An honest confession

This is how I've been feeling lately, to be quite frank I feel like a caveman born in the 20th century. Such a weird feeling I know I am dissatisfied with virtually every aspect of modern life. Although I'm a uni student I feel that I'm far better off living the simple life perhaps living in the country will be the closest thing that will be like living like a caveman. I also feel like a prisoner in the modern world, watching videos of tribal people make my feelings worse. Do any of you guys on here feel this way.

 

Work hard at university and learn all you can about as much as you can, and when you graduate never stop learning. The first rule about learning is to question - not just ask questions, but question what you are being told. What you're being told may sound very hip and right on, but what are the motives of the writer or speaker? Of course I understand the way you feel. Now take advantage of your opportunities and learn to articulate your feelings and mental exploration. First read the books, get the degree(s) and equip yourself to do the do. You won't regret it. Take time out to be with nature, of course, but remember the 'simple' life isn't that simple and it certainly isn't easy. May your life be blessed and rich.

 

Neither is the modern world simple

 

Of course not, but it enables us to communicate quickly about all this stuff over vast distances. ; ) Balance is the key. We're all learning - and there is a great deal to learn. As Shakespeare said - in the wild wood (the natural world) one can find: "tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones and good in everything". But without university you won't be able to quote such things from memory and understand them in context. Study - perhaps do a research degree in anthropology/tribal peoples or ecology and give your dream some practicality and meaning going forwards.

 

There are some people out there like you.
Some go and never come back, some go only for a period of time, some change their mind and some spend their whole life wishing they have done it.

After you graduate, go live in a cabin in woods for a year. And then make decision what do you want to do next.

I thought that I'm over it, but with spring coming my call of the wild is growing every day...

Wish I could go for a year on a desert island by myself...


And there is an option to actually join a tribes. As long as you will learn the language and that they will accept you.

 

I rarely feel like this happily but I can relate, yes :2thumbsup: I just think I thrive best by having some balance in between. Find my own way between traditional and modern life. As (perhaps obviously) should everyone I guess

 

The closest thing I can come up with making me feel better about things is that I do gardening so that I connect with nature. The idea of living in a cabin in the woods sounds awesome. I've learnt about traditional fire making techniques although I've never succeeded when I tried but I'm too busy to practice it.

 

I sympathize with your feelings and I don't blame you at all for feeling dissatisfied with modern civilization.

But Glastonbury speaks some wise words. It is very, very close to impossible to forsake this life and be the caveman you dream of. Actual "cavemen" in the Stone Age could do it because they had a tribal group that allowed them to share the huge amount of work involved. They also had somewhere to be cavemen. You'd have a difficult time finding such a place today.

Living in a cabin in the woods is not a bad idea, but I assume you still have to support yourself. You not only have to eat but you also need tools and fuel and medical supplies and all manner of things. So you have compromise, in whatever way makes the best sense for you.

 

I'm well aware of the stuff you're telling me. I know someone spent a lot of time in the bush and had the luxury of traveling in a truck. Too bad about the North American indians and Australian aboriginals feeling the same way and seeing that because things have changed they can't live their traditional way of life like they used to. I suppose learning all about the edible flora and fauna would be a very good start and will help in being self reliant and traditional medicines will be helpful if you know what they are.
Lets for arguments sake say that the North American indians for example relearnt all their survival skills and all got together that still wouldn't be enough because of environmental issues such as habitat fragmentation and traditional hunting may not be sustainable anymore. I don't mean to write an essay.

 

When I was quite young, I actually spent a short time in the wild (thought I was survivalist). It was hard. If you are determined, maybe after finishing school, take some time and give it a try.

 

Well you need to prepare for it. Educate urself about a few things, fire making (no matches), edible plants and what not to eat. Also plan how you would make ur shelter. Becareful of potential dangers and how to deal with them like snakes or wild animals. Remember that natives have lived on the land long enough to know whats best.

 

a cabin in the woods sounds idealic

until you remember that you will be shitting nd pissing into a hole in a board inside a smaller cabin in the woods

of course you can compost...its pretty disgusting

you wil spend thousands on hauing in wood or spend weeks gathering wood for winter....takes an hour to chop enough wood for 4 hours

if your cabin is by a stream great....spend more time hauling water back and forth....

takes several hours to properly wash clothing by hand

electicity..you gonna go with out?...easier said then done

every daywil be filled with chores...any day skipped wil mean harder work the next day

and we havnt talked about the cost of a cabin in the woods....they arent free

if living like a caveman or even a pioneer was fun and fullfiling we wouldall still be doin it

 

Well I should have known about it cost money what a dill I am. Yeah good point about the caveman/pioneer thing. But its good getting ideas flowing I could call this a philosophical debate.

 

I think it depends on how "settled" and "civilized" you want to be. There was a young man who came through the area where I live a few years ago who lived completely free. He basically backpacked through life. He still needed a certain amount of money for supplies and equipment maintenance, but he depended on no one but himself.

Some would call him "homeless", and in a sense that's true, but he was healthy and free and he certainly seemed happy enough. I'm not sure how he managed to get across the desert in the summertime (hitchhiked, most likely), but he had come all the way from the Midwest to Arizona on foot, over a period of about a year.

I don't think this is exactly what you have in mind, but it might be a way to test your skills and resourcefulness without having to burn any bridges.

 

The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence. Most people are in conflict with life...the primary functions they find they are naturally driven to live by for the immediate circumstances of existence, family, living location, social contacts, financial status, etc, and the other life they desire that are driven by fantasizing, media/peer/institutional influences, ideological development. A lot of people usually find that they are able to come up with a mixture of the two, with immediate circumstances taking up the heavier side of the scale due to the fact that life is a constant struggle to exist. That's why we appreciate the time when we can slip over to our fantasy side whenever possible. Certainly this makes the fantasy side a greater attraction, but the real world is where we need to live because it feeds, clothes and houses us. Yes, people will say that they are able to live their lives at a 'tribal' level like you want, but be prepared to accept (maybe longer than you would desire) what that life style provides, and remember, it's always easy to get into some situations, but a bugger to get out! When you're in competition with 6.5 billion others on this planet, advantages are just that, an advantage! I promote balancing your two selves: the provider and the dreamer. Adjust as necessary. Good luck!

 

At Naco Kid, nudist feel a similar way about not wearing clothes. They fantasise a clothes free world. Some lucky tribal people are able to do that e.g. korubo people of South America.

 

I understand. That's pretty much what I am however, i am not dissapointed by the modern world, with a brain and so called intellect the human race is gifted with, it had to happen.
However, don't drop out, educate yourself, if only for the sake of some testimonial degree and pursue something to do with nature...you could get into horticulture..or get into adventure sports like hiking..that's something that requires non-modern primitive skills..
Besides, somebody said, Career is a 20th century invention and I don't want one so focus on your life and happiness not career or disappointment in world.

 

I've always felt this way, it's stress ... my case, I just left to the desert, alone in a small house of my own with my weed trees and the hookahs, if they're too demanding I'd rather leave.

 

I feel that if I don't succeed with pursuing my career I'll just say "Oh well it was more about the journey not the destination".

 

Take yourself off somewhere,maybe camping for a few days. Empty your mind & relax,certainly do not think of all the things you know piss you off. Focus unstead purely on your surroundings generally at first then going into every detail,try to notice everything around you,no thinking of past or future, just the NOW,this moment. You're not aiming to do anything,you just 'BE' for awhile.

When you feel ready,take piece of paper & pen & think thru the things that have been pissing you off about the world,one at a time, in each case right those things down,describing each time as accurately as you can what 'it' actually is that bugs you about each issue. Don't try to analyse or judge,thats for later. Make your account brief but to the point in each case. Then go for a walk ,or anything,but forget your problems & just 'BE' as before,in that 'now'.

When you get back examine what you've written. Look for similarities in how you percieve different issues,look for patterns,where your experiences are repeated,maybe you spot 'echos' of experiences from your past. There maybe similarities between separate circumstances you can learn from. Whatever you decide to do theres stuff you've been going through that could give you valuable lessons. maybe reveal a truer path. All the Best to you Friend.