Difference between revisions of "Drop out of Society"
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For many, life within society feels restrictive and unappealing. Your freedoms are limited, and living on your own in a remote location, far from the city and mass civilization, may start to sound liberating. However, the decision to go off the grid and live apart from society is not one to make lightly. In order to make this vision a reality, you’ll need to plan your location and lifestyle ahead of time, and learn to provide for yourself in the wilderness. | For many, life within society feels restrictive and unappealing. Your freedoms are limited, and living on your own in a remote location, far from the city and mass civilization, may start to sound liberating. However, the decision to go off the grid and live apart from society is not one to make lightly. In order to make this vision a reality, you’ll need to plan your location and lifestyle ahead of time, and learn to provide for yourself in the wilderness. | ||
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
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#* If your job is unfulfilling or meaningless, consider quitting and trying to find more fulfilling work before you drop out of society. | #* If your job is unfulfilling or meaningless, consider quitting and trying to find more fulfilling work before you drop out of society. | ||
#* If you’d like to spend more time in nature, you don’t necessarily need to drop out of society. If you can take time off from your job, take a month and go backpacking and hiking, and see if that resolves your need to be away from civilization for a time. | #* If you’d like to spend more time in nature, you don’t necessarily need to drop out of society. If you can take time off from your job, take a month and go backpacking and hiking, and see if that resolves your need to be away from civilization for a time. | ||
| − | #“Drop out” for a month or a season to try it out. Before you quit your job and pack up to live in the woods for good, do it for a trial period. This will give you time and experience to evaluate if this is really the right decision.<ref>http://blog.jackmtn.com/how-to-live-in-the-woods-for-a-season-or-two-legally/</ref> | + | #“Drop out” for a month or a season to try it out. Before you quit your job and pack up to live in the woods for good, do it for a trial period. This will give you time and experience to evaluate if this is really the right decision.<ref name="rf1">http://blog.jackmtn.com/how-to-live-in-the-woods-for-a-season-or-two-legally/</ref> |
| − | #* For example, if you’d like to drop out of society and live in the woods, find a place where you can legally live for a season, such as the North Maine Woods.<ref | + | #* For example, if you’d like to drop out of society and live in the woods, find a place where you can legally live for a season, such as the North Maine Woods.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* Take supplies with you: fishing and camping supplies, dried food, and a canoe. Try to live as if you had retreated from society, with as little interpersonal contact as you desire. | #* Take supplies with you: fishing and camping supplies, dried food, and a canoe. Try to live as if you had retreated from society, with as little interpersonal contact as you desire. | ||
| − | #Think about money. If you’re living in a remote area without a job or income, you’ll soon run out of money. You’ll need to sustain yourself off the land, and what you can hunt, grow, and build yourself.<ref>http://survival-mastery.com/basics/how-to-live-off-the-grid.html</ref> This lifestyle is off-putting to many people, due to the difficulty of having to provide everything for yourself. | + | #Think about money. If you’re living in a remote area without a job or income, you’ll soon run out of money. You’ll need to sustain yourself off the land, and what you can hunt, grow, and build yourself.<ref name="rf2">http://survival-mastery.com/basics/how-to-live-off-the-grid.html</ref> This lifestyle is off-putting to many people, due to the difficulty of having to provide everything for yourself. |
#* Alternately, you may be able to generate a small income even while living off the grid. For example, you could find ways to profit through selling meat, vegetables, and canned goods. | #* Alternately, you may be able to generate a small income even while living off the grid. For example, you could find ways to profit through selling meat, vegetables, and canned goods. | ||
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#Choose a location. You’re not going to be able to drop out of society in a place like the city, so do some planning and figure out where you’re going to go. Go somewhere with a low population and a ready food source—whether fertile ground that can be planted with a garden, or a nearby stream to catch fish in. | #Choose a location. You’re not going to be able to drop out of society in a place like the city, so do some planning and figure out where you’re going to go. Go somewhere with a low population and a ready food source—whether fertile ground that can be planted with a garden, or a nearby stream to catch fish in. | ||
#* Large amounts of vegetation and animal population are good indicators of a natural environment that can support life. | #* Large amounts of vegetation and animal population are good indicators of a natural environment that can support life. | ||
| − | #* Make sure that you have a constant and nearby water source. This could be a river or stream, a natural spring, or a lake. <ref | + | #* Make sure that you have a constant and nearby water source. This could be a river or stream, a natural spring, or a lake. <ref name="rf2" /> Water is the most important element for survival, and you’ll need to use it on a daily basis, so make sure the water is clean and plentiful. |
#* Research the types of wildlife that you can expect in whatever location you choose to live in. For example, if you’re in a forest, are you likely to encounter bears? | #* Research the types of wildlife that you can expect in whatever location you choose to live in. For example, if you’re in a forest, are you likely to encounter bears? | ||
| − | #Learn some survival skills. It’s important to know how to survive outside of society before you drop out, especially if you’re going to be living in a harsh or remote area. Start by learning how to use basic weapons and tools: a knife, and a shovel, rake, and hoe.<ref>http://www.naturallivingideas.com/21-tips-for-living-off-grid/</ref> | + | #Learn some survival skills. It’s important to know how to survive outside of society before you drop out, especially if you’re going to be living in a harsh or remote area. Start by learning how to use basic weapons and tools: a knife, and a shovel, rake, and hoe.<ref name="rf3">http://www.naturallivingideas.com/21-tips-for-living-off-grid/</ref> |
| − | #* You’ll likely need to make serious changes to your diet. Living remotely, you’ll need to sustain yourself, and this can be done through eating animal proteins and foraging, or growing vegetables in a small garden.<ref | + | #* You’ll likely need to make serious changes to your diet. Living remotely, you’ll need to sustain yourself, and this can be done through eating animal proteins and foraging, or growing vegetables in a small garden.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#* You should also look into learning how to preserve (dry or pickle) meat and vegetables, so you will have enough food to survive during winter months. | #* You should also look into learning how to preserve (dry or pickle) meat and vegetables, so you will have enough food to survive during winter months. | ||
| − | #Learn how to build a shelter. Unless you’re planning to live in an already-existing “off the grid” house or rent a cabin, you’ll likely need to build your own housing. You can either purchase construction materials before you leave society, or use natural materials (trees, etc.) found in the woods.<ref | + | #Learn how to build a shelter. Unless you’re planning to live in an already-existing “off the grid” house or rent a cabin, you’ll likely need to build your own housing. You can either purchase construction materials before you leave society, or use natural materials (trees, etc.) found in the woods.<ref name="rf3" /> |
| − | #* Consider that your accommodation will also need to be repaired and renovated from time to time. You’ll need to have money saved up to invest in these expenses.<ref | + | #* Consider that your accommodation will also need to be repaired and renovated from time to time. You’ll need to have money saved up to invest in these expenses.<ref name="rf2" /> |
| − | #* You should also have a plan in place for finding land to live on. The most legal method is to find a cheap, remote plot of land and purchase it.<ref | + | #* You should also have a plan in place for finding land to live on. The most legal method is to find a cheap, remote plot of land and purchase it.<ref name="rf3" /> If you would prefer not to own land, or plan to move around frequently, you may find yourself living illegally on National Forest or private property. |
===Living Away from Society=== | ===Living Away from Society=== | ||
#Make an exit plan that minimizes expense and luggage. Use cash to take public transportation out to the wilderness if you don’t want to own and maintain a car. You’ll want to have your “off the grid” living situation set up before you leave, so that you’re not carrying luggage or construction supplies when you leave. | #Make an exit plan that minimizes expense and luggage. Use cash to take public transportation out to the wilderness if you don’t want to own and maintain a car. You’ll want to have your “off the grid” living situation set up before you leave, so that you’re not carrying luggage or construction supplies when you leave. | ||
#* Don’t burn your bridges when you leave. Notify family and close friends where you’ll be, quit your job, and end your apartment lease. | #* Don’t burn your bridges when you leave. Notify family and close friends where you’ll be, quit your job, and end your apartment lease. | ||
| − | #Decide if you can do without electricity. Living without electricity is one of the most challenging aspects of dropping out of society. However, if you have a large enough wilderness abode and you decide that you’d like to have a source of energy, you can purchase a small generator. Remote houses also often have solar panels, or devices to harness wind or water energy.<ref | + | #Decide if you can do without electricity. Living without electricity is one of the most challenging aspects of dropping out of society. However, if you have a large enough wilderness abode and you decide that you’d like to have a source of energy, you can purchase a small generator. Remote houses also often have solar panels, or devices to harness wind or water energy.<ref name="rf2" /> |
| − | #* If you decide to live without a generator or other means of electricity, plan to rise when the sun does and go to bed when it sets.<ref | + | #* If you decide to live without a generator or other means of electricity, plan to rise when the sun does and go to bed when it sets.<ref name="rf2" /> |
#* Without electricity, you’ll need to cook using only fire, or plan to eat the majority of your food (especially vegetables) raw. | #* Without electricity, you’ll need to cook using only fire, or plan to eat the majority of your food (especially vegetables) raw. | ||
| − | #Have a plan for sanitation. Some individuals who live off the grid opt to use a bucket as a bathroom, or to dig a latrine in the woods.<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/patrick-j-kiger/off-the-grid-life-below-zero_b_5027563.html</ref> Waste should always be kept far from food, and downhill from living quarters. | + | #Have a plan for sanitation. Some individuals who live off the grid opt to use a bucket as a bathroom, or to dig a latrine in the woods.<ref name="rf4">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/patrick-j-kiger/off-the-grid-life-below-zero_b_5027563.html</ref> Waste should always be kept far from food, and downhill from living quarters. |
#* Depending on your budget, you could purchase a composting toilet (which turns waste into compost) for around $1,000 at Amazon or a large hardware store. | #* Depending on your budget, you could purchase a composting toilet (which turns waste into compost) for around $1,000 at Amazon or a large hardware store. | ||
#* Sanitation also includes water purification, as drinking unclean water can lead to giardia infection or other, more serious, health problems. Always boil water before drinking it, or purchase sanitation tablets or a sanitizing water-strainer. | #* Sanitation also includes water purification, as drinking unclean water can lead to giardia infection or other, more serious, health problems. Always boil water before drinking it, or purchase sanitation tablets or a sanitizing water-strainer. | ||
| − | #Bring a satellite phone. Even if you’re living completely “off the grid” and away from human contact, you’ll still need a way to communicate in dire situations. If you spend a year and a half in the wild and decide you don’t want to spend an indefinite amount of time there, you might want to call and ask for help getting out of your current location.<ref | + | #Bring a satellite phone. Even if you’re living completely “off the grid” and away from human contact, you’ll still need a way to communicate in dire situations. If you spend a year and a half in the wild and decide you don’t want to spend an indefinite amount of time there, you might want to call and ask for help getting out of your current location.<ref name="rf2" /> |
#* Additionally, if a medical emergency arises, you might need society to help you and help you quickly. | #* Additionally, if a medical emergency arises, you might need society to help you and help you quickly. | ||
#* Even on your training trips, bring your satellite phone. You might get in a dangerous situation more quickly than you think. | #* Even on your training trips, bring your satellite phone. You might get in a dangerous situation more quickly than you think. | ||
