These opposites are present in my experiences of Finnishness everyday; in the summer I spend all my free time outside and in the winter hardly any of it – but if I do venture outside it is often for plunging myself into ice cold water in the lake only to then run inside to the hot sauna.
This contrasting existence also has solitude that is still intertwined in community, or the other way around, even in the things you enjoy alone. In public saunas, I am sitting alone but I am sharing this quintessentially Finnish experience with others at the same time. When I wait for the bus, I wait for it alone, but with others who are also making sure they’re far enough from the other people. In the summer I went to a small village cafe that was in an old Finnish manor, because on a berry-picking trip we were caught in sudden heavy rain – everyone was there either alone or in pairs, also running from the storm – most were also on a berry-picking trip cut short. Me and my friend agreed to heat up the sauna after we got home to warm up. I overheard others making similar plans.
Finnishness is such a fun experience; we are quiet and reserved, but swear loudly in words that are rough-sounding. People avoid small talk like it’s the plague, but will sit naked in hot rooms with strangers. There’s a profound respect for nature and appreciation for the fruits of it. Berry-picking is a fun activity to do in the Finnish forests and running from the unpredictable weather equally so. But no matter the weather we feel we might as well heat up the sauna.
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