If it makes you feel good, it's your duty

The Knight of Wands and the Finnish sisu

Join 1,100+ curious women who want to live deliciously despite patriarchy.

Save the date!

On July 15, I’ll be going live on Substack with Pukhrak for a conversation about what it means to feel truly cared for and integrated in a community—and how following my curiosity led me to Secret Club and writing.

Wednesday, July 15 — 5:00 PM Helsinki 🇫🇮

Save the Date

On Sundays, after setting up my calendar, I pull a tarot card to be my guide for the week and my luck beam. I use its energy to get me through the week in case I need extra power to do hard things.

This time, I got the fire delivery driver, the knight of wands. She’s a messenger just like me. To tune into her lucky track, I have to do my homework. She won’t grant me just because.

She’s the Finnish sisu, an inner strength that pushes you to do what’s needed to get in the mood. She fuels you to do whatever you want. She’s a courageous boost who doesn’t procrastinate. She listens to her intuition and, if needed, she removes herself from a situation before melting down. She calls the health care before things get worse.

She does the right thing and doesn’t yap about it—just like Finnish sisu, the Knight of Wands lets her actions do the talking.

Her secret to getting shit done is honouring the rituals that pull her into the right mood—never waiting for it. Instead, she brings it in. She knows what her essential fuels are, and she doesn’t drive on empty.

I went for a walk on a Monday morning, and a cheering fairy podcast started playing on my Spotify. She reinforced the Knight’s message by saying something like this: if it makes you feel good, then it’s your duty. She wasn’t referring to a fun activity—it was about the ones that make a person feel unstoppable, like a knight of wands with a magic sword.

“but I have no idea” was my first thought,

then, suddenly, things started popping up: hot yoga, making my bed beautifully each morning, swimming, wearing my favorite clothes, early walks, cold plunges, and sauna sessions. Drawing in my sketchbook, buying fresh flowers, and writing from cozy wine bars with a glass of rosé by my side. Reading tarot cards for strangers, reading outdoors with a beautiful view.

---

What makes you feel unstoppable?

---

These activities energize and inspire me to create what I’m supposed to. To craft my words and fulfil my purpose, express myself, and also make a living. They should be non-negotiable and highly prioritized.

Life is not perfect, tough.

I have to admit that many times I end up getting trapped by bad habits that make me feel like shit. With a bitter taste in my throat, here it goes: endless scrolling, using my phone in bed and on the toilet, staying glued to a screen until my shoulder starts to ache. Skipping meals. Saying yes to plans with people I don't want to be around. Postponing doctor’s appointments and neglecting my health. Going to bed after midnight, not exercising, letting a day pass without writing. Ignoring the dishes, the dust, my bank account, and my water bottle. Shaming my body and saying bad things about myself.

These bad habits are slippery and easily slide into my routine. I pick up my phone to check the weather, and there it goes, 15 minutes scrolling through content that leaves me with nothing but anxiety.

But not this week.

The Knight of Wands is keeping me on the right track, pulling me by the ears whenever I get distracted. She limited my screen time, woke me up early, and organized my clothes the night before so I could go for a walk in the morning, no questioning. She set an alarm on my watch so I wouldn’t miss lunchtime. She refilled my water bottle and added snacks to my bag.

It’s okay to go for a swim in the afternoon, as long as I continue writing when I’m back home. She’s so smart, doesn’t overthink, and knows what my goals are and what to prioritize.

She’s not from this timeline—she’s a witch from the future where patriarchy is just something we read about in history books, and is mildly annoyed I’m still procrastinating.