Adjusting to the New Life

As I’m caught up in restarting my life in Zurich, Switzerland, maintaining this blog has admittedly moved to the back burner. Despite the shift, my commitment stands: to publish a monthly post throughout 2024. While my usual reflections on things like the comfort zone, planning, and creativity have been sidelined by the practicalities of relocation, I’ve decided to share some insights about my ongoing little journey—detailing both the significant milestones and the minor adjustments.

Previously, I mentioned leaving Finland for a new adventure but didn’t dive deep into the ‘whys’. The reasons are varied—a mix of push and pull factors that include everything from those silly surface-level epiphanies during my travels to daily frustrations back home, and a pure dose of curiosity.

The Departure

After four years at an engineering firm in Finland, the intriguing challenges of my role began to wear thin, becoming repetitive. If there’s anything you might have picked up from my blog, it’s that I have a love-hate relationship with routine. Repetition at work didn’t mean perfecting processes; it meant stagnation—being stuck in a loop of re-creating the same solutions without room for innovation.

This issue might reflect a broader aspect of Finnish work culture—admirably humble yet uncomfortably limiting. Humility is valued, but sometimes at the expense of vision and ambition. Add to that a sprinkle of less-than-delightful workplace politics, and you’ve got a perfect recipe for ‘Time to get the heck outta here.’

Hopping on an airplane and spending a month around Asia last year gave me the space to evaluate my direction. Returning refreshed (one might even say reset), it became clear the struggle to reintegrate into my role was a sign—it was time for a change. Two paths lay before me: venture into digital entrepreneurship or seek new employment opportunities. This blog was born from the former, and surprisingly, the latter led me abroad.

The actual departure was smoother than anticipated. Lacking strong social ties in my hometown simplified the farewell. I also didn’t own much, so it was easy to sell the things that I couldn’t pack. Then I just simply left.

The Arrival

Upon arriving in Zurich a month ago, my beliefs about Swiss bureaucracy have proven unfounded. Despite my expectations of rigorous processes, the administrative tasks were a breeze. A few swift visits to the town hall and immigration office and here I am, waiting for the local mail carrier pigeon to drop off my residency permit.

The convenience didn’t stop there; Switzerland’s digital services rival those back in Finland. Setting up a bank account, securing a travel card, and handling other necessities online was unexpectedly straightforward—except for a mobile plan, which required a bit more legwork. You can actually get a mobile plan online once you have the final residency permit, but who has time for that? There are just too many cat videos on YouTube to see.

Culturally, the transition has been smoother than expected. Zurich’s cleanliness and the reserved yet welcoming demeanor of its people remind me of home, just with a prettier backdrop and a delightful number of expensive cars around.

As for the new job, it’s too soon to fully gauge the impact of Swiss workplace culture versus the startup culture, but it’s undeniably different from what I was used to.

The Future

Immediate tasks include hunting for a permanent apartment and navigating Switzerland’s mandatory health insurance. The clock is ticking on my temporary housing, and while the thought of apartment hunting is daunting, it’s the final step in truly settling in. That is, if we don’t count the numerous IKEA trips I still have to make.

Beyond the necessities, I’m looking forward to embracing the local travel opportunities—planned weekend trips across Europe and exploring local attractions. The central location of Zurich makes it ideal for quick getaways to France or Italy, and the Swiss landscapes are calling for some serious hiking and skiing adventures. Do you have any additional ideas worth trying out? Leave your comments below.