Living a Nordic Life with Fiona McKinna

Autumn is the perfect time to slow down a little and unplug from technology.  Just a few hours with some simple hobbies and no phone or TV can make a huge difference to our mental health.  Join me, Fiona, for this episode where I share some ways to have an unplugged autumn, the Nordic way.

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

Step into the world of Nordic Grannycore—a quietly powerful aesthetic rooted in slow living, seasonal rhythm, and everyday craftsmanship. In this episode, we explore the comforting rituals that define it: knitting warm gifts for winter, baking with butter and memory, cooking from scratch, tending small northern gardens, fermenting as a form of patience, and taking slow hikes through wild, quiet landscapes.

This isn’t nostalgia for its own sake—it’s a living tradition of care, resilience, and connection to place. Join us as we talk about why these old skills feel newly relevant, and how they offer a gentler way of moving through modern life.

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

After years of living in Norway, I’ve started asking myself a question I never expected: could I ever leave Norway?

In this personal episode, I reflect on life in Norway, Norwegian culture, belonging, and what it means to call somewhere home — while quietly wondering whether my future might eventually take me back to the UK.

A personal reflection on living in Norway, moving abroad, returning home, and finding where you truly belong.

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, we dive into the Nordic obsession with wild swimming—why people across Scandinavia willingly plunge into icy lakes, fjords, and seas the moment summer arrives. It looks extreme from the outside, but for locals it’s pure joy, ritual, and a way of fully stepping into the season. We explore the shock, the stillness that follows, and the quiet magic of cold water in a place where summer never lasts long enough.

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

Hustle culture is on the demise, and people are beginning to choose slow, intentional living. The days of measuring worth and value by productivity need to stop and we need to start to think about our mental and physical wellbeing and what impact long days and constant work are having on us in the longterm.  Join me, Fiona, in this episode as we explore the benefits of choosing slow living.

You can read the article here - https://www.livinganordiclife.com/post/why-more-people-are-choosing-slow-living-over-hustle-culture
For tips on managing tech -  https://moonlock.com/

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

Travelling with autistic children can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to mean staying at home. In this episode of Living a Nordic Life, I share what I've learned from 17 years of travelling with my three autistic children. From planning ahead and avoiding sensory overload to finding calm in nature and using airport assistance, these practical tips can help make family adventures less stressful and much more enjoyable for everyone.

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

Buzzsprout Episode Description

What is it really like to live with the midnight sun? In this episode of Living a Nordic Life, we're exploring one of the most remarkable aspects of a Nordic summer: the light. From bright evenings that stretch towards midnight to spontaneous swims, outdoor dinners and the challenge of convincing yourself it's actually bedtime, we'll look at how endless daylight shapes daily life in Norway and across Scandinavia. Join me for a gentle reflection on summer in the north, and why these fleeting weeks of light feel so precious.

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 Norway, 15 year olds are given the chance to be confirmed in a traditional ceremnoy and rite of passage.  In this episode join me, Fiona, for a personal look at the time leading up to the confirmation and special day with family and friends.  

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

What happens when you leave the green hills of southern England and make a life in the Nordic north? In this episode, Fiona reflects on the unexpected lessons she has learned from years of living in Norway. From embracing resilience and learning to thrive in long, cold winters, to discovering the Nordic habit of quiet perseverance and choosing joy even during life's hardest seasons, this is a gentle conversation about the values that shape a Nordic life.

Join me as I share how Norway changed my perspective on hardship, happiness, and what it truly means to live well. Whether you're drawn to Nordic culture or simply looking for a little more calm and contentment in your own life, I hope these lessons inspire you as much as they have inspired me.

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

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 us in the Living a Nordic Life Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/livinganordiclife