While I was creating an illustration of “The Great Outdoors”, I started to think more about why I like being outdoors and why nature is so important to me. I share the reasons and the illustration here in pieces that make up the whole picture in the end. I wonder if you can relate to…
Category: Art/Design
Art can inspire change and action to improve the environment
Each of us can promote the wellbeing of our environment. In addition to our daily choices, we can influence by creating art that evokes emotions, thoughts and actions. I introduce here two environmental art projects that are close to my heart. Both of them were made years ago, but they’re still relevant and even more…
Diving Into the See of Wanderlust
The term Wanderlust originates from the German words wandern (to hike) and Lust (desire). Today it’s mostly used in connection with traveling – however, Wanderlust can have much broader and deeper meanings, and it can even serve as a life philosophy. Here are some examples of what and how. Upside Down artwork by Sibylla Walpen. The Bernese Alps in…
Find a treasure trove beyond routines and achievements
Habits and goals can be the cornerstones for maintaining focus and moving things forward. However, nowadays we talk so much about them that we may forget there’s much more to life! If we are always doing things efficiently with goals in mind and our days revolve around rituals, we can start to feel exhausted, restricted,…
What do a hike and a design project have in common, and how to prepare for both?
I love hiking and I love designing. Their processes resemble each other. Sometimes a hike or a project can be so simple that not much planning is needed, but if it’s a bit more demanding work/route, the journey might go as described below. Photo of me in the mountains taken by Mirta Kess The different…
Breathe in… Breathe out… Repeat
Breathing is the first and last thing we do here on earth. And there’s the whole lifetime between for us to learn to breathe better – in ways that improve our health and quality of life. Better breathing helps us to relax, sleep, digest, remember, focus, move… the list goes on. Fortunately, it’s never too…
The many colors of the Sisu courage
You may have heard about the Finnish term/mentality called sisu – described as extraordinary courage, grit and resilience. Like an inner fire driving you to reach almost impossible goals. Sisu can be seen as a verb, it’s determination in action*. Sisu is often associated with toughness and masculine power but it also has a colorful and softer side that deserves to be shed some light on. A…
Taking a swim for a fresher feeling + testing 17 outdoor swimming places in Zurich
Because I come from ‘the country of thousands of lakes’ = Finland, I’m used to swimming in natural waters. The water wasn’t often that warm but there were saunas for warming up when needed. The recipe for a perfect summer day in my childhood: First to the sauna, then to the lake, then back to the…
Cherish your relationship with your country of residence
A new country is like a new relationship. Sometimes the chemistry is there right away, sometimes not. Like in relationships, getting to know each other helps to understand other one better. Your own attitude also affects the development of the relationship. Every experience of living in a foreign country is unique. How each person experiences…
Abroadland 