Living off The Grid: Pros and Cons
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Going off the radar and living the dream of complete self-sustainability sure sounds like a romantic idea to any warm-blooded person. It’s the opportunity of reconnecting with nature and not being exposed to the stress and hustle that is our modern society, finding peace and quiet somewhere far away from civilization.
Before you make any decisions, it’s a good idea to understand the ups and downs to this kind of alternative living. You’ll soon enough discover that it can be just as isolating as it can be romantic and that even the simplest way of living can run into hiccups.
Here is what those who went off the grid before you wish they knew, making your dream slightly more realistic.
Pros: Complete independence
Not being dependent on the conventional energy sources means that you are, at last, completely free. While you might still be bound by the taxes on the property you’re staying at, everything else is suddenly up to you, and the freedom is secured at last. No more utility bills and no more grid outages – yet, you might want to consider a renewable energy source in order to lead a normal life.
This means that you need to invest in an RE system which is usually rather expensive, so make sure you’ve looked into the alternatives before waving goodbye to civilization. Read more about the options of RE systems at https://www.motherearthnews.com for more details.
Cons: No electricity
You can live without electricity if you want to, but you still need to find ways to wash your clothes and heat up your home. This is, as humanity has proven, possible without electricity but it makes even the most mundane task a bit challenging. Invest in the kind of system mentioned above, or manage without it by making use of electricity elsewhere. Rely on your closest community to charge your appliances, for example, as well as for when you need to use the Internet.
Pros: The peace of nature
Those who love this kind of living are usually attracted to the idea of being, basically, one with nature. When society no longer provides for you, you’re suddenly in debt to nature again and depend fully on her to take care of you. Remember that you can’t control the elements around you and might force you to stay inside for a while, triggering the cabin fever in you after awhile.
It gives a lot of people a sense of purpose they formerly lacked, surrounding themselves with the beauty and peace of nature.
You might find yourself longing back to society after a couple of weeks or months, though, which is quite normal.
Cons: Isolation
This kind of alternative living is perhaps more likely to attract introverts rather than extroverts. You’ll undeniably be living very differently than in a city – or even a small town, so make sure you take the sufficient time to consider if it is the right choice for you.
There are many ways to live close to nature and enjoy the silence one could never find in the city without isolating yourself; have a look at farm-living options at https://www.jumpintogreenerpastures.com and weigh the pros and the cons before you make up your mind.
While a lot of people love the thought of complete silence and listening only to the words of nature, everyone needs to socialize. Even the most self-proclaimed hermit is in need of human interaction, friendship, and care; if you decide to go off the grid, find ways to spend time with people nonetheless.
Pros: Learning to live with less
No matter how long you live like this, one experience will be immensely valuable; the ability to live with as little as possible and depend on nothing. Anyone who returns to society after a few months or years of alternative living is taken by surprise by how many possessions regular people feel they need – kind of like going away with a friend who packs two full suitcases while you show up with a weekend bag.
The time they have for introspection, meditation, and listening to nothing but nature can trigger a sense of tranquility in anyone. You never needed all of that stuff, and when you return to your old community, you might realize that you’ll never need it again.
Stepping back from the constant noise of society can be healthy for everyone. Just know what you’re in for before making any decisions – and keep in mind that you can always find ways to connect with nature without disconnecting from civilization.