The Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, located between the northern coast of Norway and the North Pole, is the northernmost inhabited place on Earth. Cecilia Blomdahl is a young Swedish woman who lives in the largest city of the Svalbard archipelago, Longyearbyen. The area has only about 2,500 residents, fewer than the number of polar bears on the archipelago, according to Visit Svalbard. Here, colorful cabins stand alone against a backdrop of white snow and ice. The aurora borealis in the night sky shimmers and glows, making the scene even more magical.
Blomdahl, who used to work as a hotel employee and is now a social media content creator, has been sharing videos of her exciting life with her millions of social media followers since moving to Svalbard in 2015. She recently released a new photo book titled “Life in Svalbard.”
“Living in Svalbard, you are really immersed in nature, it is very quiet and peaceful. And every day you are close to nature, this is wonderful,” Blomdahl shared with CNN.
Nature is not easy
Svalbard is naturally beautiful and pristine, but above all, the archipelago contains rich resources such as seafood, gas and mineral deposits, making it a global center for economic activity and scientific research. For those who like a quiet and relaxing space, Svalbard is the ideal destination.
But as Blomdahl knows, life on Svalbard is not easy. From temperatures that sometimes drop below minus 30 degrees Celsius to the occasional encounter with a fox or polar bear roaming the streets, it takes a truly courageous person to abandon the comforts of life on the mainland and move to a remote, isolated place at the end of the Earth.
“Every day feels adventurous. There are times when it feels exciting, or wild, or just a normal day,” Blomdahl says, noting that “a normal day here is very special, like drinking coffee while watching the aurora borealis, the midnight sun, or the reindeer.”
These are also common feelings among the community residing in Svalbard. With extremely harsh natural conditions, although it has its own appeal, not everyone actively attaches themselves to this place. People living in Svalbard come from about 50 different countries, working in fields such as scientific research or seasonal tourism. What motivates people to seek shelter in the most remote corner of the world?
According to behavioral science experts, many people want to experience extreme conditions to challenge their physical and mental limits, escape from boring reality or simply seek a sense of adventure.
For Cecilia Blomdahl, just seeing the stunning scenery of Svalbard was enough to make her give up her business ambitions in the UK and Sweden to choose a lifestyle she describes in her book as “slow living and being immersed in nature”.
“Everything here is so pure and beautiful that you think the enchanting beauty is a miracle,” says Blomdahl.
At the "end of the Earth"
On her personal social media account, Blomdahl gives her audience a first-hand look at her daily life in Svalbard. For example, when leaving her residential area, it is imperative to wear polar bear protection. This is not only necessary, but also legally required. In one remarkable photo in her book, Blomdahl is seen with a gun slung over her back, standing next to a dog during an outdoor trip. Blomdahl took all the photos herself, and once she even captured a polar bear near her home, of course from a certain distance, for safety reasons.
The year in Svalbard is marked by two periods: the polar night and the midnight sun. The polar night lasts from mid-November to late January, when most of the area above the Arctic Circle is in darkness. The midnight sun, on the other hand, lasts 18 weeks, between mid-April and August, appearing 24 hours a day, including midnight. Whether it is continuous sunlight or prolonged darkness, both have a significant impact on the human body. Many people become disoriented during the polar night, going to work in the middle of the night because it is so dark that they cannot tell the difference between day and night. In addition, disrupted sleep-wake cycles and changes in blood protein levels can lead to an increased risk of chronic disease. Despite taking micronutrient supplements, Blomdahl said she noticed a sharp drop in her body's vitamin D levels, which could potentially affect immune health and brain cell function.
Still, Blomdahl says the polar night is one of the most wonderful times of the year when people become one with the darkness. She enjoys the quiet of the time, but also stresses the importance of staying positive and active during this gloomy season.
Balance life
Studies show that Longyearbyen is warming six times faster than the global average, and melting permafrost and rising sea levels are threatening the local economy and infrastructure. Several studies conducted in Arctic communities have shown a correlation between climate change and increased levels of mental stress. Svalbard residents who were asked reported high levels of satisfaction with their lives but also high levels of concern about climate change. Blomdahl noted that an environmental survey is conducted annually in Svalbard to manage risks.
Svalbard is well-equipped with all the infrastructure to sustain its residents. The city of Longyearbyen has most of the facilities and services that mainland cities offer, including an airport, hospitals, educational institutions, and more. However, considering the working conditions, not to mention the harsh environment, the average length of stay in Svalbard is only 7 years, according to Statistics Norway.
Blomdahl says this is in line with the Svalbard archipelago's policy of not expanding its population. Local officials focus their available resources primarily on maintaining the current way of life, given environmental and development constraints.
Maintaining a positive attitude of adaptation is a useful way that the people of Svalbard cope with the harshness of this land.
For Blomdahl, optimism and love for Svalbard help her to put aside any confusion and anxiety. Instead, she says, she focuses on creating content about her special life in a very special place.
“That's what I want to do. I want to continue sharing the beauty of the Arctic with everyone. I want to show everyone the beauty of Svalbard.”
