So, now that we’re all social distancing and self-isolating, what can we do to stay fit? The gym is out of the question, and doing yoga or pilates in the living room requires quite a lot of willpower. Not to mention that staying cooped up indoors in order to avoid a life-threatening illness makes breathing fresh air suddenly the only worthwhile goal…
‘Outdoorsy‘, that’s probably the one word nobody would ever use to describe me. In my opinion, ‘going for a walk’ should either involve some window shopping or a visit to a nice restaurant, and I would rather chop off my arm than go camping.
Yet, all it took was a pandemic for me to tap into ‘my inner Finn‘. You know, that mythical people-shunning, nature-loving creature that allegedly lurks just below the surface of even the most cosmopolitan and sophisticated Finn. A few weeks indoors with hardly any social contacts, and the monster within raises its head…
OK, it started as an ordinary walk through an ordinary suburban neighbourhood. Professor M likes long walks, and he really likes the area, with the quaint little houses and footpaths. It was me who led us off the beaten track: up the hill, climbing over the rocks, finding refuge among the trees.
I told you: the creature is there, inside every Finn, just biding its time, waiting to take over both the body and soul of even the most dedicated urban dweller, like the body-snatching pod-people in bad science fiction films.
Trust me, the danger is real: about 75% of this country consists of forests, so the body-snatching, forest-loving creature can strike at any time, provided you belong to the risk group. Fortunately, Professor M, being German, is safe. Not immune, though, but at least he can admire the forest from a safe distance without an overwhelming need to touch it…
Tiina
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Lovely to see you enjoying the fresh air and landscapes and Trees!. And I love your camouflage jacket, it rocks!
It has been quite surprising (a self-discovery!) that the one thing I miss these days is going for a walk under the trees (in our pretty civilized urban parks nearby the river, but there are some wilder paths too).
It’s pretty strange as I am a self-declared urbanite and proud of it. I totally agree about camping ;D
besos
Author
Thanks!
I miss the sea. And this experience has taught me that I really, really dislike suburbia (= living on the outskirts of the town, as far away from the centre and the sea as possible). It’s only 20 minutes by train to the centre of town (and the seaside), but now that we’re not supposed to venture too far from home it could just as well be on the other side of the world…
WOW you live in such a beautiful place! I love that photo of you with your arms out, embracing the fresh air! Gorgeous!
Suzy xx
Author
Thanks! That’s actually not where I live; it’s a small forest in the neighbour town, a short walk away.
I’m with you on city walks as they say in the song ‘take me where the concrete grows’ but I do like trees. At the moment any change of scene is good I moved an armchair into the bedroom as we get full Sun all day there, I sit in the window with factor 30 on. No bikini though.
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I’ve always wanted to live in a more urban setting, and hope that one day I will be able to afford it (house prices here are astronomical, especially in nicer areas). I have a feeling we’re going to know the suburban area where we live in quite well before this pandemic is over, trying find new areas for walks.
Fun post! I didn’t realize that were so many wooded areas. I am loving my outdoors time!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
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Thanks!
Yes, we have lots of forests, even in the biggest city of the country…
Being in the forest is calming, isn’t it?
And you have found such a tranquil spot. Lately there has been too many people in the forest to my taste: Lycra-clad men running / riding a bicycle way too fast, couples walking a dog so that it is impossible to get past them and keep a good safety distance… (or maybe it is just that I’m getting grumpy middle-aged lady?) I better get off the paths next time too. -q
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Yes, it is. But you’re right; it’s getting a bit crowded in parks and forests. At this rate, we’ll be looking for peace and quiet in those deserted shopping centres soon…
What a nice area you live in! Here where I Iive (large town), we have nice parks but unfortunately, they are now closed. Last week we went for walks in the park and it was so nice to get out but of course everyone else thought it was a good idea too! We stayed our 6 feet away and it was alright. I’m with you about the camping. Never been, never will go! But I do like to walk, especially by the ocean. Oh, Can’t do that either – boardwalks are closed! Hope you take more beautiful forest walks! Be safe. Arlene from NJ
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Thanks Arlene! This forest in actually in the neighbour town, a short walk away. But yes, there are lots of parks and forests in the area. And it’s the same here: everybody is trying to avoid ‘the busy areas’ and going to parks and forests instead.
Oh, I miss the sea, too! It’s not far, 20 minutes by train, but as we’re not supposed to go far from home…
Such a wonderful post, Tiina, with the perfect balance of humor and all the good feels of the great outdoors. I was never much of an outdoorsy person either until recently (although not as recently as you). I discovered a new found love and appreciation for being outside in nature last summer and it has stuck. However, the weather has been way too crummy for me to enjoy the outdoors. Hopefully soon I will be out walking and breathing in the fresh air. Thanks for sharing your adorable camo coat outfit and these gorgeous woodland photos of Finnish forests!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
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Thank you!
I can’t wait for spring; it will be so much nicer to go for walks when the weather is warmer, don’t you think?
It seems like you are enjoying nature.
Beautiful pics.
Meraki
Author
Thank you! Yes, it’s good to get some fresh air, especially now.
What fun photos! It’s nice you can get into nature so close to where you live! We have a beautiful little track through the bush that I like to walk the dogs along, we never see another person there, but sadly the rough terrain and the large loop it takes is too much for my knee. The kids have been asking about it though so hubby might have to take them – I’m limited to walking a little bit around the block!
Hope that you had a lovely Easter 🙂 Thanks so much for joining the #WeekdayWearLinkup! A new link up is live on my blog now, I’d love you to join again.
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Thanks Mica! Nature is never far away when you live in Finland; instead of parks, suburbs usually have ‘recreational areas’ where people can go for walks or go jogging or walk their dogs. In this case, though, we walked quite far from our own neighbourhood and trust me, I’m beginning to feel these long walks in my bones…
I am seriously starting to wondering if I have a little bit of Finn within me, I like trees and the outdoors (mud, not so much) and I am seriously quite OK with social isolation. Gravel-guy I suspect would move to Finland in a heart beat if he saw those photos – trees, outdoors, no people – he would be in his element I think.
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Ha Ha! Well we’d be very happy to have you here, for sure.