Being Finnish is to live in a country with beautiful landscapes and lakes (at least for half of the year). It’s about feeling a strong bond with the Nature. Nature is a place where every Finn finds comfort, strength, and sometimes a hint of sadness. Sadness, or rather a sense of melancholy, is a common part of Finnish life.
It’s not about being unhappy, but more like a quiet acceptance of life’s bittersweet experiences. This feeling is visible in Finnish culture, from the sounds of Sibelius to the dark winter nights. The long, dark winters challenge the spirit, while the brief summers bring a burst of life. Finns have learned to appreciate these contrasts, finding joy in the simple pleasure of a hot cup of coffee on a chilly day or the rush of jumping into a freezing lake.
This resilience is central to what it means to be Finnish. The term we Finns use is sisu. Sisu is something that pushes you forward in even the roughest of days.
Ultimately, being Finnish is about enjoying the quietness, personal space and the solitude that the nature offers. Realizing that melancholy isn’t a weakness, but an important part of the human journey. This sensation makes the happy days feel even better.
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