Film · 2008
Shares a thread with Furiously Happy: finding joy.
While Furiously Happy highlights the internal battle for joy, this character study mirrors that quest by exploring how an irrepressible, optimistic spirit can challenge the cynicism of others.
Brain on Fire
Film · 2017
Explores: Mental health, Medical diagnosis, Identity loss.
This biographical drama captures the frightening loss of self that often accompanies mental health crises, grounding the medical mystery in the same resilience found throughout Furiously Happy.
Series on the same thread
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Rachel Bloom · Series · 2015
Explores: Mental Health, Self-Discovery, Identity Crisis.
Rebecca Bunch’s impulsive journey for happiness echoes the candid, messy exploration of mental health in Furiously Happy, balancing serious identity crises with a sharp, musical comedic edge.
My Mad Fat Diary
Rae Earl · Series · 2013
Shares a thread with Furiously Happy: Mental Illness.
This series captures the same tragicomic spirit seen in Furiously Happy, following a young woman’s path toward healing and self-discovery after a period of profound mental health instability.
After Life
Ricky Gervais · Series · 2019
Explores: Grief, Existentialism, Cynicism.
After Life shares the core DNA of Furiously Happy by using dark humor to process grief and existential dread, ultimately finding meaning in the wake of significant personal loss.
This Way Up
Aisling Bea · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with Furiously Happy: Anxiety.
Much like the honest perspective in Furiously Happy, this show navigates the aftermath of a nervous breakdown with a balance of empathy and dark, character-driven humor.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
Pushkin Industries · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Cognitive biases, Subjective well-being, Lifestyle optimization.
If the scientific curiosity in Furiously Happy intrigued you, this podcast provides a practical, evidence-based look at the cognitive biases that influence our actual well-being and happiness.
Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Project · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Well-being, Behavioral Change, Mindful Living.
This podcast complements the themes of Furiously Happy by offering actionable, habit-based advice for those seeking to improve their daily mental state through mindful, intentional self-reflection.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Furiously Happy a memoir about mental health?
Yes, Furiously Happy is a humor memoir where Jenny Lawson examines her personal experiences with severe depression and other conditions. The book explores how navigating these challenges has led her to embrace life to the fullest through a blend of humor, tragedy, and pathos.
What is the primary theme of Furiously Happy?
The primary theme of Furiously Happy is the author's journey of living life to the fullest despite struggling with severe depression. Jenny Lawson uses humor and pathos to explain how her specific health conditions have shaped her unique outlook and approach to daily experiences.
Does Furiously Happy include serious topics?
Although Furiously Happy is categorized as a humor memoir, it is intentionally tinged with tragedy and pathos. The book addresses the reality of living with severe depression, balancing heavy emotional subjects with the author's signature comedic perspective to make the narrative worthwhile for the reader.
Who is the author of Furiously Happy?
The author of Furiously Happy is Jenny Lawson. Published in 2017, this work became a number one New York Times bestseller by documenting her life with severe depression and other conditions through a mix of humor and serious reflection on her personal history.