Why Living Off The Grid Could Be The Perfect Solution For You
Living off the grid means building a life that does not rely on public utilities. There are varying degrees of living off the grid, and we will discuss these in more depth first. Then, we will explore the various benefits of living off the grid and why it might be the perfect solution for you. We will also address the challenges of living off the grid, which include the isolation and the effort it can take to stay warm and feed yourself in winter. We will look at self-sufficient farming in more depth so you get a better idea of what it means to be off the grid. Finally, let’s talk about reconnecting with the earth, body, mind, and soul.
What Does It Mean to Live Off the Grid?
Living off the grid means building and sustaining a life without depending upon the electrical grid and other public utilities. To do this, you need to have your own sources of electricity, water, and sometimes even food. People live off the grid to different extents, some just living in small homes with their own sources of electricity, and others living on their own self-sustaining farms.
If the idea of living off the electrical grid and having your own independent source of electricity appeals to you, either economically or for a sense of freedom, you can take the leap and buy a small mobile home. When looking at a tiny home for sale, consider the cost of the home, the potential cost of setting up and running your own source of electricity, and the practicalities of this way of life. Of course, a significant advantage of living in a tiny mobile home is that you can choose the location of your home.
Let’s look at some of the other advantages of living off the grid.
The Benefits of Living Off the Grid
When living off the grid, you are freed from the capitalist and extortionate prices of public utilities, and your economic well-being is far less tied to the country’s economy and the current market. Moreover, you will enjoy a greater sense of peace as you depend only on yourself and the off-the-grid community.
It is also very likely that you will enjoy greater exposure to fresh air and nature as you build a life off the grid. Your tiny home will provide you with greater access to the outdoors. You will also benefit from the feeling of fulfillment and achievement of being able to self-sustain and survive without relying on public utilities.
The Disadvantages of Living Off the Grid
Despite the benefits of living off the grid, there are, of course, some downsides. You have to be sure that this way of life is for you before you make the bold move of buying a tiny mobile home and stepping away from the life of paying for and accessing public utilities.
There may also be moments in which you feel the effects of social isolation – though this will only be an issue if you choose to locate your tiny home miles from other people. With a phone, a local community, and a determination to stay social, you can live off the grid and maintain positive nurturing relationships.
Another challenge is the need to self-sustain if you have decided to live off the grid and totally rely on the land. This can be a huge commitment and particularly tough in the cold winter months when less can grow. We will discuss self-sufficient farming in more depth so you can weigh up the pros and cons for yourself.
How to Self-Sustain Off the Grid
If you really want to live off the grid, away from the pressures of corporate office work and capitalist stores, then you will need to learn to sustain yourself from the land. Self-sufficiency farming relies on a lot of determination, a bit of compromise, and, ironically, a community. It is far easier to grow and farm enough food to live on when your family and neighbors are willing to help out and trade produce.
You will want to procure some land that has fertile soil for growing fresh produce, and you might also want to farm some animals for milking and hens for eggs. It is no easy job to run a farm, even a small self-sustaining farm, so the more help you have, the better. Community and self-sufficiency go hand-in-hand.
Reconnecting With the Earth
Last but not least, we should address the importance of reconnecting to the earth with your body, mind, and soul. If you are sustaining yourself and living off the earth, you will develop a deeper connection to the soil and our planet as a living thing. This will encourage you to ground yourself and appreciate the land in a deeper way.
The average person these days is over-exposed to the artificial blue light and buzz of technology, as well as the intense social and economic pressures of everyday life and work. When you take a step back from all of that and appreciate the earth, you will find that your head clears, your soul feels lighter, and your body feels energized and nourished.
As you can see, living off the grid could be the perfect solution for you if you feel bogged down by the day-to-day life of corporate work, capitalistic pressures, and technology. Self-sufficiency and freedom from the dependency on public utilities can free you from the burdens of daily life.
Some of the benefits of living off the grid include the peace and exposure to fresh air and the feeling of fulfillment of being able to sustain yourself and your community. Of course, as with every way of life, there are some disadvantages of living off the grid, including the isolation and the extra work associated with self-sufficiency. Self-sustainable farming is a very rewarding and eco-friendly thing to do, but it is hard work – especially in winter. Finally, we have discussed reconnecting with the earth and how beneficial this can be for the body, mind, and soul.
