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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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The Nordic Mindset Shift That Changed My Winters Forever
A small shift in mindset changed the way I experience winter in Norway. I discovered that winter needn't be something to endure, but a season to embrace, with the right clothes, a little fresh air and a willingness to find beauty in the cold, even on the greyest of days.

Fiona McKinna
1 hour ago2 min read


Learning to Love Winter: A Nordic Way of Seeing the Season
For years, I thought of winter as something to endure. Then I moved to Norway, where I discovered a different way of living with the cold and darkness. Through small Nordic rituals, cosy moments and a new appreciation for the changing seasons, I learned that winter wasn't my enemy after all. It was an invitation to slow down, find beauty in the ordinary and embrace the season.

Fiona McKinna
2 days ago5 min read


How to Create a Nordic-Inspired Self-Care Ritual for Every Season
Borrow from hygge, fika, friluftsliv, and sauna culture to build a self-care ritual that feels cozy, personal, and easy to return to on hard days.

Fiona McKinna
3 days ago4 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
Oct 182 min read


What I Don't Want To Lose About Norwegian Life
After many years in Norway, there are certain things about everyday life that have become part of who I am. From the habit of going outdoors whatever the weather to appreciating the changing seasons and finding pleasure in simple things, these are the parts of Norwegian life I hope to hold on to, wherever life takes me.

Fiona McKinna
Oct 164 min read


Five Gentle Ways to Tell the Story of Your Seasonal Paper Crafts
Discover five simple ways to photograph and share your handmade seasonal decorations, from quiet still-life portraits to close-up details and gentle moving images. With a little natural light, a thoughtful background and materials you already have, you can preserve the small details that make each creation special. A cosy, Nordic-inspired way to seasonal crafting, without the need for perfection or expensive equipment.

Fiona McKinna
Oct 155 min read


What can Nordic Habits Do for You?
There are habits that people in the Nordics use all the time to embrace a life of simple, happy intention that we can all do wherever we are

Fiona McKinna
Oct 114 min read


How To Love Autumn Like You're Nordic
Autumn is beauty itself, but I haven't always felt like that. It was not an instant love affair, I had to learn it. Do you feel the same?

Fiona McKinna
Oct 55 min read


Nordic Grannycore: The Cosy Aesthetic That Makes Life Feel Slower
Nordic Grannycore aesthetic celebrates slow Nordic living through knitting, baking, cooking from scratch, gardening, fermenting, and slow hiking. Rooted in seasonal rhythm and simple traditions, it embraces warmth, handmade gifts, and mindful outdoor life. Discover how Nordic women keep old skills alive through cosy, sustainable, and deeply comforting everyday rituals that connect home, nature, and community.

Fiona McKinna
Oct 25 min read


How To Have An Unplugged Autumn
What if you spent an evening this autumn doing absolutely nothing “useful”? Put your phone away, light a candle, make a mug of hot chocolate and settle down with a good book. Try a little knitting, baking or another old-fashioned hobby, and let your home become your cosy retreat. This is your invitation to slow down, embrace the darker evenings and discover the simple pleasures of an unplugged Nordic autumn.

Fiona McKinna
Sep 185 min read


The Nordic Love of Wool
The love of wool in Norway is seeing no signs of ever waning. Wol is warm, versatile and reliable and keeps you warm in the coldest climes

Fiona McKinna
Sep 133 min read


10 Nordic Secrets That Transformed My Life
When I moved to Norway I had no idea that simple Nordic habits would change my life forever. These are the 10 ways my life has changed

Fiona McKinna
Sep 75 min read


The Ancient Nordic Art of Food Preservation
Food preservation in the Nordic countries is an ancient craft shaped by long winters and fleeting summers. From wind-dried fish and smoked meats to fermented vegetables and jars of summer berries, every method was built on patience and necessity. Today, these traditions still linger in kitchens across the region, not out of survival, but as a quiet connection to seasons, time, and a slower way of living with nature.

Fiona McKinna
Sep 44 min read


How to Make Your Next Camping Trip a Little More Hygge
Hygge is something we can bring with us everywhere we go, even on camping trips. I have some tips to make your next trip extra cosy

Fiona McKinna
Aug 235 min read


The Nordic Obsession with Wild Swimming
The Nordic obsession with wild swimming isn’t just about fitness or bravery—it’s about ritual, presence, and making the most of a short summer. From icy fjords to forest lakes, people of all ages plunge into cold water with surprising joy. The shock is instant, the calm that follows is addictive. In a region where summer is fleeting, wild swimming becomes a way to feel fully alive, grounded, and awake to the season.

Fiona McKinna
Aug 74 min read


How To Embrace a Scandi-Inspired 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
Aug 34 min read


Why it’s important to find an Affordable Travel eSIM with Fast and Reliable Data For Your Trip
Most of us rely on our phones when we travelling and it can be really upsetting to discover that that we can't get coverage in the place we are visiting. So doing a bit of research into the right eSIM for your phone is crucial.

Fiona McKinna
Jul 303 min read


More People are Choosing Slow Living Over Hustle Culture, Here's Why
Feeling constantly exhausted? You are not alone! Many of us are choosing slower living to create a healthier life. Work-life balance, reducing burnout and embracing minimalism can help us find joy in everyday life. Learn practical ways to slow down, set better boundaries, simplify your routines, and reclaim your time. This guide explores why more people are choosing intentional living over hustle culture—and how you can too.

Fiona McKinna
Jul 294 min read


A Very Norwegian Pilgrimage for St Olav
Olsok is a special day in Norway and marks the pilgramage to Trindheim to celebrate St Olav.

Fiona McKinna
Jul 264 min read


How to Travel With Autistic Children
Travelling with autistic children often requires more planning than simply packing a suitcase and heading off. As parents of three autistic children, we've learned how preparation, flexibility and a good understanding of sensory needs can transform family travel. From choosing quiet accommodation and making time for nature to using airport assistance and planning regular breaks, these simple strategies have helped us explore the world with confidence and far fewer meltdowns.

Fiona McKinna
Jul 246 min read
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