09/04/2026
1. The return of the night sky
After the bright Arctic summer, darkness gradually returns, and every year it hits me: the lack of light pollution up here is exceptional. On a clear night, the sky feels almost impossibly big. Gazillions of stars stretching overhead, causing that expansive feeling of being one with the universe.
2. Aurora reflections
Watching the northern lights dance is a jaw-dropping experience in itself, but doing so before the water freezes over and witnessing the reflection on a still lake… that’s next-level magic.
3. Foraging season
Autumn is when the forest becomes a pantry. Think bog bilberries, lingonberries, mushrooms and a million other wild amazing super foods left and right.
4. The quiet trails
With very few people, mosquitos or bugs around, the sense of solitude and wildness gets unreal. By far my favourite time for adventuring and hiking up here.
5. The colour explosion
For a few precious weeks, the landscape goes completely wild with colour. Birch trees turn brilliant yellow, blueberries become deep red, and the mountain slopes take on multiple shades of gold. Beauty overload, everywhere.
6. The crisp air
Cool, fresh and pure. After a summer of warm long days, there’s something incredibly rejuvenating and almost medicinal about feeling that chill crisp air in your lungs.
7. The special light
There’s something very particular about Arctic autumn light. As the sun gets lower, the landscape is bathed in that beautiful golden, directional light, with long shadows and glowing mountain faces.
For a photographer in particular, it’s heaven.
8. The feeling of transition in the air
One week the hills might be blazing yellow; a few weeks later, the first snow can be covering the landscape.
There’s this beautiful tension between abundance and impermanence, inspiring me to look within, identify what no longer serves me, and let it go.
Best part:
In only a couple of days I’ll get to share most (possibly all) of the above with several adventurous women during my next retreat, co-hosted alongside Melanie Wilson 🍁
If this makes you cry a little in FOMO, I hear you. Weak comfort(?): There’s always the waitli
