The first thing that comes to my mind when I think about Finnishness is nature and the connection Finns have with it. Finland is a country where nature is always close. Even if you live in a city, it is usually not difficult to find a forest, a lake, or a quiet place where you can escape from everyday life.
Growing up in Finland, I have always thought of nature as something normal and almost taken for granted. Going to the forest for a walk, picking berries and mushrooms, going to a summer cottage, or swimming in a lake are all things that feel very Finnish to me. Many Finns also enjoy spending time in nature without necessarily doing anything special. Sometimes it is enough just to be there and enjoy the silence.
Another thing that I connect strongly with Finnishness is sauna. Sauna is such a normal part of Finnish life that it can be easy to forget how special it actually is. For many Finns, going to the sauna is not only about relaxing or getting warm. It is also a way of spending time with family and friends. At the same time, sauna can be a very personal moment when you can just relax and forget about everyday stress.
I also think that Finnishness is connected to the way people show that they care about each other. Finns are not necessarily very expressive with words, and showing emotions openly is not always common. Instead, caring can often be shown through actions. Someone might help you with something, bring you food, give you a ride, or simply be there when you need them. I think this is something I have also learned from growing up in Finland.
Finnishness, for me, is also about being comfortable with yourself and giving other people their own space. Finns often do not feel the need to be constantly surrounded by people or to talk all the time. There is something very normal about spending time alone and enjoying your own company. Personal space is important, and I think this is one of the things that I appreciate most about Finnish culture.
When I think about Finnishness now, I realize that many things I have always considered normal are actually connected to my culture. Nature, sauna, silence, personal space, and the quiet way of showing that you care are all things that have shaped how I see the world.
I think you understand your own culture better when you experience other cultures. Things that seem completely normal to me might seem unusual to someone else. For me, Finnishness is therefore not just about being Finnish. It is about the everyday things I have grown up with and the way they have shaped who I am.
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