Living a Nordic Life with Fiona McKinna

Keeping chickens can be many people's idea of living a sustainable life with abundant eggs and a fun and entertaining animal in your life. As much as chickens are wonderful to have around (in my opinion!), there are a plenty of reasons to think carefully about whether you are ready for them. In this episode I share some amusing and not so savoury reasons why you might NOT want to keep hens. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join u...

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. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Living a Nordic Life Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/livinganordiclife

From the outside, Nordic life can look simple—quiet homes, slow routines, and the ideas of hygge and lagom. But beneath that simplicity is something deeper. In this episode, we explore how Nordic living creates space for presence, meaning, and emotional depth. From nature and seasonal rhythms to silence and slower days, discover why a simpler life can feel richer—and how to bring that mindset into your own life. A gentle shift in perspective: what if a good life isn’t a louder one, but a deep...

Picture this: you’re sipping coffee in a sleek Copenhagen café, laptop open, surrounded not by students but by nomads juggling clients across time zones. Scandinavia has quietly cracked the code—blazing internet, eco-friendly cities, and a culture that says yes to balance. Whether it’s kayaking after work in Sweden or networking in Oslo’s co-working hubs, the Nordics make remote work feel less like a grind and more like a lifestyle upgrade. Being a digital nomad in the Nordics is something sp...

Every year on 6 February, the Sámi people, the Indigenous inhabitants of northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia, celebrate Sámi National Day. It’s a powerful day of culture, identity, and resilience—honouring one of Europe’s oldest Indigenous communities. The date marks the first Sámi congress in 1917, when Sámi leaders came together to fight for land rights, language preservation, and cultural recognition. Today, the celebration includes flag-raising, traditional joik music, gákti clot...

Step into the deep midwinter of the Old Norse world and discover what January meant to the Vikings. In this episode, we explore Yule’s lingering echoes, seasonal rituals, blóts, and the quiet endurance of winter. Learn how Norse families kept culture alive through storytelling, work, and community, and how gods like Odin, Thor, and Freyr shaped life during the coldest months. A reflective journey through Viking winter traditions, Norse mythology, and the Old Norse calendar, perfect for ...

Christmas is a time for traditions — from family rituals to national customs — that connect us to our roots and bring warmth during the darkest season. In this episode, I share what Christmas looks like in my life in Norway, where Nordic winter landscapes, candlelight, snow, and festive gatherings set the scene. Join me as I explore cherished family and Norwegian traditions, including pepperkaker (gingerbread) baking workshops, cosy Christmas parties, Norwegian Christmas markets filled ...

Self care is more than a few fluffy blankets, an indulgent lunch or an hour in a bubble bath. It's a deep, sustainable and grown up commitment to our own mental and physical wellbeing. But how does that look and can we even achieve it? For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Living a Nordic Life Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/livinganordiclife

In this episode of Living a Nordic Life, we dive into the Norwegian word friluftsliv — “open-air living” — and how it shapes everyday life in the Nordics. More than just spending time outside, friluftsliv is a philosophy, a way of weaving the natural world into the rhythm of daily living. I’ll share how discovering this single word shifted my perspective, teaching me to seek out fresh air and quiet moments no matter the season. From walks in the woods to simple pauses under the sky, friluftsl...

In this episode of Living a Nordic Life, we wander into the quiet beauty of the Nordic outdoors — not with skis or hiking poles, but with a slower, gentler pace. Discover how Nordic culture embraces the art of simply being outside: sitting on a bench with a cup of coffee, watching the shifting skies, or savoring the scent of pine and sea air. We’ll explore why “doing less” in nature can actually bring us more — more calm, more presence, and more connection to the world around us. Whether it’s...

In this episode of Living a Nordic Life, we explore one of the most beloved Nordic sayings: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” From rain-soaked autumn days to icy winter mornings, the Nordic approach to the outdoors is simple — nature is not something to avoid, but something to embrace. We’ll talk about how this mindset transforms everyday life, why going outside in all seasons matters so deeply here, and how you can bring a little of that resilient, joyful outdoor spi...

The middle of August is the start of the new school year in Norway. It's a time of excitement and a few nerves, but before school starts we have to get some supplies in. Join me in this episode as I discuss what my three children need for school. Hilsen fra Fiona For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Living a Nordic Life Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/livinganordiclife

Why are people in Scandinavia and the Nordics so happy? There are lots of factors that contribute to happiness and wellbeing in these countries. Let's explore why and how they make people here so happy and how we can embrace that in our own lives. For more Nordic living, visit the Living a Nordic Life www.livinganordiclife.com or join us in the Living a Nordic Life Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/livinganordiclife