The Middle Age Perspective of a Minimalist Lifestyle
Me: Maybe once the kids are out on their own we can live off the grid.
Husband: In seclusion?!
Me: Uh, I said off the grid meaning 100% sustainable, not out in the middle of nothing with no one.
We made the decision to move to Iowa. It was a dope ass plan. The city is cool, don’t get me wrong. I lived in the city my entire life. My kids, born and raised in the city. The city is filled with action, thrill and conveniences. Oh, and homicides.
Since moving to a tiny rural community our family has been working toward a self- sustaining household. We’ve come across some hitches, and I was bitter and frustrated when I was out voted 3–1 for raising live stock.
A great deal of good has come from this mindset, though. We’ve discovered the less we have and the less resources we consume the more work it is for us.
We’re okay with this for now, anyway. We’re learning and transitioning over the course of time. It’s certainly reduced the initial shock and impact, and got us in the groove of a thinking outside of the box and utilizing resources we already have, but some day I may be too old and tired and won’t give a shit.
The younger generation threatens to revolt when I suggest canceling our internet service. Oh my God, mom! How could you? Because internet is life.
While researching self-sustaining households and homesteads, one popular subject drowning out actual science is minimalism. I find this topic to be intriguing. Not for enjoyment or from envy of course but more like, what are these people thinking?
I’m not judging by any means. It’s probably just not the lifestyle for me. I’m baffled and I’m trying to understand. I’ve read articles and blog posts written by people who have gotten rid of everything they own, vacated their apartments, and how they fit the remains of their life in a backpack and wander from town to town. These articles have been somewhat helpful in learning the basics of the minimalist lifestyle, but I still have so many questions, such as:
Do you consider yourself homeless? I mean, technically you’re homeless.
When was the last time you had a proper meal?
How do you make enough money to keep up this lifestyle? For real, while you’re eating out all the time and traveling around? Come on now, let’s be real. You may be taking living in the moment a bit too literally.
Hmm, you still have that cell phone and laptop? Interesting. Oh, you need that because you’re a writer, content creator, influencer and/or addicted to IGTV? Digital nomad? Oh, what fun! What does that mean, anyway?
You feel liberated and free? That’s great. So do I. It’s liberating to have a home of my own, that I own.
I need the house. I definitely need the safety and security of a home base. It’s like a little village in itself where I can do whatever I want including close a door and go to sleep in privacy. Now, would I care if the house were empty? Probably not. It’s the structure I need, not the possessions.
When I was in my twenties (twenty years ago) life was about how much money you made and buying tons of crap you didn’t need in order to climb to the top of the social status ladder. When did the standard norm become the opposite?
Now it’s tiny one room houses where the kitchen area doubles as a bathroom (totally unsanitary), or having no home at all and living out of a backpack.
I just don’t get it.
Maybe it’s my age or because I’m hardheaded but I’ll stick with the house, kitchen brewed coffee and the every day mundane walk to the public library. Oh, and quick weekend getaways. I’ve never been one for trends, anyway.
