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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 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


Why Finland's Education Model is Such a Success
Why is Finland's education system consistently ranked among the world's best? Discover the Nordic principles behind Finland's success, from trusted teachers and student wellbeing to critical thinking, equality, and lifelong learning. Explore how the Finnish approach creates confident, independent learners and why educators around the world continue to look to Finland for inspiration.

Fiona McKinna
Jul 286 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


A Deeper Look at Education in the Nordics
Discover why the Nordic education system is admired around the world. From collaborative classrooms and flexible degree programmes to innovation, sustainability, and exceptional student support, universities in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland offer a unique approach to learning. Whether you're considering studying abroad or simply curious about Nordic life, explore what makes this education model so successful.

Fiona McKinna
Jul 236 min read


4 Traditional Nordic Foods You (Probably) Won't Find Outside Scandinavia
There are some foods that are so traditional that you rarely find outside their country of origin. How many of these Nordic foods have you eaten?

Fiona McKinna
Jul 215 min read


What Nordic Life Teaches Us About Getting Through Difficult Times
When life feels difficult, Nordic living reminds us that comfort is often found in the simplest things. A warm bowl of soup, a familiar routine, a walk in fresh air, or quiet practical support can help us keep going. Discover how the Nordic approach to resilience embraces the changing seasons, steady daily rhythms, and small acts of care that make even the hardest days feel a little more manageable.

Fiona McKinna
Jul 165 min read


How to Have a Beautiful Nordic Lawn
Keeping a lush, green lawn in a northern climate isn't always easy. Long winters, frozen ground and short growing seasons all put grass to the test. In this guide, I share the lessons we've learned caring for our own Nordic garden, from choosing the right grass varieties and adjusting mowing heights to aeration, fertilising and smart technology. With a little planning, you can enjoy a healthy, resilient lawn that's ready for summer.

Fiona McKinna
Jul 106 min read


Living With The Midnight Sun: When Evening Never Quite Arrives
What is it really like to live with the midnight sun? Across Norway and the Nordic countries, July brings long days, bright evenings and a unique relationship with time. From late-night walks and outdoor living to the practical challenges of sleeping when darkness never quite arrives, discover how the midnight sun shapes everyday life and why Scandinavians treasure these fleeting weeks of endless summer light.

Fiona McKinna
Jul 104 min read


The Nordic Case for Slowing Down How You Say Thank You
What if a simple greetings card could reflect the values of Nordic living? Instead of becoming waste, plantable seed paper cards transform into wildflowers, turning a small gesture into something that continues to grow. Discover how slowing down, choosing with intention, and embracing thoughtful everyday rituals can make even saying thank you a little more meaningful.

Fiona McKinna
Jul 93 min read


The Norwegian Confirmation - A Family Celebration Like No Other
What happens at a Norwegian confirmation? Join our family as we celebrate this important Norwegian rite of passage. From the weeks of preparation and confirmation classes to bunads, family gatherings, traditional food, gifts and cake, this personal account offers a glimpse into one of Norway's most cherished traditions. Discover what a Norwegian confirmation is, why it matters, and how families mark the journey from childhood to adulthood.

Fiona McKinna
Jun 265 min read


How To Create a Calm Nordic Home That Feels Lived In
Learn how to create a calm Nordic-style home with simple furniture, natural materials, soft lighting, muted colours, and less clutter.

Fiona McKinna
Jun 144 min read


The Perfect Midsummer Party Buffet (Nordic Style!)
Midsummer is a time of endless celebration, long days and beautiful weather. The midsummer celebration in the Nordics is a special event with friends and family and of course delicious food.

Fiona McKinna
Jun 124 min read


Smörgåstårta, Swedish Sandwich Cake
Smörgåstårta is an exciting and unusual savoury cake that will intrigue your guests and get everyone talking.

Fiona McKinna
May 294 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


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


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


Simple Living isn't about owning less - it's about wanting less
Simple living isn't about having less and paring your life down to the bare minimum. It's about wanting less and feeling that gentle shift that is so liberating as we let go of the need to constantly strive for more.

Fiona McKinna
Apr 33 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


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
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