Hello everybody, this is actually my first post in this forum, but I have been really thinking lately...I dont want a 'normal' life/ I couldnt stand working a 9-5 job everyday until my late life, and I believe a lot of people here agree with me and lead an alternative life. So I thought this would be a good place to ask. How would I lead a life without going past college? I mean...it's a weird question, and I may be out of line asking it, and I am not even sure if it makes sense, but any help would be deeply appreciated. Edit: A way to clear this up a bit-. There are people who just live on the land going to festivals and camps around America. Do they have plenty of gas/food money saved? Do they jsut eat on the land and walk to where they want?
I'm planning to move to British Columbia to start a commune with my friend. I haven't fully developed the idea, but we'll make our own shelters, grow our own food, purify our own water, and make our own clothes. That takes care of our needs. It might not even be a commune, but I want a way of life where I'm living in tune with nature. I could never work a 9-5 job. There's lots of room in B.C...I just hope the authorities don't find us, because of how all land is owned, plus our other growing activities...
I haven't worked 9-5 in 30 or more years, and once you get past the feelings of "what will become of me ?" (cultural indoctrination), and just accept the inevitable ups and downs of an alternative lifestyle, you will find that ends will be met, easier than you anticipated. Becoming very simple really helps because those who can live with less money, don't need to work so much. Makes sense ! My partner and I lived in cabin tents in the woods nearby a medium size city, and paid no rent or utilities for 15 years. We did odd jobs, and scavenged anything we needed for free, or next to nothing. We even had five children during that time, and managed to feed and clothe them ( odd jobs, food banks, missions, vouchers, dumpster diving, etc.). We worked hard, but it was more directly connected to our daily living, so that it was joyful work. We picked apples, worked in organic orchards, and gardens, fed horses and cows on a cattle ranch, lived in several intentional communities that we located in the Communities Directory (online too), and have been caretakers for others properties. I now make hats and sell them in a nearby town. It is always good to have a craft that you can sell or trade wherever you go. Most people will help with your needs , if you have something they can use too. It is an open ended journey, always exciting, very unpredictable, and definitely a Hippie Alternative lifestyle, and a very desirable alternative to the 9-5 life. I have really had a full life so far, of doing my own thing, with lots of leisure time, little pressure from anything or anyone, and feel healthy, happy, and holy. Hope you find what you are looking for.!!!
Just do what you love and the rest will come. That is what my mom says. She's a big believer in following your dreams and doing what you are passionate about.
My dream is to live on the road...I don't know how I'd make money for gas and stuff though. Do what you love and what you feel is right. I once heard someone say in a film: You do what you love and f**k the rest. I think it's very true. Peace
its almost impossible to not work for long periods of time and survive. youd probably just have to work a random job every once and a while to save up some cash that you can live on for a while. or you could make something and sell it. you also have to try to get all the free stuff you can by dumpster diving and going to charity places but nott by stealing. you should read on the road by jack kerouac--youd probably like it, and steal this book by abbie hoffman may also help you. hope i helped, peaace man
Yeah, I feel for you. I'm gonna finish high school and probably go to college. But my family wants me to be a pharmacist or an optometrist and I really don't feel that that's my thing. I wanna go to Naropa University in Boulder, home of the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics and founded by a major figure of my religion H.H. Chogyam Trungpa. And after that I wanna live on the road, or maybe become part of a commune, I really feel drawn back to my Rroma(Gypsy) roots.
Wow! this really helped me a lot, its like, I can see my life in a third person view, but everything is blurred so I cant make it out. your responses sharpened the image a little bit, and thank you to everyone who took time out to answer. lol yeah i completely forgot about dumpster diving, its a fabulous thing, all I need now is a craft to master for a little bit of change in my pocket...hmmm Google
i was planning to live my live like that for awhile.. but then i realized its impossible to live that way.. looks like ill have to be satisfied with a pseudo-hippyfied middle class life....
well i think from what ive heard that its not impossible, its just difficult to adjust to. But i sort of agree with you, im most likely going to do good in college and stay out of trouble so ill have something to fall back on if it doesnt work out. if anything, ill just try really hard in school and get a job that doesnt take too much out of me
You should look into getting a car with a deisel engine. With a few minor adjustments, a diesel car can be made to run on just about anything, most commonly vegetable oil. Then, you can stop at fast-food chains and ask the manager if you could have the leftover vegetable oil their just gonna throw out when the fries are done. Better than supporting the oil machine.
That is a fantastic idea (about car fuel) but after reading you post what came to mind is that fuel companies might already have agreements with for example fast food chains where the oil is sold directly to them and not thrown away anymore.
I wouldn't put it past them, but I know I guy here in SF who's a massage therapist and he trades massages with a fast-food manager in exchange for free veggie oil for his car. Even if you couldn't get it at fast food places, I'm sure buying it in bulk from costco couldn't be that expensive.
