The Finnish Art of Slowing Down - Northern Finland | A Journal
I recently started dabbling in the art of traditional Finnish sourdough rye bread making and, as with any bread baking, it comes with its trials and lessons. Over the past six months I have made perhaps over 15 batches, and only the last two have been brag worthy from start to finish, although my husband always reassures me they are indeed edible and delicious every time.
In taking on this new adventure of going back to my roots and baking the bread of my ancestors, it has indeed showed me the incredible benefits of the Finnish art of slowing down. An art I also witnessed during our time in Northern Finland.
“Sisu can refer to ‘stoic determination, hardiness, courage, bravery, willpower, tenacity and resilience.’ It’s ‘an action-oriented mindset.’ You don’t brag about having sisu; you just “let your actions do the talking.”
I was born and raised in rural west central Minnesota in the small town of New York Mills which, to this day, still holds onto many Finnish traditions in the majority of families with Finnish ancestry, and has even trickled into those without. In our region you will still find many who practice (although subconsciously) many Finnish ways of living: you’ll have no trouble finding a hot wood-stove sauna, rustic cabins in the woods or along the waterways for little getaways or hunting parties, avid fishermen and sportmen, various skilled tradesmen, artisans and craftsmen, and many who enjoy the winter sport of cross-country skiing. You’ll see large families and those who are conscious of sustainability and resourcefulness. You’ll find an abundance of individuals overflowing with sisu and a touch of frugality.
But it’s not just the professions, activities or individuals that resembles those of Finland, you can also find it amongst the landscape. There is no shortage of spruces, pines, and birch, and you won’t have an issue finding rivers, lakes and suomaa (swampland).
Ii, Finland
Fun Fact:
One-third of Finland’s land is swamp and one theory suggests that the name Suomi (Finland) comes from the word suomaa. I myself actually grew up along the edges of the swamp where we were never short of explorations, hunting and adventure and a cabin tucked into the woods. But it wasn’t until later I fully understood why my ancestors chose MN as their new home.
Although we grew up Finnish in the way we lived, we were still stuck in the American hustle. We live fast paced lives often exchanging convenience for connection and balance. I especially adopted the art of “busy” both due to where I live and my trauma history - and over these past several years I have consciously made the decision to slow down making drastic changes to my life. Though the battle may not have been easy it has been incredibly beneficial to the body, mind and spirit. Our honeymoon trip to Northern Finland in 2024 was another catapult into a more simple and blissful life.
During our time in Northern Finland we were blessed with the opportunity to go fishing with our dear Finnish friends. If you grew up in the US where lakes freeze over you have definitely seen an abundance of Ice Castles and Yetis scattered across the lakes, paired with their ATVs or vehicles. But while we were out checking fishing nets on the Bothnian Bay - you didn’t see anything of the sort. Fisherman walked across the ice with either their backpack of gear or pulling it behind on a sled. The augers weren’t electric or gas powered, you used what the good Lord gave you - your hands and an old fashioned auger, and sometimes even a saw blade. There were no fish houses. There were no ATVs. It was just you, the frozen bay and dots of fisherman across the horizon. Other than the kids we observed being pulled by sled behind a motorbike (which I could easily envision our clan back home enjoying in these types of shenanigans), there was no urgency or flashy equipment. It was just the simple art of fishing - intentionally and connected to the land.
Sunset on the Bothnian Bay - Northern Finland
Net Fishing Equipment - Bothnian Bay, Northern Finland
Net fishing harvest - Bothnian Bay, Northern Finland
Cutting holes for setting fishing nets - Bothnian Bay, Finland
Dusk on the Bothnian Bay - Northern Finland
Although so much of these experiences were new there was still a deep sense of familiarity that ran thru my bones. I can recall one of the days we were checking nets, it was just me and my husband with our friend Antti until his wife Päivi, our dear friend, was able to join us. Upon her arrival they began speaking in Finnish and I vividly remember how much it completely shook me and my reality to the core. It was at this moment that I remembered we were actually in Northern Finland, standing on the frozen Bothnian Bay with friends and not back home in Minnesota on a frozen lake.
This slower pace and connection was also observed when we spent some time at the cabin in the woods. We cut a hole in the frozen river (joki) with a saw blade to retrieve water for the sauna by pail and went to begin our lunch.
We entered the little kota (hut) with our makkara (sausage) in hand ready for cooking on the soon-to-be-lit fire. Our good friend Antti grabbed his chaga root, flint and karkku (fire striker). The chaga root was placed against the flint while he continued to strike the flint until the chaga root began to have a faint glow of an ember. The ember was placed inside a roll of birch bark, being fed with the breath until flames arose to light our fire. And just as the birch needed a breath of fresh air, I too discovered that these deep moments of slowness and connection breathed new life into me.
Karkku (fire striker) or Tulusrauta (fire steel)
Tin of chaga root, flint and karkku (fire striker)
Striking the flint and chaga root
Glowing chaga root ember placed on birch bark
The fire master himself - Antti
Cooking our makkara - Northern Finland
By taking on this task of traditional Finnish sourdough rye bread, it has reminded me yet again of the importance of slowing down and creating balance and connection. It’s crazy being able to feel that sense of urgency running through my veins in something like baking bread. The processes can take anywhere from 2-3 days from start to finish, where most the time is spent feeding the starter, waiting and observing. It has become a practice that makes me more intentional of my time, taking those moements to slow down, connect and breathe - often bringing me back to our time in Finland, but now I have a little taste of Finland here in America.
Here is your reminder to take a step back today, breathe in some fresh air and whisper to yourself:
”I am a human-being, not a human-doing. I am created for love, connection and balance.”
Sending love and God’s peace to all.
Sourdough Rye Buns
Interested in trying your own
Authentic Finnish Sourdough Rye Bread?
Follow the link below to the blog post I used as a starting point for my rye buns.
This is what I used to finally get the best results!
You will also find the steps for creating your own starter or contact me for a dry version.
You will need to experiment to find the best ratios for water and flour
depending on the type of rye flour you use.
Wishing you the best of luck! Happy baking!
