When Saskia Alusalu lived and trained abroad for long periods, a parcel arriving from Estonia meant much more than just a delivery. Sometimes it contained something very simple – a bit of Estonian sweets, a letter from her mother and a few small things from home. Moments like these helped bring home a little closer, even on the difficult days.
“When you’ve been away for a long time, a parcel like that can genuinely make your whole week better,” Saskia recalls today, looking back at the time when she was still a professional athlete.
A new life and rhythm
Alusalu, who rose from a small Estonian village to the top of the world, knows well what it means to be abroad, far from loved ones. As a speed skater, she set 89 Estonian records during her career, became the first Estonian female speed skater at the Olympic Games, and finished fourth in the mass start event at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
Today, however, her life follows a completely different rhythm. The former elite athlete has shifted her energy toward promoting movement and supporting people’s well‑being.
“Right now my life revolves around studying and working. I’m pursuing a master’s degree in physiotherapy at the University of Tartu and also working in the field. In addition, I create training programmes for people. I simply like seeing people healthy and happy. Feeling good in your own body seems to be one of the most important components of that.”
Life has changed quite a lot for Saskia since ending her athletic career. Where everything once revolved around strict training schedules, competitions and recovery, life is now more layered. “There are more different roles – a student, an entrepreneur, a trainer, and sometimes just a person trying to leave a bit of free space in the calendar,” she reflects.
Real people
According to Saskia, top-level sport teaches you quite quickly what truly matters.
“The most important thing is people. Who are the people who genuinely stand by you and aren’t there only when it benefits them? The second thing is health and movement. But no longer for results or medals – rather to feel good in my own body.”
The third important component in Saskia’s life is time. Time for herself and time for her loved ones. “I very much value other people’s time as well, and the fact that someone takes the time to truly be there for someone else,” Saskia notes.
It’s this idea of doing something small yet meaningful that makes her occasionally surprise friends and loved ones with a parcel. “For example, one Christmas I felt like sending small surprise packages to my friends and family. I really like the thought of someone receiving and opening a parcel completely unexpectedly. It’s a bit like a physical version of someone telling you: ‘I was thinking of you.’”
A missing racing suit
The world of logistics is also familiar to Saskia from a different angle. In high‑level sport, training and competitions go hand in hand with constant travel and often complex logistics between countries.
“I remember one incident where my racing suit was supposed to arrive in Estonia before the next competition, but for some reason it didn’t make it on time. I called the number on the parcel, and in the end someone was sent to the warehouse over the weekend so I still managed to get my suit.”
Today, e‑commerce has become so natural that people barely think about it. Expectations for simplicity and flexibility in parcel delivery have grown with it.
In praise of the parcel locker
“Convenience is definitely important. When the day is already full of work, training and other commitments, it’s great when getting your parcel doesn’t require a separate logistical operation.”
Saskia herself orders online quite often – from special items to completely everyday things. “E‑commerce has become such a natural part of daily life that sometimes you don’t even think about it. Sometimes it feels like the parcel locker is one of the most efficient things ever invented in Estonia,” she laughs, referring to how accustomed people have become to the convenience.
“I always try to choose a parcel locker that’s on my daily route – for example, near work or home. Then it’s very easy to pick up the parcel ‘on the way’ from SmartPosti. If the parcel requires a separate trip, it already feels like a little project. And in winter, I always made sure that items sensitive to cold wouldn’t end up in outdoor parcel lockers, but would wait for me safely indoors,” Saskia explains.
According to Alusalu, people’s expectations for parcel services have also changed. “I see that we’ve gotten used to speed and convenience. At the same time, I think people value reliability very highly – that the parcel really arrives and the whole process is simple.”
More kindness
When asked what people should value more in their everyday lives, Saskia returns to the idea of appreciating the moment.
“I value being truly present, noticing and understanding. It’s really just about being in the moment and appreciating what’s happening right then. We tend to move on too quickly to the next goal, the next task, the next plan. But life is made up of very small things. A supportive smile, an encouraging word, a beautiful sunset, a walk, a warm hug. The moment when someone looks you in the eyes and thanks you for being here.”
At the same time, she believes we should be more aware of what our own actions create. “Every word, look and action leaves a trace. Are we creating a bit more confusion and heaviness in the world — or a bit more kindness and care?”
“Sometimes the most valuable thing is simply to pause, be truly present, and notice. Because in the end, life is made up of these moments of presence and the small choices we make,” Saskia says.