Deep in the Arctic Circle, in a pocket between giant glaciers and under icebergs, Swedish photographer and content creator Cecilia Blomdahl has found incredible warmth.
The Norwegian archipelago, Svalbard, halfway between Norway’s northern coast and the North Pole, is the world’s northernmost inhabited area. Blomdahl, who lives in Svalbard’s largest town Longyearbyen, is one of about 2,500 residents in the area. Here, the colorful cabins contrast the backdrop of massive snow and celestial events that light up the sky.
Blomdahl moved to Svalbard in 2015 and documented his unique life to millions of social media followers. Now he has captured the serenity of his home, shimmering in shades of blue, in a new photo book titled “Life on Svalbard.”
“When you live here, you really immerse yourself in it; a peaceful and quiet environment,” Blomdahl, a former hospitality worker turned content creator, told CNN, “And every day being very close to nature; it’s lovely.”
The challenges of good health
Despite all its natural beauty, Svalbard is more than just a beautiful place. Its rich resources, such as fish, gas, and minerals, have made it the subject of economic and diplomatic conflict in the past, and it now serves as a thriving global hub for economic activity and scientific research. For those new to witchcraft, it’s a bucket list destination.
But as Blomdahl knows, life in Svalbard is not easy. From temperatures that sometimes drop below 30 (-34.4 Celsius), to polar bears and arctic foxes that roam the local streets, it takes a unique person to give up life on the mainland and move to a remote, and sometimes forbidding, place.
“Every day feels difficult. It’s either going to be crazy or a normal day,” said Blomdahl, “But a normal day here is very different; drinking coffee and the Northern Lights, or the midnight sun, or reindeer.”
That’s a common sentiment in Svalbard’s community – the extreme conditions, while impressive, mean people don’t live in the area by accident. People from nearly 50 countries live there, working in areas such as scientific research and seasonal tourism.
What makes someone want a home in such a remote place in the world? According to behavioral science experts, many people who seek extreme conditions may be motivated by the desire to challenge the limits of their physical and mental abilities, to escape from personal problems or daily fatigue, or just for fun.
For Blomdahl, a glimpse of Svalbard’s unparalleled scenery was all he needed to abandon his business ambitions in England and Sweden and choose to live what he describes in his book as “a life connected to nature marked by slow travel.”
“Everything up here is so pure and beautiful,” said Blomdahl, “you think it’s some kind of magic because it’s not real.”
Living on the edge of the earth
On his social media channels, Blomdahl shows viewers first-hand how the environment of Svalbard shapes his daily life. For example, it is not only necessary to carry polar bear protective gear when traveling outside of designated habitats, it is mandated by law. In another striking photo from his book, he is shown with a gun on his back as he and his dog stand far from residential areas. Blomdahl, who took all the photos himself, even caught a polar bear near his home – taken from a distance, for safety reasons.
The year in Svalbard is characterized by two unusual seasons of light: the clear night and the midnight sun. The Polar Night runs from mid-November to the end of January, when the sun does not rise above the horizon. The midnight sun, which lasts about 18 weeks between April and August, is when the sun does not sink below the horizon. These periods of constant light and darkness throughout the day can wreak havoc on the body and mind. Blomdahl recalled how friends, confused by the clear night, found themselves going to work in the middle of the night, instead of the equally dark daytime hours.
Such unusual living conditions can have profound effects on people’s health. Despite the positive outlook on health and quality of life in Svalbard, the night and midnight sun can disrupt sleep cycles, blood protein levels, and increase the risk of chronic diseases. Despite taking supplements, Blomdahl says she saw a drop in her levels of vitamin D, which supports immune health and brain cell function.
Still, Blomdahl still says that cool nights are “one of the most beautiful times of the year,” when he can be “dark.” He appreciates the quiet time, but stresses the importance of maintaining a positive outlook and staying busy during what could be an endless season.
“Your mind is very strong. I see these dark days as a comforting thing,” said Blomdahl, “I think it’s up to everyone to try to do this practice and that thought.”
A balanced view
Maintaining an adaptive mindset is an important Svalbardian way of dealing with the unique threat of climate change in the region. Studies show that Longyearbyen is six times hotter than the global average, and that melting glaciers and rising sea levels threaten the local economy and infrastructure. Research among some Arctic communities shows a correlation between climate change and higher levels of mental stress. In Svalbard, people report a high level of satisfaction with their lives despite environmental challenges, but climate issues such as permafrost thaw can leave some feeling drained. Blomdahl notes that an annual environmental survey is conducted in Svalbard to manage risks.
As for everyday life, Svalbard is well equipped with things to support its people. Longyearbyen includes much of what most cities on the continent have to offer, including an airport, a hospital, educational institutions, and more – all crowned as the center of the country’s northeast. However, given the machine-based work that makes up a large part of Svalbard’s economy, not to mention the harsh environment, the average length of stay in Svalbard is only seven years, according to Statistics Norway.
However, this is in line with the desire not to prolong life in Svalbard, according to Blomdahl. Local officials have prepared the available resources to primarily preserve life in Svalbard as it is, given the environmental and development constraints.
As for Blomdahl, his positive outlook and love for Svalbard prevent him from dwelling on uncertainty or worry. Instead, he says he’s only focused on creating educational content and keeping quiet about his unique life in a different place.
“That’s exactly what I want to do,” said Blomdahl, “I want to continue to show the beauty of the Arctic.” I just want to show Svalbard the way it is.”
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