Michael’s diary: Week One in rural Finland
From the Finnish forest , Michael shares his reflections as he begins laying the groundwork for our shared dream. A little mud, a lot of mosquitoes, and the start of something new.
Day One
I forgot how beautiful Finland was. I’m sure people used to the green might say otherwise, but it was an incredible sensation. Not just for the nature, but for the roots my family has in the country. It felt good to be home — despite growing up in Canada. I’m starting off this journey with my cousin, who has kindly offered me a place to stay as I get settled, in exchange for some help around the property. I looked around the place and immediately fell into a mud hole. It went up to my knee and swallowed my boot whole…
It was a disaster of a start, but I laughed. I figured it would happen — just not this soon! At least it was out of the way, and I could get going with everything. There was plenty of work to be done around the place, but I knew the majority of my help would be trying to assist in the forests.
I figured it would be hard, but I didn’t realise how hard at the time.
Day Two
It was tough to sleep with the sun shining constantly — no curtains upstairs. A bit annoying, but not the worst thing to fall asleep to. I was thankful for the time off, knowing tomorrow would be more challenging.
Day Three
It felt like a workday. I hadn’t worked a 9–5 in years, but this was the same sensation. Would it be difficult? Could I do enough to help my cousin out?
We ventured into the forest once prepared. I had everything from a knife to bear repellent — a cartridge that makes a loud bang to scare them off. I hoped I’d never find out if it worked.
It was tough. I hadn’t exercised in years. My cousin leapt over creeks effortlessly; I struggled. But I kept at it. I’d promised to help, and I meant it. Eventually, we arrived at a clearing — the future site for chopping firewood. Mosquitoes swarmed, but we got a fire going and that helped.
I was overheating in a black hoodie and baggy pants, but I kept tending the fire. It was harder than I imagined. And I told my cousin so.
Day Four
Overwhelmed. I’d just spent a month with my sister — and now I wouldn’t see her for a while. Everything felt heavier.
Thankfully, my cousin had indoor tasks I could help with. I filled pots with dirt, trimmed overgrowth, cleaned the outhouse steps. It wasn’t a huge amount, but the hours flew by. I saw progress. It felt good.
Before and after photos of some of the clearing work:
Day Five
Missing my sister became part of the rhythm. I got used to our morning coffee walks in the UK. Now, I’d wake early, write before the heat set in, then help outside.
My job (writing) never felt like work — but I still pressured myself. I don’t know why. My clients told me to take my time. I didn’t listen.
That day I tackled an overgrown rhubarb patch. Barely 30 minutes in, I was boiling. I had to take a break. My cousin laughed:
“That’s why the work depends on the weather. If the sun is too much we can say ‘f*** you sun’ and do something else.”
Later, I accidentally broke the cover over our water well. Panic. But it turned out the purifier made it fine, and the cover needed replacing anyway. Relief.
Day Six
A full day off. No writing. No yardwork. I stayed inside, tried to cool down upstairs, and drank as much water as possible. The day passed in a blur.
Day Seven
Sunday. I got up early, hoping to beat the sun and mosquitoes. It worked — mostly.
I cleared more of the rhubarb patch, then shifted to pulling nettles between the workshop and storage. I got stung, of course. But it wasn’t that bad.
Then something magical: I spotted a tiny frog… and then, a salamander! I ran for my phone and, miraculously, they both waited long enough for a photo.
That’s when I realised — this place was already giving back. And I’m grateful.
Thanks for reading this first entry from my time in Finland. Stay tuned for more— and follow along on Instagram [@wildnordicroots]
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