When I think of Finland, the first thing that comes to my mind is untouched nature. It is the kind of scenery that makes you want to sit down, take it all in and just be there, because the views can leave you speechless.
My favourite part of Finnish nature is the sky. In Finland it is often full of colour at sunset and sunrise, and in winter there are the dancing northern lights, which give me goosebumps even when I only think about them. I also love the rivers and lakes. Few things beat relaxing on the shore with friends and feeling the wind pass by. In Finland, nature is not something far away that you visit on holiday. It is part of everyday life, and spending time in it, whether by the water, in the forest or in the sauna afterwards, is one of the most natural ways for Finns to relax. For me, this says a lot about Finnish values: simplicity, peace and respect for the environment.
The second thing that drew me to Finnishness is honesty. When people say what they mean and keep their word, everything becomes easier and less stressful. You don’t have to guess what someone really thinks or worry about hidden agendas. What I find special is that this honesty is not only found in individual people. You can see it in organisations, in society and even in the government, where trust and transparency are expected. This trust is part of what makes daily life in Finland run so smoothly.
Both of these sides of Finland lead to the same feeling for me: calm. Whenever I feel relaxed and at ease, I feel that this is exactly what Finnishness is.
Comments