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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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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
18 hours ago4 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
4 days ago4 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


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


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


What March Teaches Me Every Year About Patience & Light
Every year, March reminds me that becoming doesn’t need urgency. It needs time—and a little more light than yesterday. It's a gentle month that teaches us patience and acceptance of the slow moving seasons

Fiona McKinna
Mar 83 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


Creamy Nettles & Mushrooms on Rye Toast
Spring in the perfect time to start eating delicious wild greens and this simple and tasty breakfast or lunch dish will have you coming back for more

Fiona McKinna
Feb 252 min read


5 Simple Ways to Take Your Healthy Nordic Habits with You
Nordic living does not belong only to forests ad fjords. It can travel with you. Discover 5 simple ways to carry healthy Nordic habits into everyday life - from nourishing seasonal food and daily time outdoors to simpler rhythm and small, steady pleasures. A gentle guide to creating calm, balance and intentional living wherever you are.

Fiona McKinna
Feb 164 min read


Seasonal Nordic Ingredients to Celebrate in February
February in the Nordics marks the true heart of winter, when snow blankets the land and daylight is scarce. Nordic winter food traditions shine during this season, relying on preserved foods, root vegetables, hardy greens, and cured proteins. From Viking times to today, seasonal Nordic cuisine has supported sustainable, mindful eating. Embracing these simple, natural ingredients connects us to tradition while reducing reliance on ultra-processed food and celebrating authentic

Fiona McKinna
Feb 115 min read


Lighting the Winter. Embracing Candles, Lanterns and Cosy Corners
Embrace the Nordic way of lighting the winter with candles, lanterns, and cozy corners. Discover how Scandinavians transform long, dark nights into warm, inviting spaces using soft lighting, mindful rituals, and simple decor. Learn tips for creating hygge-inspired corners, layering light, and bringing seasonal warmth into your home. Perfect for intentional living and enjoying the magic of winter in comfort and style.

Fiona McKinna
Jan 253 min read


Nordic Winter Outdoor Habits to Improve Wellbeing
Boost your wellbeing this winter with Nordic outdoor habits. From friluftsliv and forest walks to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sauna rituals, discover how Nordic practices help reduce stress, improve mood, and strengthen the body. Embrace winter like the Nordics and transform the cold months into a season of vitality, calm, and connection with nature

Fiona McKinna
Jan 234 min read


Nordic Winter Rituals to Slow Down and Recharge
Discover Nordic winter rituals to slow down and recharge this January. From mindful mornings and cozy hygge spaces to forest walks, seasonal cooking, and calming candlelight, these simple habits help you embrace intentional living, reduce stress, and find warmth during the long, dark Nordic nights. Learn how to bring the peaceful, restorative rhythms of Nordic winters into your everyday life.

Fiona McKinna
Jan 194 min read


Starting the New Year with Nordic Sustainability
Start the new year with Nordic-style sustainability by embracing minimalism, mindful consumption, and slow living. Discover practical tips for eco-friendly home practices, seasonal routines, sustainable travel, and intentional goal-setting. Learn how simple, thoughtful habits inspired by Scandinavian culture can reduce waste, support the environment, and bring balance and purpose to your daily life.

Fiona McKinna
Jan 94 min read


Nordic Hygge; Making the Long Nights Cosy
There’s a certain beauty to winter if we let it arrive at its own pace. Nordic hygge encourages us to soften the edges of January—filling our homes with candlelight, warmth, and simple rituals that bring comfort. Whether it’s a quiet evening with a book, a shared pot of tea, or a moment of mindful stillness, hygge reminds us that contentment often lives in the smallest, most ordinary moments.

Fiona McKinna
Jan 53 min read


Velkommen 2026! Welcome 2026!
Let's start the new year with some Nordic positivity and look forward to the beauty that January has to offer us. It's also a great time to plan ahead a little with gardening and take some moments to cook cosy comfort food.

Fiona McKinna
Jan 1, 20262 min read


How to Have a Hygge Romjul (Just Like We Do in Norway)
Romjul is the time between Christmas and New Year and in Norway it has a special place. It's cherished and celebrated in simple and intentional ways.

Fiona McKinna
Dec 26, 20254 min read
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