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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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Why Nordic Summer Feels So Precious
Nordic summer is precious not because it is perfect, but because it is fleeting. In Norway and across Scandinavia, people embrace long light evenings, outdoor living and simple seasonal pleasures with remarkable enthusiasm. From late-night swims and balcony dinners to strawberries in the sun and quiet fjord evenings, Nordic summer culture is built around appreciating ordinary moments before the light begins to fade again.

Fiona McKinna
3 days ago4 min read


The Almost Nordic Calm We Found in Bruinisse
Bruinisse in the Netherlands feels unexpectedly Nordic, despite being entirely Dutch. This quiet fishing village offers slow coastal living shaped by cycling, sailing, mussel farming, and life beside the water. With open landscapes, practical design, fresh seafood, and calm daily rhythms, Bruinisse captures the simplicity and outdoor culture often associated with Scandinavia — without the crowds, spectacle, or tourist polish of larger European seaside towns.

Fiona McKinna
May 185 min read


After the Flags and Brass Bands
The morning after 17 May, Norway feels softer somehow. The brass bands are gone, the bunads hang airing by open windows, and the country moves more slowly under pale spring skies. Coffee replaces champagne. Children fall asleep clutching tiny flags. After months of darkness and one explosive day of celebration, 18 May arrives like an exhale — quiet, reflective, and deeply Nordic in a way outsiders rarely notice.

Fiona McKinna
May 154 min read


The Great Norwegian Outdoor Migration has Begun!
After a long Nordic winter, spring doesn’t arrive so much as it detonates. One moment Norway is still wrapped in grey and silence, the next the entire country is outside, dragging grills from garages, power-washing everything in sight and insisting that 12 degrees is practically Mediterranean. The Great Norwegian Outdoor Migration has begun, and nobody is behaving with any kind of moderation.

Fiona McKinna
May 103 min read


Norway’s Grilling Season Begins (Yes, Really)
Grilling in the Nordics doesn’t wait for summer. It happens all year, but early May is when it becomes easy again. Shops fill with new pølser, lighter sides appear, and eating outside feels realistic, not ambitious. The “official” grilling day might be unnecessary, but it’s a useful nudge—light the grill, keep it simple, and get back outside.

Fiona McKinna
May 43 min read


Summer Hygge: a Nordic Guide
Summer hygge is the softer side of Nordic living, where long light-filled days replace the need for cosiness by firelight. It is found in slow evenings outside, meals eaten without hurry, and the quiet permission to do less when the world feels full of light. This is a season of barefoot moments, open windows, and gentle rituals that ask nothing more than your presence. A reminder that warmth is not only winter’s gift, but something the sun can give too.

Fiona McKinna
May 14 min read


Velkommen mai, Welcome May
Welcome to the beautiful month of May in the Nordics when we begin to forget about the harsh winter and look forward to endless summer days

Fiona McKinna
May 12 min read


Ut på tur, Getting Outside on Sundays
Getting outside once a week is a wonderful Nordic habit to adopt and you will be in good company - most of Norway is "ut på tur" too

Fiona McKinna
Apr 265 min read


10 Ways my Family and I Keep Life Simple and Stress-Free
Life can be stressful and full of pressure but we can choose some simple daily habits to make life a little easier.

Fiona McKinna
Apr 204 min read


5 Ways to be Healthy the Nordic Way
The Nordic countries are famous for good health so how can we welcome that into our own lives?

Fiona McKinna
Apr 174 min read


A Nordic Spring Routine: How to Live the Season Gently
Embrace a Nordic spring routine with slow mornings, fresh air, and gentle daily rhythms. Learn how to follow the light, spend time outdoors, and shift your home and mindset with the season. This guide to Nordic living shows how to move from winter to spring without pressure, creating calm, balance, and connection through simple, everyday habits inspired by life in Scandinavia.

Fiona McKinna
Apr 124 min read


How to Live a Nordic Spring (Even if You Don't Live in Scandinavia)
A Nordic spring doesn’t arrive all at once—it unfolds slowly through light, air, and small everyday moments. In this guide to slow living, discover how to embrace a gentle seasonal shift with outdoor fika, simple home rituals, and a mindset rooted in patience. Learn how to live a Nordic spring wherever you are, finding calm, connection, and quiet joy in the in-between season.

Fiona McKinna
Apr 64 min read


Velkommen april, Welcome April
Welcome April and the heart of spring even though it might not feel like that every day in the Nordics! Learn about the things that bring us joy in the Nordics in the month of April

Fiona McKinna
Apr 14 min read


Living Intentionally Without Turning Life into a Self-Improvement Project
Intentional living is often framed as self-improvement, but true intentional living is quieter than that. It’s not about optimising your life or becoming someone new—it’s about noticing. Noticing mornings and evenings, small daily rhythms, and ordinary moments that give life meaning. Inspired by Nordic ideas of enough, presence, and simplicity, this gentle approach invites you to slow down, let go of constant improvement, and live fully in the everyday.

Fiona McKinna
Mar 224 min read


The Biggest Lessons Norway has Taught Me
My time living in Norway has taught me some important lessons that have changed my life and I will carry with me wherever I live.

Fiona McKinna
Mar 203 min read


Following the Reindeer: Seasonal Migration and Sami Life
Experience the magic of the Sami March reindeer migration across the Nordic wilderness. As winter thaws into early spring, herders guide their reindeer from snowy forests to lush summer pastures. Witness the serene landscapes, pale Nordic light, and centuries-old traditions that connect humans, animals, and nature. A journey of patience, resilience, and harmony, perfect for those seeking an authentic Nordic life experience.

Fiona McKinna
Mar 163 min read


Why Nordic Life Looks Simple but Feels Deep
From the outside, Nordic life can look deceptively simple—white walls, wooden tables, quiet coffee moments, and a whole lot of lagom. But this simplicity is anything but shallow. Rooted in intention, presence, and slow living, Nordic life invites us to notice what truly matters. Through simplicity, hygge, and a deep respect for time and nature, meaning is found not in adding more, but in living with greater depth and awareness.

Fiona McKinna
Mar 63 min read


Small March Rituals That Make Everyday Life Feel Special
March teaches us that small rituals matter. That ordinary days are worthy of attention. And that by tending to the quiet moments, we make space for the light to return—naturally, patiently, and in its own time.

Fiona McKinna
Mar 24 min read


Fermented Dairy - an Historic Nordic Staple
Fermented dairy products are not just culinary staples in Nordic cuisine; they are a celebration of rich flavours, traditions, and health benefits. Imagine starting your day with a bowl of thick skyr or enjoying a refreshing filmjölk smoothie in the afternoon. Intrigued? Let me invite you to join me for an exploration of Nordic fermented dairy, revealing their history, types, and delicious recipes that are sure to excite your palate. The Historical Significance of Fermented D

Fiona McKinna
Feb 224 min read


Hidden Gem: Car-Free, Cosy Norwegian Island
Escape the bustle of the mainland to this island idyll off the coats of southern Norway. Beautiful serene beaches, pretty Norwegian coastal homes and the peace and quiet of car-free paths await you.

Fiona McKinna
Feb 205 min read
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