FINNISH WINTER
FEBRUARY 7, 2019
We’ve been in Helsinki for about 4 months now, and I can’t believe we are already in February. Time is flying, but somehow it feels like it’s been winter for three years? The winters are everything I was afraid in Helsinki, but there is something invigorating about walking in freezing temperatures with the entire city, bundled up under giant Christmas lights. I’m sure if you’re from the East Coast or Minnesota, long winters aren’t news to you, but wow. Finland winters hard, like it snows every day. Though Finns say to be grateful for the snow because apparently it hasn’t really been snowing much the past ten years, and instead it’s been wet and windy and dark. Sounds like a Chicago winter which everyone knows is the worst
The other day, we went to an outdoor art installation spanning several blocks across the city, and there were hundreds of people there with their kids and dogs, all making their way through at least a foot of snow. It was really quite incredible. Also, few people have cars in the city so it will be blizzarding and people will push their babies in strollers like its no big deal.
Some people love winter. I am not one of those people. I’m from California and if every day was summer for the rest of my life, I would be okay. My dream is to move to Mexico and lay out until I become a tan, wrinkly prune after I sell all my winter clothes, thermals, and scarves. But until then, here are my tips for surviving winter, especially here in Finland.
Layers. The best way to not freeze to death while walking outside is to make sure you’re wearing enough clothes and appropriate. Base layers, tights under your jeans, thermals, chunky knits, wool, scarves, gloves, and then coats. And boots with good traction! I just fell last week and my knee is wrecked. Also, HeatTech is life.
Exercise. I started boxing and lindy hop classes, both great places to stay active. I prefer indoor activities like reading and netflix, but winter is dark and tedious without exercise. I’ll still walk places, but I don’t enjoy being outside when it dips into the negative numbers and the entire city is covered in lumpy ice from freezing, defrosting and refreezing. Finns don’t seem to mind too much. They ice skate, cross-country ski, and even go running with snow cleats strapped on. I’m also pretty sure they’re Spartan/Vikings.
Citrus! We eat a lot of clementines, which thankfully is a winter fruit. Something about citrus helps with SAD. It’s delicious and makes me feel better so win-win.
Candles. This one may seem kinda silly, but when the sun goes down at 3 PM, and you’re bluer than Blues Clues, candles help! We are renting a furnished apartment for a year, so I can’t really decorate with plants or pillows. Thankfully they don’t have Anthropologie here so that helps. Candles are beautiful and smell good, and something about a flickering fire source makes you feel at home. I know Byredo and Diptyque do candles, but Jon Farmer would die of a heart attack if I purchased a $100 candle. But this Voluspa candle from Nordstrom might be the thing I miss most from America right now. It smells like Heaven, doesn’t cost $100, and the jar is gorgeous.
Vitamins. I also take a daily Vitamin D supplement called Mini-sun. We lived in Denver before moving to Helsinki and it’s so sunny there, it was never a problem, but in Helsinki, the sun comes out maybe once every two weeks, and even cloudy daylight is limited to a few hours a day. Though now that it’s February the days are getting longer, and I’m only thankful. Also, the light therapy lamps help too. We turn it on for a few hours every evening.
Community. Lastly, this one is a bit more abstract, but kinda like the art installation, I think a sense of community is everything and nothing brings people together like food. Jon is part of an architecture program with 16 other people from all over the world, all gathered in Helsinki to study wood technology. It’s been lovely getting to know them even though I’m not in the program. I think winter feels especially hard because it’s not only cold and dark, but it can also feel lonely and isolating, so I like to host dinners with friends. Recently we had a molé and quesadilla night and somehow we crammed twenty people in our 400 sq. ft. apartment. It was lovely.
MAKING MEMORIES