Gramps here was glued to the news and was 'lucky' enough to live through that really interesting period of history as the Soviet Bloc fell apart piece by piece which then allowed me to go and visit all these amazing countries for myself!
I think you're lucky not have been born under occupation as that's exactly what it was. People have a habit of remembering the 'old days' fondly regardless of the hardships which is an odd human trait but I can't believe anyone would swap in reality!
The funny thing you mentioned was that you consider yourself Nordic rather than Baltic. That's what they say in Latvia too but I'd agree with you more having been to both countries more than once in the early 2Ks.
Keep safe there and stop in and write stuff!!
I bet there will be some crazy people looking back to the whole situation with the virus fondly in the future... 😅