Photo Credit: Roine Piirainen, kuviasuomesta.fi
By Joha Järekari, Nora Fagerholm, Salla Eilola, and Vesa Arki.
In Finland, a country rich in forests and lakes, people are often said to share a deep bond with nature. Yet certain dimensions of this relationship—particularly the emotional, spiritual, or value-driven aspects—are rarely voiced in public discussions. Our creative approach aimed to surface these deeply personal, often unspoken experiences.
We collaborated with young people from 15 to24 and adults over 60 in Turku, Finland. The process began with a map-based survey exploring how participants engage with outdoor environments. This was followed by creative writing workshops designed to help them reflect on their connection with nature. We found that urban nature plays an important role in eudaimonic well-being —a form of well-being that goes beyond momentary pleasure. , Also referred to as human flourishing, eudaimonic well-being includes long-term aspects such as purpose in life and personal growth. Many of these well-being dimensions are linked to cultural ecosystem services—non-material contributions emerging from human–nature interactions, such as aesthetic enjoyment, inspiration, and learning.
Both younger and older participants described meaningful eudaimonic benefits from spending time in nature. While their ways of engaging differed, they shared many deep-level experiences. Nature helped them reflect on what truly matters in life, reconnect with core values, and form deeper bonds with both other people and non-human life.
The sense that nature “doesn’t judge” emerged as significant for both groups, supporting their self-acceptance. However, environmental crises also affected the youths’ self-acceptance, as they saw themselves as part of the problem. Similarly, the reassuring sense of continuity that nature offered contrasted with the changes in the environment:
The bedrock and the forest around it are a stable landmark although the environment is changing because of construction. The rock feels safe. – elderly, woman
Our findings suggest that considering eudaimonic well-being benefits more fully and systematically in planning processes, has the potential to shape development to better match what people need for a good life.
Relational Thinking 