29

Moving from northern Sweden to southern Finland 

The end of December in Umeå

"Everything I own"

It is easy to relocate when the amount of objects one lives with is minimal. 

Disclaimers:

• I gave away some items (such as books and bowls) before I moved to Finland. The books I can borrow from the university library. Some of the items I hope to borrow from friends. 
• Before moving, I allowed myself to run out of some things such as soap and shampoo bar. Locally made products such as these can be bought anywhere. 
• I don't own any furniture or appliances. The furniture and appliances I could use in Sweden belonged to the housing company. The apartment where I will spend a few months here in Finland is (unfortunately) furnished. Afterwards I hope to find something which is not furnished. 
• My yoga mat is not in the picture below.
• Most of my documents are digital. 
• There is nothing that I posted to myself when I moved. I travelled with everything that I normally live with.   
• I don't plan to acquire more things in Finland. When I moved from the UK to northern Sweden, I had to invite more objects into my life (such as a scarf and mittens) because the climate is so different. 
• I am relocating solo.
• The most challenging aspect of the move is emotional. Slow travel (by train and ferry) gave me some time to reflect on this relocation. 

Stockholm in the end of December

New home

28

 Saying "Hejdå" to beautiful northern Sweden

Relocating to southern Finland from northern Sweden without flying can unfold in any of these ways: by land, e.g., via Tornio (Torneå) in northern Finland, by sea from Umeå to Vaasa (and then by train to Helsinki) or by sea from Stockholm to Helsinki (there is a direct train from Umeå to Stockholm). I decided to go to Stockholm by train and then take a ferry to Helsinki. This way I don't need any other transport such as a bus or a car, plus it's a familiar route. There is much technology involved. Instead of printing all the tickets, it seems much easier to install apps (such as Swedish railways app and the ferry company's app). 

Overall, saying goodbye to northern Sweden, in my case, entails going for walks and spending time with dreamy northern nature. In terms of voluntary simplicity, it means giving away many of the objects I've lived with here. Some objects will be returned to the Geography department, others to my colleagues and friends, yet others (the ones I bought here) will be or already have been given away to those people who want them. There are not many objects to begin with, but this relocation gives me an opportunity to yet again ask myself what I want to live with. Some of the objects I might need again in Finland, but I hope to borrow them from my friends there.