I’ve lived in the Arctic Circle for 9 YEARS & swear by 5 ways I keep warm without heating – it’s easier than you think
A 34-YEAR-OLD globetrotter has revealed the challenges of living year-round in arctic conditions.
Cecilia Blomdahl planned to stay just three months in Svalbard but “ended up falling in love with the lifestyle” when she visited nine years ago.
Svalbard, which is located between mainland Norway and the North Pole, is one of the world’s northernmost inhabited islands.
Cecilia has garnered 892,000 YouTube subscribers and penned the New York Times bestseller Life on Svalbard by sharing her experience living there.
She said her friends and family weren’t surprised when she moved to the icy island from Gothenburg, Sweden as she had enjoyed experiencing different countries from a young age.
“When I was 16, I went to a Swedish school in Spain and lived with a Spanish family,” Cecilia told The Sun.
“Then, at 20, I moved to Australia with my older sister for a year. I’m really thankful for the opportunities I’ve had to explore so much of the world at a young age, those experiences have truly shaped who I am.
“My parents did find this destination a bit unusual and never imagined I would end up calling it my home.”
Cecilia said she “craved” exploration and would think about her next adventure while working in Sweden’s hotel industry.
When she planned a trip to Svalbard it was supposed to last a few months before she’d find somewhere new to visit.
“I didn’t think it was the kind of place I’d settle in long-term, but I couldn’t have been more wrong,” she said.
“I ended up falling in love with the lifestyle here, where everything revolves around nature and being outdoors.
“Every day feels like an adventure, thanks to Svalbard’s wild climate and dramatic seasons.
“Plus, the village is packed with like-minded people from all over the world, making it such an inspiring place to call home.”
She said finding housing can be difficult but she was lucky to get a job that came with accommodation.
Svalbard doesn’t require a visa, work or residency permit.
“I arrived in November, right in the middle of the polar night, when it’s dark 24/7, so I couldn’t really get a sense of where I had moved to,” she said.
“It wasn’t until the first full moon that I discovered there was a fjord at the end of the village.
“Reindeer wander the streets, you have to carry polar bear protection when you go outside the village, and there are seasons where you experience either continuous daylight or total darkness. It’s unlike anywhere else.”
Cecilia revealed she’s had to learn tricks for staying warm due to the cold weather.
“The first one is wool is your best friend in the cold,” she said.
“Start by layering wool thermals as a base, then add a wool sweater. If it’s windy, a windproof jacket under your big puffer coat is perfect for added protection.
5 ways to keep your house warm in winter
Property expert Joshua Houston shared his tips.
1. Curtains
“Windows are a common place for the outside cold to get into your home, this is because of small gaps that can let in air so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.
This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth as it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.
2. Rugs
“Your floor is another area of your home where heat can be lost and can make your home feel chilly,” he continued. “You might notice on cold days, that your floor is not nice to walk on due to it freezing your feet.
“Add rugs to areas that don’t already have a carpet, this provides a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”
3. Check your insulation
Check your pipes, loft space, crawlspaces and underneath floorboards.
“Loose-fill insulation is very good for this, and is a more affordable type of insulation, with a big bag being able to be picked up for around £30,” Joshua explained.
4. Keep your internal doors closed
“Household members often gather in one room in the evening, and this is usually either the kitchen or living room,” Joshua said.
“This means you only have to heat a small area of your home, and closing the doors keeps the heat in and the cold out.”
5. Block drafts
Don’t forget to check cat flaps, chimneys and letterboxes, as they can let in cold air if they aren’t secure.
“For your feet, here’s a game-changer – wear shoes that are at least one size bigger than normal.
“This extra space traps air, which warms up and keeps your toes cosy. With these layers and tricks, you’ll stay comfortable even in the chilliest weather.”
The content creator said she was surprised by how “exhausting” she found the polar days of continuous daylight.
She’s learned to look forward to the months of darkness where she can get “much-needed rest.”
Cecilia described the polar night, which takes place from November to February, as transforming her village into a “winter wonderland.”
“The northern lights and star-filled skies are breathtaking,” she said.
“Then comes the sunny winter (March to May), which is also a fantastic time of year.
“The island is completely snow-covered, allowing us to spend our days exploring on snowmobiles, venturing into ice caves, and skiing. Summer is wonderful, too.”
Cecilia said there’s more to do in her small town of just 2,400 people than outsiders think.
It’s filled with hotels, bars, restaurants, sports events, pub quizzes and even weekly knitting groups at the cafe.
“With so many people coming and going each year, there’s always a fresh influx of newcomers and new businesses popping up,” she said.
“Plus, Longyearbyen has a fantastic food scene, with lots of great options to enjoy.”
She said most people live in apartments in the village, which is what she did in her first year in Svalbard.
However, she now lives in a cabin with her partner Christoffer and their dog Grim.
They’ve had to set up special systems because the cabin isn’t connected to the village’s water or sewer line.
“I absolutely love life here, so I can’t imagine why I would want to leave,” she said.
“I’m not really the type to have a five-year plan, so I can’t say exactly how long we’ll be here.
“However, for the foreseeable future, we’re excited to continue enjoying life in Svalbard.”