The best thing that could have happened was that we would never move on

For many people, the dream is big city life, speed and more opportunities. For her and her family, the dream was something completely different: sea views at Borhaug, surfboards in the hallway, children growing up close to nature and the feeling of finally landing.

She herself grew up in Kristiansand, with roots in Farsund, but without really understanding what the place meant to her at the time.

- I think I took Farsund a bit for granted. It was just "where we went in the summer". But when I look back, it was actually where I was most myself. Barefoot, salt in my hair and completely free. My grandparents at Kjørkleiv, Borhaug, the light, the sea... there was something there all the time. I just didn't realise it until much later.

Today, she has lived in several places around the world, but it was at Borhaug that she found the feeling of home.

- It's almost annoyingly easy to explain. It just felt right. Not as a strategic decision, more like the body was saying: "Now you can relax a little." And when you're standing on the beaches here and watching the sun go down into the sea, it's hard to argue with that.

A life with more life

Many people move to big cities to find the life of their dreams. They did the opposite.

- We wanted a life that was a little more life. My husband gets to surf, I get beaches and sunsets that look like a filter without a filter, and our children thrive.

But it's not just about nature.

- The people here are incredibly nice. There's not so much rubbish. At the same time, I love the fact that I can still get a bit of a big city feeling in mini format. Good coffee from Jan Christian, sourdough bread from Kjærlighet Kafé and always a good book recommendation from Åshild at the bookshop. That's luxury enough for me.

Nor was there one big revelation that told them the move was right.

- It actually crept in quite quietly. And then one day I just thought: "Oh well... we're not going any further." It feels really good to say out loud.

From "complete crisis" to dream life

When her parents moved to Farsund when she was a teenager, she chose to stay behind in Kristiansand.

- I thought it was a complete crisis. "To Farsund? Seriously?" Now I just have to laugh about it. What I thought was far-fetched at the time is exactly what I appreciate most now.

She emphasises the nature, tranquillity and space the children get to grow up in.

- You get a little wiser over the years. Fortunately.

And nature has become an important part of the life the family has created at Lista.

- There's something about the sea. Nature doesn't pay much attention to your plans, and that's actually quite healthy. The sea provides both energy and tranquillity - depending on what you need and what it decides to do.

The little moments

Everyday life is not necessarily spectacular. It's quite ordinary," she says.

- There's a lot of driving, work, horses, dogs and "have you remembered this and that?". But then you have the little moments. A surf in the sunset. A walk around Einarsneset. Or just sitting at home with a coffee and looking out to sea.

It's those moments that make life feel rich.

- The little things make the whole day feel pretty good. And so does life.

Alongside her family life, she runs yoga studios in both Kristiansand and Farsund, and she describes the response at Lista as warm and inclusive.

- People are open, curious and very supportive. And there are a lot of great yoga teachers here, so it feels more like a team than competition.

She also sees a difference in what people are looking for.

- Perhaps a little less achievement and a little more "how do I really feel?". And I really like that.

Coming home - on your own terms

Returning to where your family comes from has taken on a whole new meaning.

- It feels very right. A bit like closing a circle, but in a nice way. Now it's not something I had to do. It's something I've chosen for myself.

When asked to describe the life her family has created at Borhaug in three words, the answer comes quickly:

- Calm. Bright. Nature.

And to others who are considering moving to Farsund, she has a simple piece of advice:

- Give it a try. The worst thing that can happen is that you move again. But the best thing that can happen is that you realise you never want to move on again.

We thank you for the chat and wish Nina and her family all the best in beautiful Farsund.