Actor Ria Kataja suffered from fear of social situations – then she made an important insight

Actress Ria Kataja celebrates its 50th anniversary in the fall. The hurry colors the actor’s everyday life, but he says he has realized how important the presence is in life. The juniper strives not to be somewhere other than where he really is or “running at a fast pace”.

During the interview, Kataja returns to the theme several times. The mentality has not always been the same.

– Once upon a time, I had a need to make such five -year plans. Is it due to age or what, but I find that now such a need has stopped, Kataja says.

Ria Kataja in her early twenties and in her fifties has a lot of the same, but one thing is different. Nowadays, he is better tolerates his insecurity and imperfection.

– I’ve been really human and suffered from fear of social situations, Kataja remembers younger herself.

In the early twenties, Juniper easily resigned with the feeling of loneliness and shame. When other people began to scare, the juniper could turn away.

– After all, those fears have been my inner fears. I have actually been afraid of myself and the revelation of myself, ”says Kataja.

Although juniper is still not completely smooth with his fears, he has become more familiar with them. He has realized that he is not alone with his experience.

“Instead of hiding and starting to dig a gap between myself and the world, maybe I dare to stop to face my uncertainty,” says Kataja.

Roles over the years

Kataja’s career as an actor has lasted over 30 years. It has accommodated a huge amount of different roles on television, screen and theater stages.

Juniper has had a “good karma” for his roles. Juniper’s most prominent roles are one that he has been happy to agree.

However, for a few manuscripts, Kataja has requested a change during her career. For example, manuscripts may have been homophobic or contained narrow human images.

– In these cases, we have spent a common time to ensure that they have not become jobs that have been annoyed or that the material would be somehow questionable, says Kataja.

In some similar cases, the juniper has had to crush the project.

– If you are unable to stand behind or see yourself doing what is required, it makes no sense to go. But there are fewer and fewer, Kataja says.

Busy summer

This summer, there is plenty of hustle and bustle on the juniper calendar. Turku’s Samppalinna Summer Theater to be presented Jagellonica! – Turku’s own princess The play premiered in mid-June and its performances will continue far until the end of August.

The hurry is visible not only in the juniper calendar but also in the play itself. There are five actors in the 16th century musical comedy, but there are many more roles. Juniper is one of the actors who quickly switches from one role to another during the play.

– It’s a quick artillery, Kataja describes laughing at the play.

– But it’s been terribly fun. We have had an innovative, creative atmosphere.

In addition to the musical comedy, Katajan is busy at least written by Hanna Vahtikar and Pihla Penttinen, visiting Kajaani Poetry Week Small bones play, short film descriptions in August, couple Heels for the ceiling presentation with Minna Kivelä and preparing for the next premiere.

– Maybe a little more busy this summer, but luckily there have been holidays, Kataja laughs.

Leisure time with card

In addition to the actor’s work, juniper operates in a completely different world. He graduated in 2017 as a sauna therapist. In addition to sauna therapy, he is practicing at least pampering treatments, chord baths, sound bowl treatments and laughter therapy.

Juniper says that sometimes all the work has to be balanced. The theater’s evening and weekend-oriented working hours have become familiar over the years and may sometimes have a card on the card.

– I’m pretty tough to pick up all kinds of productions and work for myself. It is also a place for me to look at why I was terribly picked up by these. Is there such a real, genuine desire to do, or is there any fear that I was helping if I missed it, Kataja says.

However, the juniper states that he likes to meet people and stop “around the facts.” Helping others is important to the juniper, but how does he take care of himself?

– I’m with my family and spend time at home. We live on land and the ground element is really important to me. That kind of calm, the presence of nature and being on the simple things is really restorative to me, says Kataja.

When asked by Kataja what things he would like to achieve, the actor does not suddenly come up with anything concrete. A simple good life for both juniper and spouse and children comes to mind.

According to Kataja, that too is related to the presence, the honest encounter of himself and others.

– That’s what I call a success, Kataja sums it up.