Glenn Close Found Finnish Serenity – What Can We Learn From the Healing Power of Nature?
Hollywood star Glenn Close found simple beauty in the stillness in Finland. Nature has the power to bring peace and meaning to our lives – but do we know how to truly stop and embrace it?
Imagine the sound of water gently lapping against the rocks, with nothing but silence surrounding you. This is how Hollywood star Glenn Close experienced the Finnish summer in the archipelago.
Picture the Silence: Glenn Close’s Unforgettable Experience
Glenn Close recently shared magical moments from her time filming The Summer Book in the Finnish archipelago. She spoke about her love for nature and how she took long walks with her dog through forests, along cliffs, and on beaches during breaks in filming.
It was delightful to read how Glenn Close enjoyed the same things that bring me joy!
While in Finland, she explored the Finnish state of mind, even spending a night in a cabin without electricity:
"Close remembers every detail of the experience. She describes how a pair of swans swam near the filming location and how wonderful it was to wake up at dawn to the sunrise. – The water gently lapped against the rocky shore, and the night never turned completely dark."
As a Finn, this all feels ordinary yet deeply cherished to me. This is how it is here – when you leave the city behind. Her experience makes you pause and wonder how often we truly give time to the peace of nature in our busy lives.
(Could you imagine spending a day or a night next summer without electricity, just like Glenn Close did?)
I can’t help but think that Close’s connection with Finnish nature reflects something universal – a longing for simplicity and the calming presence of the natural world.
Time in Nature Brings Us Back to Basics
The longing to connect with nature is universal and timeless. In Finland, nature is close even in cities, but we too crave the deeper connection of being immersed in it.
In summer, Finnish cities empty as people head to their cottages in the countryside. Most cottages are by lakes or the sea, where the sounds of water, morning and evening swims, and dipping your toes in the lake while sitting on a dock are the quintessential experiences of a Finnish summer.
The simple peace and silence of nature ground us and bring clarity to our thoughts.
Sitting by the lake or on the steps of a sauna, you suddenly find yourself wondering:
Why am I in such a rush?
What truly matters in life?
Am I spending my time on things that are meaningful to me?
Nature encourages these reflections, and Glenn’s story reminds us how unique and valuable this experience truly is. While nature might feel familiar to Finns, it holds the power to inspire people around the world to seek more peace and stillness.
But how can you bring that same sense of peace into your daily life?
Try This: A Simple Way to Find Balance and Clarity
Think about this:
Where is a safe, quiet place near your home where you can sit peacefully in nature?
Maybe by a lake, a park, or somewhere you can gaze into the distance and listen to the sounds of the outdoors?
If you’re not sure, I challenge you to find such a place.
Go there and sit for 15 minutes, completely still and alone.
No music.
No phone notifications.
No company.
Just sit there, quietly and by yourself.
I promise it will calm your mind. You might even find yourself thinking clearly, feeling your own emotions, and reconnecting with your thoughts.
Nature heals.
Nature Is My Greatest Resource
For me, spending time in nature is one of the most important factors for my mental well-being.
When I’m busy and stressed from work, I love to take my dogs, get in the car, and drive somewhere remote. I find a place where my dogs can run freely, and I can simply watch them, gaze into the distance, and take deep breaths.
In those moments, I enjoy life; the rush disappears, and being in nature makes me feel part of something bigger. I am grateful for these moments and for recognizing their importance to my well-being.
My Own Story: Crying in the Snow
I remember one winter day years ago when I was on the verge of burnout. Work and personal life were overwhelming, and I felt powerless against it all.
For me, total exhaustion feels like a constant pressure on my chest, and it often shows in tearfulness. At that time, I felt like I was about to burst into tears at any moment. One afternoon after work, I went for a walk with my dog, as I always did. But this time, I left the usual path and wandered into the forest.
I remember having a strange thought: I just wanted to hide – from everything.
Eventually, I found a spot that felt right. It wasn’t special, just a patch of snow surrounded by young spruces. Yet, it felt like the right place.
I sat down in the snow, then lay down on my back. My dog rushed to check on me, sensing something was wrong. I reassured him:
"Let’s just stay here for a while. Let’s just be."
He calmed down and lay beside me.
I lay there, looking up at the gray sky and the tall pines. I felt small and powerless – but also strangely free.
I let myself cry. It wasn’t just sadness or frustration; it felt cleansing.
The cold tears stung in the crisp winter air, but I stayed there for nearly 20 minutes until I started to feel cold all over.
It was a small, almost sorrowful moment in the middle of a busy life. Yet, as I walked back home, I felt better. It had helped.
The Healing Power of Nature: Inspired by Glenn Close
Glenn Close’s experience in Finland is an inspiring reminder of how small, simple moments can bring immense joy and meaning to our lives.
If you’d like to hear Glenn Close describe her experience in her own words, check out this interview (includes English clips).
What about you? Do you turn to nature when stress grows and life feels like an endless workout on an ever-accelerating treadmill?