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Living a Nordic Life
Welcome to Living A Nordic Life, helping you live a Nordic Life, wherever you are.
From my home in southern Norway I'd love to share my Nordic lifestyle, cooking and surroundings with you, and show you how I have discovered that you don't need to live in Norway to enjoy and embrace a Nordic lifestyle and way of living.
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Nordic Wildlife in Late Autumn
November in the Nordics is a season of quiet transformation. The forests fall still, yet life continues in subtle ways — deer move through the mist, bullfinches brighten bare branches, and foxes prowl under long, cold nights. Nature whispers rather than shouts, reminding us to slow down, observe, and find beauty in the soft rhythm of the dark season. Even in stillness, the North is very much alive.

Fiona McKinna
5 days ago4 min read


Velkommen november! Welcome November
Welcome November and the start of the winter. This quiet month leads us gently into the busy season in the Nordics but gives us much needed time to slow down

Fiona McKinna
Nov 12 min read


What is self care? And Do We Even Care?!
Self care isn't just about bubble baths, beauty treatments, hot chocolate and fluffy blankets. It's about a long lasting, grownup commitment to our mental and physical wellbeing.

Fiona McKinna
Oct 314 min read


How to be Polite in Scandinavia (there are rules!)
Discover the quiet art of Nordic politeness — where kindness lives in silence, personal space, and gentle respect. From unspoken rules on buses to the sacred order of queues, this reflection explores how Scandinavians practice warmth without words and connection without noise — a calm, steady grace that defines life in the North.

Fiona McKinna
Oct 254 min read


Simple or Free Fun Autumn Activities
The simplest pleasures are often the best and autumn is a time to make the most of some activities that are simple or free (or both!)

Fiona McKinna
Oct 205 min read


How To Bring Scandi-Inspired Interior Touches Into Your Home
You don't need to live in Scandinavia to bring some beautiful Scandinavian touches to your home. With a few simple changes and Scandi-inspired touches your home can be welcoming and hygge.

Fiona McKinna
Oct 174 min read


The Primstav: Old Wooden Timekeeper & It's Quiet Power in Modern Life
The primstav might be an ancient calendar, but it is still relevant today and especially for those in the Nordics or with Nordic heritage. It's an important link to the past and a simpler time.

Fiona McKinna
Oct 114 min read


Lingonberries in Scandinavia: Nature’s Wild Treasure of the Nordic Forests
Discover the magic of lingonberries in Scandinavia’s forests. These tart red berries thrive under pine and birch trees, ripening in late summer when foragers gather them for jams, juices, and traditional Nordic dishes. Packed with antioxidants and rich cultural history, lingonberries are more than a superfood—they’re a taste of the Nordic wilderness.

Fiona McKinna
Oct 35 min read


Velkommen oktober, Welcome October!
There’s something quietly magical about October here in the Nordics. The slow and simple change in light, the crispness in the air, the colours of nature moving towards all the autumn hues. As we cross into this deep autumn month, it feels like the earth is breathing out, gathering strength for rest—and inviting us to slow down with it.

Fiona McKinna
Oct 12 min read


Sauna Season Begins: The Nordic Art of Slowing Down as Cold Returns
Discover how sauna season in Norway marks autumn’s arrival—ritual, warmth, and the art of slowing down as the cold returns.

Fiona McKinna
Sep 284 min read


NEW BOOK! Friluftsliv: How to love the outdoors like you're Nordic - Now Available 🌲❄️
After months of writing and reflection, my new book Friluftsliv is finally here! 🌿 Inspired by Nordic wisdom, it’s a guide to slowing down, reconnecting with nature, and finding calm in everyday life. I can’t wait to share this journey with you — order your copy today and bring a little Nordic balance into your world.

Fiona McKinna
Sep 232 min read


What I Hope You'll Feel When You Read "Friluftsliv: How to love the outdoors like you're Nordic"
Friluftsliv is my love letter to the Nordic way of reconnecting with nature. In its pages, I hope you’ll find peace, joy, and a reminder that the outdoors is always waiting—whether it’s a forest walk, the scent of rain, or simply sitting with your feet in the grass. This book is an invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover the simple beauty of living close to nature.

Fiona McKinna
Sep 203 min read


My Journey: Writing This Book
Friluftsliv: How to love the outdoors like you're Nordic has been a journey for me. It's been about slowing down, allowing nature into my life and sharing the ways you can welcome into your's. Join me for a few minutes as I share my journey with you

Fiona McKinna
Sep 162 min read


The Gentle Art of Kahvitauko: Why Coffee Breaks Matter in Finland
In Finland Kahvitauko is more than just stopping for a coffee. It's a part of Finnish culture that is an important break in the day and nurtures connection and togetherness.

Fiona McKinna
Sep 154 min read


Nordic Cleaning Rituals: Embracing Calm Through Tidying
Recently my family and I have had a bit of purge on our clutter. Periodically we look around and decide that there are things that really must go and the last month or so has been like that. it occurred to me that I might not be alone. There is a quiet joy in tidying that goes far beyond spotless kitchen worktops or folded laundry. In the Nordic tradition, cleaning is not simply a task to be checked off—it’s a ritual. A rhythm. A way of creating peace within the home, and b

Fiona McKinna
Sep 145 min read


My Nordic Morning Routine (It Doesn't Include a 5AM Run!)
Join me, Fiona of Living a Nordic Life as I share my morning routine in my little corner of southern Norway.

Fiona McKinna
Sep 134 min read


Unveiling My Secret Project...
Friluftsliv: The Nordic Art of Loving the Outdoors is a new book release inviting you to slow down, reconnect with nature, and rediscover balance in everyday life. Rooted in Scandinavian tradition, it offers reflections, rituals, and gentle practices to help you embrace the seasons and find calm. Coming 23 September, this inspiring guide shows how even the smallest step outside can change everything.

Fiona McKinna
Sep 93 min read


The Rise of Digital Nomads in Scandinavia: Tech & Lifestyle Trends
Picture this: you’re sipping coffee in a sleek Copenhagen café, laptop open, surrounded not by students but by nomads juggling clients across time zones. Scandinavia has quietly cracked the code—blazing internet, eco-friendly cities, and a culture that says yes to balance. Whether it’s kayaking after work in Sweden or networking in Oslo’s co-working hubs, the Nordics make remote work feel less like a grind and more like a lifestyle upgrade

Fiona McKinna
Sep 64 min read


Simple Pleasures, Slow Days: The Nordic Art of Doing Less Outside
Discover the Nordic art of slowing down: savoring simple pleasures, embracing slow days, and finding calm in nature. From lingering walks under open skies to quiet moments with coffee by the sea, doing less outdoors becomes a way to restore balance. This mindful Nordic lifestyle teaches us that less is more, and that joy often hides in stillness, fresh air, and everyday rituals.

Fiona McKinna
Sep 53 min read


The Epic of the Edda: How Norse Mythology Shapes Modern Nordic Identity
From stormy seas to streaming screens, Norse myths refuse to fade. The Eddas still shape Nordic identity—whispering of resilience, trickery, and hope. These aren’t relics of the past; they’re stories that live, adapt, and bind us across time.

Fiona McKinna
Sep 33 min read
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