Shirly Karvinen is grateful that her worst fear came true

Even this year. Shirly Karvinen made a familiar promise to herself at the turn of the year 2022.

– That’s the first warning sign. For a couple of years I had already insisted that “it’s still this year”. I was right in the finals, even though the Christmas holidays were over, says Shirly.

– I started to wonder if I would survive this year. Many people who are exhausted know how it feels when the fatigue is chronic and you feel quite bad when you stop for a while – before starting again, Shirly continues.

Finally, the exhaustion began to be felt in the body as well. As an entrepreneur, Shirly did morning radio, TV work, hosting gigs, filming and social media work.

– I’ve always been a bad sleeper and I’ve had trouble sleeping. Those combined with morning radio are their own thing, says Shirly.

Finally, Shirly had the courage to open her mouth at work, although she was afraid of the reactions of others and of disappointing her. Instead, he received an empathetic reception.

Finally honest

Shirly announced in May 2022 that she would be on summer vacation. In the end, the “summer vacation” continued until the end of the year. At the same time, everyone asked when Shirly would return to the radio.

– I understand that if you’re used to hearing someone’s voice every single morning or a co-worker doesn’t come back from vacation after five years, it’s confusing. I felt like saying something. Maybe not because of the pressure, but because there’s nothing to be ashamed of, says Shirly.

Before that, he had to admit the situation primarily to himself.

– In the end, I wanted to be honest. I knew on a common sense level, but I hadn’t realized that I had dropped out because of exhaustion, says Shirly.

– Everyone knows people in their close circle who have gone through at least one burnout. The inadequacy of our generation pushes us beyond our own endurance, says Shirly.

Shirly, who emerged from the Miss Finland competition, vividly remembers the time when she did not dare to say no to job offers.

– Now life has taught me that I no longer have to prove anything to anyone. I’ve said enough about things, yeah. I can think about what I want to prioritize. Sometimes it is valuable to say no. Then you make a clearer line for yourself and others, says Shirly.

The most difficult task

When Shirly’s work was on hiatus, her most important and most difficult task was to do nothing.

– I went to therapy a lot and rested. I tried to teach myself not to do anything. It’s surprisingly difficult. I felt like a failure. Unwittingly, you start comparing yourself to others, says Shirly.

The company of furry friends had a great impact on well-being.

In addition to her partner, singer Sanni, Shirly’s family includes two dogs: Pena and a more recent newcomer, house changer Lucifer.

Lost in public

Above all, Shirly hoped to find balance and peace in her life.

– I have learned to enjoy quieter mornings or free time. A year ago, when my processes were in progress, I felt guilty about such things, says Shirly.

Shirly admits that at the age of 31 it is not the end of life at all, but the years have done something.

– I enjoy my thirties much more than my twenties. I feel like I was so lost back then and I was trying to find my place. I was 23 years old when I went to the pageant. I’ve been lost for a really long time in my twenties – in public. Sometimes I think, my God, what has been done. Still, I give myself a pat on the back that I’ve navigated through some pretty haphazard conditions, Shirly smiles.

Shirly also looks at her twenty-something self participating in the Miss Finland competition with tenderness.

– Would today’s Shirly apply for the pageant? No. I thought it was a good idea at the time, and thinking about it today, Shirly says.

Shirly says she is looking forward to what the next 10 years will bring when she no longer reacts to things through insecurities.

– I feel that exhaustion was one of the best things that has happened to me in the long term. It woke me up to live this life. I was always afraid that if I missed out, I would be a loser. The worst fear happened and I realized that life carries. As long as you are healthy and your loved ones are fine, everything is fine, says Shirly.

Exciting territorial conquest

Shirly took steps back into working life a little over a year ago. He feels privileged to work in social media as well.

Shirly was also seen Jungle stars – as the host of the program.

– Although it was really binding, it was also a production bubble. I didn’t have to think about anything but that job. Homework would have been waiting at home after the work day. When abroad, I took the laundry to the hotel’s laundry room and my meals were arranged. It was a luxury, says Shirly.

Recently, Shirly also threw herself into the discomfort zone by participating in a stand up course.

In addition to the radio studio, Shirly has been asked, among other things, for her supliikki grip and quick reaction Herd-entertainment show, where he was one of the regular faces. When Shirly performed for the rest of the group at the end of the stand up course, the tension was felt in the whole body.

Shirly used to prize courage by driving a rally car or jumping out of a plane. Now he sees differently.

– A brave person is not the one who does things that are not scary. A brave person does things, even if they are scary.

Makeup and hair: Tiina-Maria Valanti, Office Makeup

Red sweater: R-Collection

Filming location: Aalto peak