It was a simple plan, my friend and I heading out for a forest date, set days in advance. The day itself held no extraordinary promise — just a typical Sunday and a modest patch of woodland a stone’s throw from home. But it’s precisely that sense of the ordinary that captivates me; it has a way of feeling remarkably fulfilling.
The morning greeted us with a dreary gray sky, relentless rain beating against the window when my friend arrived. Yet, our spirits remained untainted by the weather. Clad in our rain gear and sturdy boots, we decided to embrace the elements. Sure enough, just as we slipped beneath the protective canopy of the trees, the rain began to ease.
The Breath of the Spruce Forest
A towering spruce forest surrounded us, the treetops swaying gently in the wind. Waterlogged branches continued to unleash their burden, sending cool droplets cascading down onto our shoulders. The air was thick with the scent of damp spruce needles and rich moss; a fragrance that seemed to seep deeper into the lungs, breathing new life into the body. As many Finns remark, this kind of moment — when the forest offers its “oxygen-rich air” after a rain — allows one’s breath to slow, settling the mind the moment we stood beneath the trees.
We strolled along, gathering blueberries and sharing stories that had been kept in reserve. In the woods, conversation takes on a different tempo, more relaxed, almost meditative. Here, nestled in the silence of the forest, there’s no hurry to speak — the hours stretch out ahead like the vast silent landscape around us.
…Once You Sit on a Rock
Our path rose toward a rocky outcrop that commanded sweeping views of the forest below. A sea of fog floated languidly above the treetops, while clouds danced across the sky.
We pulled out our seat pads and settled onto the sun-warmed rock. With us, we had simple pleasures: a thermos filled with coffee and a few biscuits alongside dried mango — not luxurious, but just right. We lingered in that tranquil space, losing ourselves in conversation, pausing now and then to embrace the gentle sounds of the forest, relishing in the quiet that enveloped us. This stillness is what many Finns seek in nature: a respite free from performance, goals, or expectation — just the simple pleasure of being present.
A Mushroom Forest
As we meandered down a different path, the trail soon began to reveal a bounty of mushrooms. My friend’s excitement was palpable as they gathered chanterelles and porcini, slipping them into a small bag. Meanwhile, I continued to snack on blueberries — their flavor somewhat muted by the rain, yet the rhythm of foraging kept me engaged.
I found myself frequently pausing to capture the forest’s intricate details: stones draped in moss, the grey-green shimmer of lichen, and ferns unfurling towards the light like delicate spirals. Photography, for me, becomes a deliberate act of slowing down; it invites awareness to aspects of nature that might otherwise fade into the background, unnoticed.
If you’re interested in trying your hand at guided mushroom-picking, consider joining our weekly expeditions every summer Tuesday in Espoo, Nuuksio — just a short distance from Helsinki. Read more and secure your spot!
No Schedule
At this time of year in Finland, the darkness hesitates to settle in, granting us the freedom to embrace the forest’s embrace without haste. We wandered as our whims took us, pausing at will, navigating steep inclines or gingerly picking our way over slippery stones. Some stretches demanded our full attention, while others offered a canvas for our thoughts to wander freely.
By the time we returned home in the afternoon, we felt a satisfying blend of relaxation and fatigue. The hilly terrain had given our bodies a worthy workout, while our minds were cleared, revitalized with the simple beauty of the day. In the end, it was a gentle reminder that one doesn’t need grand adventures or distant destinations to feel fulfilled. An ordinary forest, a good friend, and a few hours to share — that is often more than enough.
Naturally, after a day like that, the only fitting culmination was to indulge in a sauna.
Read Next
Looking for advice on exploring the forest during a rainy day? Check out our tips!
Thinking about your first mushroom-picking adventure in Finland? We have you covered!
Discover how to find wellbeing in the Finnish woods — for both body and mind.