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.

Easter Marzipan: A Surprising Scandinavian Tradition!

Marzipan is a favourite treat in Scandinavia and Easter is a time to indulge a little in a tradition that is a little surprising

Fiona McKinna

Apr 74 min read

Velkommen april, Welcome April

It's a simple joy to find ourselves in the months leading up to summer. It comes so suddenly it feels in the Nordics. One moment we have...

Fiona McKinna

Apr 12 min read

Why keeping your distance matters more in Nordic culture

Giving one another space in the Nordics is a really important part of the culture. It shows respect and thought for others.

Fiona McKinna

Mar 234 min read

Sisu: How to Have True Finnish Resilience

Sisu is the very essence of Finnishness. It conveys a resilience and bravery in the face of adversity that we can all benefit from

Fiona McKinna

Mar 173 min read

Six US Cities Where Scandinavian Culture Thrives

Scandinavian culture is not only important to those living in Scandinavia, but also in te US. Here are six cities in the US where it thrive

Fiona McKinna

Mar 95 min read

Ready or Not, Here Comes the Nordic Spring

March is the first spring month in the Nordics and one we eagerly anticipate. Long winter days begin to warm up and the snow melts

Fiona McKinna

Mar 35 min read

Velkommen mars

March is the first spring month in the Nordics and a time of joy, rebirth and growth

Fiona McKinna

Mar 13 min read

Funny Norwegian Phrases to Brighten Your Day

Every language has it's own idioms and funny expressions, but Norwegian ones are some of the funniest. Can you guess what each one means?

Fiona McKinna

Feb 233 min read

The Quirky Traditions of Scandinavian Fastelavn: What You Didn't Know

Fastelavn is a joyful and fun celebration throughout the whole of Scandinavia. It's a time to embrace joy before the start of Lent

Fiona McKinna

Feb 175 min read

How to celebrate your birthday Norwegian style

Norwegians certainly know how to celebrate. Birthdays are organised in a special way, but we can do the same wherever we are in the world.

Fiona McKinna

Feb 95 min read

Velkommen februar, Welcome February!

February is such a romantic sounding month. It has the promise of an early spring, longer days and the romance of Valentine's Day. In...

Fiona McKinna

Feb 12 min read

Uncovering the Secrets of Scandinavian Winter Wellness for a Healthier You!

Enjoying winter also means being healthy through it regardless of the weather. Let's look at how Nordic people embrace winter wellness

Fiona McKinna

Jan 204 min read

10 Ways to Make Life Lovely

What if I told you that you didn't need to spend time wishing your life was like someone else's? You already have a lovely life right now

Fiona McKinna

Jan 104 min read

You Don't Need to be Perfect

Life is not perfect and you don't need to be either. Despite what we see on social media you are enough as you are. Let me tell you why

Fiona McKinna

Jan 63 min read

The Top Living a Nordic Life Podcasts of 2024

Welcome January and 2025!! At the beginning of the month I usually write an article for my VIP membership readers that focusses on the...

Fiona McKinna

Jan 22 min read

Romjul, a very Nordic Post-Christmas tradition

Romjul is the relaxing and slow time after Christmas, but before New Year. In the Nordics it's marked in a special way

Fiona McKinna

Dec 27, 20244 min read

The Icelandic Yule Cat - not as fluffy as you might think!!

The Icelandic legend of the yule cat is not the cosy Christmas fireside tale you might hope for. It's a piece of scary Nordic noir

Fiona McKinna

Dec 22, 20242 min read

A Koselig Jul, A Cosy Nordic Christmas

I know that as soon as I mention Christmas in the Nordics it conjures up a picture of snow-covered wooden houses, long evenings, crisp...

Fiona McKinna

Dec 16, 20243 min read

Gløgg, Scandinavian Hot Mulled Wine

A Nordic Christmas is not complete without a delicious warming cup of gløgg or mulled wine. It's so easy to make ourselves.

Fiona McKinna

Dec 13, 20242 min read

The lovely simplicity of Nordic Christmas Decor

I've noticed a move in recent years from the shiny plastic, glittery Christmas decorations to the more natural, simple, Nordic style. ...

Fiona McKinna

Dec 8, 20245 min read

Living a Nordic Life

Easter Marzipan: A Surprising Scandinavian Tradition!

Velkommen april, Welcome April

Why keeping your distance matters more in Nordic culture

Sisu: How to Have True Finnish Resilience

Six US Cities Where Scandinavian Culture Thrives

Ready or Not, Here Comes the Nordic Spring

Velkommen mars

Funny Norwegian Phrases to Brighten Your Day

The Quirky Traditions of Scandinavian Fastelavn: What You Didn't Know

How to celebrate your birthday Norwegian style

Velkommen februar, Welcome February!

Uncovering the Secrets of Scandinavian Winter Wellness for a Healthier You!

10 Ways to Make Life Lovely

You Don't Need to be Perfect

The Top Living a Nordic Life Podcasts of 2024

Romjul, a very Nordic Post-Christmas tradition

The Icelandic Yule Cat - not as fluffy as you might think!!

A Koselig Jul, A Cosy Nordic Christmas

Gløgg, Scandinavian Hot Mulled Wine

The lovely simplicity of Nordic Christmas Decor

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