Virtual reply to a postcard through sendsomething.net

Hey C,

Thanks for your postcard—what a surprise to hear from Australia! I’m impressed it made it all the way here.

You asked if I’m proud of Finland… honestly? Not at all. The systems here look shiny from the outside, but living through them has been another story. I’ve faced a lot of unfairness and red tape. It’s wild how often we’re used as an international poster child when so many are struggling in silence. Even Netherlands seems happier sometimes?

You also asked how I became pagan—well, it wasn’t a sudden shift. I’ve always felt drawn to nature, cycles, symbols. It started in my teens when I felt completely out of place in this world and stumbled into Wicca forums and radio (ah, the old internet!). Now it’s more solitary and intuitive, not bound by any tradition. I light candles, wear my symbols, and pay attention to signs. Speaking of which—I’m wearing some new bracelets right now. 

Crazy Finns, though? Oh yeah, we exist. You’d think the long winters would slow us down, but nope. There’s always someone naked in the snow somewhere, probably with a beer and a death metal playlist.

Today’s the first real sunlight I’ve had in eight months. You can feel it in your bones when the sun finally returns—like your soul defrosts.

P.S. You seem smart, but just in case—don’t do any reckless financial stuff in your 20s, especially now. Student loans and “just one trip to Bali” can haunt you. Then again, you study economics so I assume you’re more clever than I was.

Wishing you light— Kajsa

Salutations! I’m Cody, and if you are reading this, my little postcard made it to you all the way from Australia!! I apologise that the artwork is a touch strange—I bought it in a set that had an environmentalist theme, but the joke doesn’t hit without that context & being sent by a dude haha XD Congratulations on your country being crowned the world’s happiest country for an eighth year—ours fell from the top 10 this year which saddens me. As an economics student and a proud member of our public service workforce, I have a lot of admiration for your country’s governance. I regard it as the right way forward for our developed world. Write to me about life in Finland? Do you have pride for your country? I hear that you get much less sunlight than we do—do you mind it?

Ooh and how did you become a pagan? What does your practice look like? I think it’s really cool! :D

Kind regards,

— Cody

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Postmarked: 24 MAR 2025

From: Melbourne, VIC, Australia

To: Kajsa Blom, Finland (Site mentioned: sendsomething.net)