…through Sonja’s eyes:

“When Catarina asked me what a perfect day at Olo would look like, I paused to consider my answer. As I wrote and reflected on it, I realized that perfection wasn't what I was trying to describe. Automatically, I had shifted away from the idea of perfection and towards something more allowing. In any case, here is my not-so-brief answer for Catarina, as well as a glimpse into what goes on in my mind and at Olo for our guests to see.”

Come as you are

A perfect day at Olo occurs when all three aspects of myself receive attention: my body, mind, and soul. My body wants to be moved, my mind needs to be nourished and my soul strives to be free.

Simply spending time at Olo does not require any special activities. In fact, I try to engage in ordinary activities with a little more intention and without interruptions. I believe that our guests - some maybe unknowingly - are often doing the same.

One of the best feelings I get to experience while working at Olo are the moments when I can see our guests realizing, that they are free to be themselves. Unlike many other places where there may be pressure to conform to certain expectations, Olo is a place where people are encouraged to simply be who they are.

Inspiration boost for the mind

Each person has their own rhythm for navigating through their day, and I find that my mind works the best during the morning hours. That’s why my day begins with freshly grounded coffee and choosing my workspace for the day. Once I have chosen the working spot and settled into a comfortable position, I allow my mind to flow and soak in the inspiration through reading or writing.

So far I have found my working spaces inside of the main building, but I know that some of our guests have been taking their work outside of the house. I think that this kind of playfulness is what many workplaces are lacking today, and I love to see that people are embracing the opportunity to work differently while staying here. The nature around Olo is breathtakingly beautiful, and I am definitely going to follow our guests’ example and have a few writing sessions outside in the upcoming spring.

Movement in the nature for the body

After lunch I often find myself still feeling productive, so I try to keep working. However, if I'm facing an irresistible view outside, it can be difficult to stay indoors and focused on my screen. On days when the weather is ideal and I'm feeling active, my go-to choice is to grab my SUP board and head out onto the calm waters of Lake Saimaa. There is no more calm and serene feeling than when I am lying on my back in the middle of the calm lake and just listening to the sound of the water and the wind.

Olo is situated between two National Parks, Kolovesi and Linnansaari, but the rest of the lakeland is also worth exploring. From the front yard of Olo, I can take a peaceful walk through the forest to reach Olo’s deck. From there, it's effortless to continue the journey on the water. Paddling is super fun but surprisingly heavy, which is why it is essential to pack food and drinks to go. For shorter solo trips I prefer to go light with just a thermos and a nut mix, but with company I like us to take a proper break and enjoy eating together in the nature.

When you need to slow down

On the days when it feels like I want nothing extra, I do nothing extra. As someone who also has a home in the suburbs of the city, Olo is the perfect place for me to escape for a while. After spending two years coming here on and off, I've learned that these days are inevitable and it's important to listen to what my body is telling me. Thankfully, my co-workers have a good understanding of this, and sometimes they even realize it's happening before I do. The first thing I do on these days is turn off the sound, notifications, and internet on my phone. From there, I let my intuition guide me and choose activities that bring me the most joy, whether it's taking a long nap, meditating and journaling, or taking a day trip to Savonlinna and go for a walk in Sulosaari.

Whether I choose to spend my day online or offline, the ultimate reward of the day is always a good night's sleep. I've struggled with sleep issues for as long as I can remember, and I would say that I'm quite picky about the environment in which I sleep. At Olo, I always sleep soundly. It's not just because of the comfortable beds, clean air, and darkness of the bedrooms; it's also the atmosphere that surrounds me. I remember feeling this immediately when I first arrived at Olo. The bedrooms are thoughtfully designed to support rest, and I believe Catarina and Markus have done an excellent job in creating a peaceful environment that promotes deep relaxation.

Freedom of choice for the soul

I have now shared a little bit about what my days at Olo can look like. Somewhere between the lines, I hope I was able to convey what parts of Olo feed my soul. During the summer season, days start earlier for me with breakfast, but the main idea remains the same. The things we have to do, the things we need to do, and the things we want to do cannot always be in perfect balance with each other, but I am glad to take part in a game where we try to break the barriers between them.

You have arrived

As I said earlier, simply spending time at Olo does not require demand you to do anything. But for the ones that are planning their trip, I strongly recommed to check our Activities and Food Menus, since the most common feedback we are getting is the guest wishing they had more time. We are happy to construct the activities also for groups and families, just contact us and let us know your wishes.

I have arrived to Olo many times, and I am also working at Olo. Sometimes I am working with my studies or communicating with the guests and other times I have normal house tasks to do. However, when arriving in Olo, it usually happens that suddenly my most important decision of the day is whether I should take a bath or heat up the sauna in the evening. In my vision, the perfect day at Olo is a day spent with no pressure of performing, regardless of what I am choosing to do.

With love,
Sonja