Off Grid Living Diary #2 - The Solitude
Over the past couple of years, I have found myself becoming less and less interested in living in a society where consumption is king and the pressure to spend is unrelenting. Part of the draw for me to live where I do is both the off grid nature of the house but also the remote location.
I live surrounded by pine forest, I don’t watch television and trips to the nearest town are usually limited to the supermarket run. By the way, an added bonus of less opportunity to shop is that I have become much more strict about using an actual shopping list. I can’t just nip to the shops for one item, (which usually results in coming out of the shop with more than one thing anyway) and the result is a lower weekly shopping bill.
Living in a remote location has also allowed me to put less pressure on myself. Because I don’t watch television or read magazines, I see a lot less advertising than I used to and, let’s face it, brands and retailers only spend on advertising in a bid to get you to spend more. I don’t wear makeup daily and I already have enough clothes purchased over the years to last a very long time. Obviously, I am also fortunate in my choice of partner, who tells me he prefers the natural look anyway. (I am fairly sure he is not saying that just to be sweet and lovely!)
I appreciate that for many people, their ability to simplify their lives as I have done is limited. I also know that I am fortunate in being able to choose to live where I do.
The result for me though is a simpler life but a richer life in every sense of the word. It is now my aim to continue to learn more about myself, what I need, what motivates me and pass this on to other people who may find some inspiration to live the way they want to.
And hopefully, spend more time on the deck reading a book!
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the less you have to worry about, the more time you find to enjoy life as a whole! less time shopping, more time reading <3
cheers for supportive partners! aren't they soul-renewing & rewarding?
So, what sort of books do you read? Seems like the natural follow-up ;-)
I really resonate with the shopping list bit. I live in a small out of the city community, so we buy at the supermarket in the city weekly. When my last SO who was born and raised in the city always had an empty fridge, and each time when we wanted to cook something or even have a snack we had to go and buy at a nearby grocery store, it drove me mad.
It's also such a waste of time. And time is the most valuable resource we own, and that understanding is also the truth underlying your posts, I feel.
I am afraid that I get told off for reading fiction instead of expanding my mind - that particular book is a Ken Follet one. I really do like historical fiction but also any history books talking about the 19th century and going backwards. What about you?
And you are correct in that I am finding the fact that I have more time the most valuable benefit in living out in the sticks.
I mostly read fantasy and sci-fi these days. My logic is that if I can read a novel, or a drama, or whatever, why not also add interesting setting on top of it? I actually just published a post on some sci-fi books, heh.
The other thing I read are classics. I mean, I've read The Three Musketeers, Les Miserables, The Count of Monte Christo and others in elementary school. I also like stuff in the David Eggers or James Frey style... I just like reading, ok? :P
Also, pish-posh, the act of reading by itself makes you smarter and works your mind out. What you read is much less important than actually reading. I also get enough serious reading as a philosophy grad student, y'know?