Have you dreamed of escaping the rat race and becoming self-sufficient or just wishing you didn’t have to rely on society? We do tend to look at people who have done this as bohemians, new age eco-warriors and, dare I say, even weirdos. But essentially, it is just a lifestyle choice. Going off the grid means paring your life down to the essentials, living a life that is something more basic – and ultimately more fulfilling – than the norm society has fostered. People who do this claim numerous benefits to living off the grid and you don’t have to retreat to a shack in the back woods or a clod-roofed cottage sunken into the earth to achieve them.
The human lifespan may be greater than that of a mouse, but there's still never enough time to cram in all the fun, the loving, the excitement and adventure we crave. If you asked around your hometown, most people would tell you the one thing they'd like to have more of is TIME – which you can have, if you waste less of it. Stop wasting time in traffic jams. Don't waste any more time with social media twittering. LIVE instead of texting about it! Simplifying your life means cutting out time wastage and enjoying quality time that will allow you to daydream, re-invent or re-discover the person you'd like to be and do the things you actually enjoy doing. You'll have more energy, feel less tired and be more open to new experiences. If those aren't reasons to live off the grid, what are?
Enjoying the simple things in life, the scent of a rose in bloom as we walk past or the sound of a bird singing outside of our window, can help us shut out clutter we have accumulated around us. We can concentrate on what's real and important. A better appreciation of nature puts humans and their concerns – we're tiny specs in the universe – into perspective. A less-encumbered lifestyle allows us to see ahead more clearly and enjoy what we've got, rather than desire what we cannot have or cannot be.
Leonardo da Vinci is credited with asserting that "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Think Mona Lisa's enigmatic smile set against a blurred background of an unidentifiable Italian landscape and you'll know exactly what he means. Simplify your life and you'll start to notice beauty all around you. No, not the beauty of a designer shoe or handbag. Get up early to enjoy a sunset or stay up late and go hiking in a Dark Sky Reserve to see stars twinkle without light pollution spoiling their brightness. Be more dog! They know how to enjoy every day as it comes and find adventure under every pebble and grain of sand. Just watch that enigmatic smile spread all over your face when you rediscover that beauty is all around you.
Nobody regrets on their deathbed not having spent enough time at their laptop. Make more time for those you love – reconnect with friends in person, not via social media or mobile phone. Rediscover the fun of hanging out and having a laugh, of playing board games in the same room instead of video games in virtual environments. Sharing rhymes with caring!
Modern life is incredibly stressful – just being surrounded by people all day without a moment's peace can bring on anxiety attacks in some. Around 75% to 90% of visits to US primary-care physicians are prompted by stress-related complaints and, according to a Harvard University study, people exposed to high levels of stress were 4.5 times more likely to suffer cardiac arrest than people less stressed. Stress is also a major factor in mental health problems like depression, for example. Step out of the rat race and into a stress free environment by cutting out major sources of stress in your life. Reduce the number of appointments, stop commuting via a congested route, replace working overtime with a job that satisfies you AND pays your bills. Avoid purchases you cannot afford.
When we simplify our lives, we can focus better and get more done as a result. We can rediscover forgotten talents, develop new interests and hobbies, be more productive in areas that are important because we've eliminated distractions, time wastage and stress. Instead of shopping for art, try painting yourself. Don't hire a gardener, mow the lawn and do the weeding yourself. Doing things with your hands takes you out of your normal routine and away from purely intellectual (work-related) occupations. This will do wonders for your self-esteem and contentment.
A simplified lifestyle may appear to cost more in terms of sheer hard work at first, but over time you'll discover your new lifestyle costs far less. A frugal approach will save you money on many things, such as transportation, heating and air-conditioning, expensive clothes for work and trendy foods, subscribing to umpteen video games or TV channels. Cutting out things you pay to maintain will allow you to repay credit card or loan debt and cut out high interest charges that drain your bank account. Frugality now will enable you to have a great lifestyle later because no debt means you can start saving for early retirement and all the fun things you still want to do. Isn't that one of the greatest reasons to live off the grid?
It’s a gutsy decision to live off the grid and to eschew the norms of society. How far would you go?