Inside the sauna, with the picture window showing the field and trees in the distance.
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My Nordic self-care day: Trying an outdoor Finnish sauna in England

Last week, I needed to recharge and unwind, so I decided to do a bit of Nordic-inspired self-care: an outdoor Finnish sauna (in England!). I’ve seen a few outdoor saunas popping up and have been wanting to test how they stand up to the traditional experience. So, I booked myself in for a lunchtime visit…

From summer to winter(ing): Finding resilience in tough times
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From summer to winter(ing): Finding resilience in tough times

I’ve spent the past seven days in my own mini-winter: cocooning, resting, and retreating. This was my body and mind’s response to an unexpected pet emergency. My sweet little shihtzu, Mario, went completely blind last week. I love animals. So if you’re not much of a pet person, you might want to imagine something else…

Pessimism in Puolanka, Finland: The town where pessimists rule
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Pessimism in Puolanka, Finland: The town where pessimists rule

As a self-identifying optimist, I wouldn’t normally be drawn to a place that proudly markets its pessimistic outlook in slogans, billboards, and even a themed café. But this summer, Michael and I stumbled across Puolanka, a small Finnish town that has turned pessimism into an art form. A living satire on small-town life Puolanka, located…