It was August 2017—exactly six months since I had returned from my unforgettable trip to the Philippines. That journey had been one for the books, filled with both exhilarating highs and scary moments. If you’ve been following my story, you can read more about that adventure in my previous two posts.

But now, I was back in Finland, and reality had settled in. For those unfamiliar with life in the North, Finnish winters are long and brutal. The sun barely rises, and darkness stretches on for months. Summers, on the other hand, are their complete opposite—nights are nonexistent, with the sun hanging in the sky as if refusing to set. Right now, I was living through the best season Finland has to offer. Yet, despite the long daylight hours, I knew what was coming. The brightest day of the year, Midsummer—celebrated on June 24th—was behind us. From here on out, the days would only get shorter, the skies darker and the days colder.

On paper, my life was solid. I had an enviable salary, earning just under €5000 a month—a sum that most would consider more than comfortable in Finland. My career was thriving, and, to top it off, I had been brushing shoulders with the edges of public recognition since 2016. But why? What had put me in the spotlight? That’s where this story truly begins.

The Moment an Idea Became a Mission

Loneliness has always been one of Finland’s biggest social issues—and still is today. It’s an invisible epidemic, creeping into people’s lives, making the silence on the streets. One evening, while sipping tea at a friend’s place, I voiced a thought that had been brewing in my mind for a while.
"You know," I said, stirring my cup absentmindedly, "I think I have a real solution to help people struggling with loneliness. And not just an idea—I actually know how to make this happen."

I explained my concept in detail, my words pouring out for the next thirty minutes. When I finally paused, my friend leaned forward and said something that made my stomach tighten with excitement and fear all at once. "Niko, you have to do this. Don’t let this be just another idea you leave on the shelf."

Later that night, as I walked home, my mind raced. The weight of my own thoughts pressed against me. Was I really going to do this? Would I allow my lifelong shyness to hold me back, or would I finally face my fears and bring this idea to life? The choice was mine. And I chose to make it happen.

The moment I got home, I sat at my desk, opened my laptop, and started building. Hours blurred together. Midnight passed. 1 AM.. 2 AM... 3 AM. I crafted the content, polished the details, and executed my vision with the kind of focus I had rarely felt before. Then, with one final deep breath, I launched it. I shared my project across multiple social media platforms, reaching out not with sales tactics, but with emotion—with the very feelings of loneliness and longing for connection that I knew so many people carried inside them.

Now, there was nothing to do but wait. Would anyone care? Would this resonate with people the way I hoped it would? I barely had time to dwell on those questions. Within hours, 200 people had already signed up. I stared at the numbers in disbelief. The response was overwhelming. The flood of registrations wasn’t just a testament to my idea—it was undeniable proof of how desperate people were to find connections. I hadn’t just created a project; I had struck a nerve. And this was just the beginning.

This wasn’t a dating app. It wasn’t a matchmaking service. In fact, romantic connections were strictly forbidden in the platform’s guidelines. This was something different, this was about friendship. A place where people who felt alone could finally find someone to talk to, someone who understood them. It was a bridge between isolated individuals—offering them a chance, maybe for the first time in years, to feel truly seen.

An Unbelievable Morning

The next morning, I woke up groggily, still half-dazed from the late night. As I grabbed my phone, my eyes widened in disbelief. Over 1,000 people from the capital region had registered overnight. I blinked. Once. Twice. "Am I seeing this right?" I refreshed the page. The number was real. What had started as a simple idea, just a thought shared over tea with a friend, had now exploded into something far bigger than I had ever imagined. And it was only getting started.

The Call from Journalist That Changed Everything

Barely a few hours later, my phone rang. The number was unfamiliar, and for a second, I hesitated before answering.

“Niko,” I said, expecting it to be just another routine call.

But the voice on the other end introduced herself as a journalist from Iltalehti—one of Finland’s most widely read and recognized newspapers, distributed nationwide and dominating online headlines daily.

“Are you the same Niko who created this community?” she asked.
For a split second, I froze. This was happening.
“Yes, it's me” I answered, steadying my voice.
Her name was Jenna I still remember her name, and she wasted no time getting straight to the point.

Jenna was intrigued. She wanted to know everything—how I came up with the idea, what led me to actually do something about it?

I told her the truth. “Finland has a major loneliness problem. Just last evening, I was having tea with a friend and told her that I might have a solution. I launched the platform right after that—and here we are.” She mentioned the staggering number of sign-ups and asked me how I felt about it.

“Well, it was definitely a surprise,” I admitted. “But it just proves how much people needed this. Sometimes, all it takes is one person to step up, to get things rolling, to actually try and solve a problem instead of just talking about it.” Jenna loved it. She wanted to feature the story. A full article, interviews, and even a photoshoot.

When the article was finally published, it was like setting off a media firestorm. My phone didn’t stop buzzing. Suddenly, I was everywhere—radio interviews, newspaper headlines, photographers wanting shots for different magazines. The project had gone from being a simple community to a national phenomenon. And with that kind of attention, life changed fast.

Thrown Into the Spotlight

When the article was finally published, it was like setting off a media firestorm. My phone didn’t stop buzzing. Suddenly, I was everywhere—radio interviews, newspaper headlines, photographers wanting shots for different magazines. The project had gone from being a simple community to a national phenomenon.

With that kind of attention, life changed fast. At first, it was exciting. But then, I started noticing how my everyday life wasn’t quite the same anymore. I could no longer just hang out with my friends in peace. Every time I stepped outside, someone would recognize me. Strangers would approach me, eager to talk, wanting to share their stories.

Some encounters were flattering, others… downright surreal. One woman once told me, “My mother always hoped I’d find a man exactly like you.” Looking back now, it’s funny to think about. But at the time, it felt overwhelming. I was just a regular guy, yet suddenly, I was at the center of this massive movement.

And whether I was ready or not, my life was no longer just my own. Flirty messages flooded my inbox, and I lost count of the number of times I heard, “You’re exactly the kind of guy I wanted me to find.” It was amusing at first, but as time went on, I realized just how much my life had changed. Nights out were never just casual anymore; they became mini social events where women wanted to talk, dance, and get close—sometimes just for the thrill of being around someone “known.”

It felt like I had access to a world that most guys my age could only dream of. I didn’t have to chase; I was the one being chased. The attention was thrilling, the possibilities endless. One night I’d be deep in conversation with a smart, ambitious woman, and the next, I’d be caught up in a whirlwind of flirtation at an exclusive event. The unpredictability of it all was intoxicating, and I won’t lie—it was easy to get swept up in it.

The Search for a New Beginning

Let’s go fast forward back to August 2017, exactly one month before I would unknowingly leave Finland for good. I was 23 years old at the time, in a relationship with my girlfriend a psychological therapist whom I had started dating after returning from my trips from the Philippines. Life felt stable, yet something inside me was restless.

It was in early August when the thought first crossed my mind: What would it be like to live abroad? Could I really pack up my life, leave everything behind, and start a fresh life in a new country? The idea fascinated me, but it also felt impossibly big—until I asked myself a simple question: How could I actually make this happen?

Determined to find answers, I did what anyone could do in my situation—I turned to Google. I typed in the most straightforward search I could think of: 👉 "Working abroad Finnish native speaker."

I wasn’t expecting much, maybe a few articles or outdated job listings, but to my surprise, one of the top results led me to a global CV database. A place where job seekers could upload their resumes, and international companies could browse through and reach out if they were interested.

Something about it felt promising, so I didn’t hesitate. I sat down and started crafting my English CV, not overthinking, not expecting anything—just putting myself out there. I had nothing to lose. And then, it happened faster than I could have imagined.

Barely a few days—maybe a week at most—had passed when my phone rang. An international number flashed on the screen. I hesitated for a second before answering the way I always did:
“Niko.”

A Life-Changing Call

This time, the voice on the other end of the line wasn’t a journalist. It wasn’t another media interview or radio request. It was Netflix.

Yes, Netflix. The global entertainment giant that everyone knows. The caller was a woman introducing herself as an HR representative. Her voice was professional yet warm as she asked,
“Hey, I assume you’re Niko? You recently made your CV public and are interested in moving abroad?”

I confirmed, feeling a mixture of excitement and curiosity. I had almost forgotten I had even submitted my CV—it had been a spur-of-the-moment decision. Yet here I was, talking to someone from one of the biggest companies in the world. As the conversation continued, she asked about my experience and what motivated me to leave Finland. I told her everything—about my past jobs, my growing desire for change, and how, just a few weeks ago, I had started looking into opportunities abroad without expecting much.

She listened intently, and then, almost casually, she said something that made my heart skip a beat:
“I really think you would be a great fit for our team. We’d love to offer you a job.”
An Offer, I wondered? My mind was racing. This was actually happening. I asked her when they would expect me to start.
“Ideally, we’d want you to move to Portugal in two to three weeks. You’d receive company-provided housing and a salary of X amount.”

Two to three weeks. That was nothing. I was at work while taking this call, and truthfully, leaving my current job wouldn’t be a problem. I was already craving something new. But as I listened to the offer, one thought overpowered everything else — My girlfriend. What was I supposed to do? This was a choice between staying in Finland for love or taking a leap into the unknown.

I hesitated before responding. “Umm… would it be possible for me to think about this for a few days? The only reason I’m hesitating is that I’m currently in a relationship, and I need to discuss this with her.” The HR representative was understanding. “Of course! Let’s do this: I’ll give you two days to think about it, and we’ll call you back for your decision.”

An Impossible Choice

As the call ended, I sat there, stunned. My mind was spinning. "What the hell just happened?"

I had gone from casually submitting my CV to standing at a major crossroads in my life. I liked this girl a lot, and despite our challenges, we had built something together. But was I really ready to give up everything for the possibility of something bigger? I tried to focus on work, but I couldn’t. My head was too full of questions, doubts, and excitement. And now, I had only 48 hours to decide.

The Breakup That Sealed My Fate

Two hours. That’s all it took. Exactly two hours after receiving the call from Netflix, my phone rang again. I glanced at the screen—it was my girlfriend.

I picked up, this time greeting her with more than just my usual "Niko."
“Hey, what’s up? How are you?”

Her voice was hesitant, almost unsure.
“I’ve been thinking a lot… and I don’t know how to say this. I wasn’t sure if we should talk in person or if it would be easier to just say it now, but it’s been on my mind, and I felt like I needed to call you.”

I felt a shift in the air.
“Okay… what’s going on? Is everything alright?”

Then, she hit me with it.
“Niko… I don’t know if we should stay together or just be friends. I feel like it might be better if we’re just friends.”

I stand there for a second, processing. Two hours ago, I had been worried about choosing between her and a life-changing opportunity. And now… here she was, making the choice for me.

Other guys would have probably tried to hold on, to convince her otherwise, to fight for what we had. But this time, something was different.

The conversation unfolded like this:
Me: “Are you serious? Like, is this what you really want?”
Her: “Yeah… I think so.”
Me: “Are you sure?”
Her: “Yes.”
Me: “Like, absolutely sure?”
Her: “Well… I mean, yeah. I believe this is the right thing.”
Me: “Alright then. I’m moving to Portugal.”
While in the silence....
Her: “WHAT?”
I let it out “Yeah… I hadn’t told you yet, but two hours ago, I got a call from Netflix. They offered me a job in Portugal. The only reason I didn’t give them an answer immediately was because of our relationship. But now that you’re telling me you’re not sure about us… well, this actually makes my decision a whole lot easier.”

She didn’t know what to say. I could feel the shift happening in real time — the weight of uncertainty that had been lingering in my mind vanished. We agreed to meet in person later that day to talk things through, but in reality, the decision had already been made.

By the time I got home, I stood in my home, staring at my belongings—clothes, furniture, random trinkets that had once seemed important. "I have exactly two weeks to get rid of everything. Two weeks to let my friends know this boy was leaving Finland for good." I thought

Letting Go of the Old Life

The next two weeks felt like a countdown—not just to my flight but to the complete reset of my life.
I started giving away everything I owned, almost for free, to people who truly needed it. My apartment, once filled with things I thought mattered, was emptying out one piece at a time.

One moment that stuck with me was when I gave away my washing machine. The woman who took it was a struggling single mother with multiple kids. She had been worried sick about how she’d manage to wash her children’s clothes because she couldn’t afford a new one. When I handed it over to her, I could see the relief in her eyes—as if a huge burden had been lifted from her shoulders. That moment hit me differently.

I spent my last days in Finland driving around the capital region, delivering my belongings to strangers. My clothes—some of which were worth thousands of euros—were handed out for free. At that time in my life, dressing well was important to me. I always had a button-up shirt on, expensive shoes, and a wardrobe filled with high-end brands. It was part of my identity, part of the image I had built. But as the days passed and my apartment became emptier, something shifted inside me. I realized how little these things actually mattered.

Then, the final moment arrived—the last item to go. My bed. And just like that, I had officially stripped my life down to nothing. The apartment was empty. The life I had built in Finland was packed away—or more accurately, given away — and now, it was time for the last celebration before everything changed.

The Final Farewell

My friends gathered for my farewell party, and, my ex showed up too. The night was filled with laughter, old stories, and a sense of bittersweet nostalgia. We all knew this was a turning point—not just for me, but for the friendships we had built over the years.

At some point, my ex and I found ourselves in a quiet corner, talking. Twice that night, we ended up having deeper conversations. She confessed, through tears, that she hadn’t fully realized what she was doing when we had our phone call. The finality of it all was hitting her now. I held her close, wiped her tears, and reassured her, “Everything will work out. We’re both on our own paths now.”

Then, for the last time, we kissed. A final goodbye, No Turning Back

That last night, I stayed with my closest friend place. He was the person who had been there for me through everything. The next morning, as I was getting ready to leave, he looked at me and said, “You know, you can always come back.” I smiled and replied, “Yeah… but now, it’s time to try something new.”

And with that, I slung my backpack over my shoulder—just a single rucksack and a small bag with my remaining clothes. I had given up everything else except for what I absolutely needed. After all, Portugal doesn’t have harsh winters like Finland, right? Oh, how wrong I was. Four months later, I would learn the hard way that a European winter, even without snow, can be brutally cold thanks to humidity. But that was a lesson for another time.

Stepping Into the Unknown. At 23 years old, I took my first steps toward the train station, completely unaware that this was my last time living in Finland. At that moment, I still thought, Maybe I’ll stay abroad for a year and then come back. I had no idea that this was the start of a journey that would change everything. The train ride to the airport felt surreal. And then, the final moment arrived.
I boarded the plane, found my seat, and looked out the window as the engines roared to life. As Finland disappeared beneath the clouds, I had no idea what lay ahead—only that I was ready to find out.

The Journey Continues… And that’s where we leave off for now. If you want to follow my journey and be the first to read my next post, make sure to subscribe to the email list at the bottom of this page. What happens next? Trust me, you don’t want to miss it.

August 2017

The Beginning of an Unfinished Story