The Sauna
I went to two public saunas surrounded by Finnish people, and it was one of the best experiences I have had here. The heat was sitting at 89 degrees, and I stayed in for over ten minutes. Then I jumped straight into the cold lake water. I was not sure what to expect, but the feeling afterward was incredible. My body felt completely reset. I slept better that night than I had in a long time. It genuinely did something good for my mental health too.
What amazed me was watching the Finnish people around me doing this so naturally, like it was the most normal thing in the world. For them, it is. Finns have been doing this for generations, and seeing that in person made me respect them deeply for it. The sauna is not just about heat and cold. It is a ritual. A reset. A way of taking care of yourself that is built into everyday life here.
Silence
I am a very introverted person, so Finland felt like somewhere made for me. Finns are comfortable with silence in a way that is rare. Nobody fills the air with small talk just to be polite. Nobody expects you to perform or be “on.” You are simply allowed to be quiet, and that is completely fine.
For me, being in peace and silence is not loneliness. It is something I need. Finding a whole culture that understands that, without needing it explained, was a quiet kind of joy.
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