Anonymous
“I know how hard it is sometimes to survive and succeed in this crazy world as a woman, it feels like you always have to take that extra step so you are taken seriously, at least I have noticed that as a young woman in the business world. So, I think we women should encourage and help each other.”
She began her quest for freedom at an early age. At age 16, she was already managing an office and living on her own. She also took up work in the stables, which became her safe haven. She was determined to escape an upbringing consumed by negativity. But her autonomy was leading to exhaustion, and she was craving an adventure. She decided to pack her bags and move across Europe. She has now lived in many different countries, and has made many discoveries throughout her travels. She has learnt that success should be measured by the people you meet, the experiences you have, and the love that you have for yourself and those around you. She has built a fulfilling life for herself due to the courageous choices she made when she was a girl and continues to make as a woman. This is her story.
P: Please introduce yourself!
A: Hi! I´m a 28-year-old woman from southern Finland.
During the last 10 years I have lived mostly abroad and spent the last couple years in Lapland.
I studied business economics and have been working since age 15 in marketing, export and sales, but also with horses as a riding instructor, stable manager and guide.
I’ve also had a small consulting company since 2019 but currently have been focusing other things in life, someday I still want to see myself as a full-time entrepreneur again.
Friends, sports and animals are in my top 3. How lame would life be without supportive people, unconditional love from animals and hobbies which give you good energy and keep you healthier!?
P: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
A: Independent and charismatic extrovert who is a little obsessed with horses, music, nature and travelling.
You mostly see me smiling, talking and joking, except if I’m deeply focused on something, then I basically can’t even hear or see you.
I enjoy my own time a lot, but I also love to meet new people. One of the best things I know is to have deep conversations, hear different kind of opinions and life stories, and to learn from others.
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
A: My positivity and kindness. I don’t take life too seriously - there are a lot of things you just can’t control, so why stress about them?
I want to use this cliche: ‘’Overthinking kills the happiness.’’
Although I hope only good for all of you, I also know how to set boundaries - kindness should not ever be understood as a weakness.
I love myself and my life so much that I don’t see any reason to be mean to others, trying to push anyone down, talk sh*t or manipulate any kind of way and that is what I hope from others too.
If someone treats you badly, dump them from your life, who would like to have that kind of negativity in their life?
People who have the same positive energy and openminded thinking are precious.
A: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that has defined you or made you stronger?
E: Short story: different countries, different cities, different kind of workplaces and lots of people who have taught me lessons as good as bad.
But what did drive me to this. Curiosity - obviously - but also something else.
Well, starting from my early years, being independent has been my only choice. I got bullied in school and at the same time my parents weren’t there for me, they never liked my way to see things, so I learned to reliable only myself. Horse stables seemed to be my only getaway, my safe space.
When I turned 15 years old, I already ran an office alone a couple months into being a summer worker. I moved on my own when I was only 16, and had saved enough money. So basically, I was studying, working and training horses at the same time.
A couple years passed and I wanted to escape from this rat race for a while. I started to look for new opportunities and got my response from Germany. Just before that I gathered all my strength to get out from my abusive relationship, gladly it only lasted a year - but felt like ten.
Things got even worse. About week after I had to say final goodbyes to one of my closest friends who died in an accident.
So, it was easy to say YES to that offer and I moved after two weeks.
I‘ll never forget that moment when I was looking outside of that airplane window and saw how my home city and Finland was left behind - I felt light-hearted.
Even though my German experience included long work hours, exhaustion and some sleepless nights, it was still the best thing that had happened to me at that point.
It was an incredibly great opportunity to learn from the best dressage riders, so I’m very grateful about that!
Anyway, I decided to move back in Finland for a while. I did study more and worked as a real estate agent for a while, then a marketing manager, export coordinator and later an office manager. I was kind of trying different things. Gladly I’ve had employers who have trusted me enough to give me a lot of responsibility, without seeing my young age as a problem. Later, when I started my company, my first client was a new real estate agency which I helped with marketing as well as sales.
I still felt like something was missing and again I found myself looking for a new adventure.
I sold most of my stuff, gave the rest to charity and moved to Usa and then Iceland after.
In November 2018 I packed my car again and drove to Lapland. It was supposed to be couple months “project” which eventually lasted over 2 years. First I worked as a sales coordinator but soon I found myself at the stables again. For the rest of the time I was working as guide and riding instructor - what a great life.
Last year I got job offer from southern Finland for one year. So here I am, working as a production coordinator for another three months until I have some new exiting plans again.
Overall, I’ve had my ups and downs. There have been times when I’ve been dealing with deep depression but somehow managed to survive from it alone with smile on my face. After those days you really learn to appreciate the happy moments.
Behind this behaviour you’ll find parents who didn’t allow this little girl to show any sadness, anger, or tiredness, so I learned to hide my feelings and needs already at a young age.
What goes around comes around.
Last couple year I was dealing with my old traumas, but learned to share my feeling with others, and began showing my weaknesses, which I think is a real strength! I can finally say I’m starting to know myself better day after day and I really like what I’m becoming.
In this process I needed to cut all toxicity out of my life and made room only supportive, genuine people. I haven’t regretted this even for one minute.
So, goodbye to all those hurtful words, manipulation, criticizing, humiliation and controlling,
I don’t want that in my life ever again.
I’m happy and at peace. I won’t lose myself ever again.
P: What is one piece of advice you’d give your younger self?
A: Trust yourself, you’re perfectly enough just the way you are. Be fearless and don’t be afraid to look stupid in front of others.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
I can be whatever I want if I have enough motivation and interest, there are no rules for how I should live my life, how to behave or look, I don’t need anyone’s approval.
I’m not less women without kids or husband by my side.
I know how hard it’s sometimes to survive and succeed in this crazy world as a woman, it feels like you always have to take that extra step so you are taken seriously, at least I have noticed that as a young woman in the business world.
So, I think we women should encourage and help each other.
Only the sky is limit of what we can achieve!
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say if they were here now?
A: I’ve met so many smart, caring, funny women in my life so it was hard to say who is the most inspiring.
Years ago, I was telling a story about how I’m going to work hard, all day every day, just to get enough money so I could retire at younger age. One smart, older woman accidentally heard me and said: ´”Why won’t you live your life now when you’re young, when you still have lot of energy and curiosity for new things. Meet people and get to know different cultures. You have plenty of time ahead to make a career or maybe at that point you have already figured out what’s you calling, something you’re passionate about.’’
These words hit me differently. I was speechless for a moment, she really got me thinking. I would like to thank her for bringing out a different point of view. She forced me to think outside the box.
We only have this one short life, we should enjoy it and do what we like.
As long as we are happy!