Looking for a place in the trees

It may seem like a long post..but i'd thought id share
Ever since I was a little girl, I've always been fascinated with living off the land, and living with a loving , affection group of people. In my teens I was labelled "hippy" or "tree hugger" which was fine by me..i was usually the only one of my kind.
Last year i decided i would quit my job, sell all my belongings and hit the road in my purple '92 newyorker with my 2 beloved dogs looking for a better way of life.
Leaving from Calgary Alberta , i drove west to B.C. 11 hours on the road, and one ferry later i ended up at this retreat centre/ community that had welcomed me and my dogs. The plan was to work for room ( a caravan) and board (awesome vegetation meals) thought i had found bliss.

I soon realized it was not what i had expected. The land was beautiful,the food was beautiful the people there were amazing....except, for the couple who ran the community.
I must say, im not a small girl, Yes i have a weight problem, but im not lazy and can keep up with everyone working ( it just may take me a little longer to climb up the mountain)
The moment i met the founding couple, i immediately felt unwelcome. They were friendly but it wasn't genuine. i felt judged right off the bat.
I figured once they saw my work ethic that my weight would be a non issue. i was wrong. After a week of being there, i was pulled aside and told that i must lose weight. I explained that just me being there would cause me to drop the excess weight. i was told that i would have to check in once a week to let them know how much i was losing. This didn't seem right, but i justified it because i wanted to be apart of this community so badly. Things got progressively worse.i was told what i could and could not eat, and losing 2 pounds a week was not good enough. i had enough. had made some long lasting friendships with some beautiful people, but not having the 2 founders of the community not accept me as i was , and to deal with their constant abuse was too much.I packed up what little i brought, and my doggies and headed back to Calgary. i felt really discouraged. Got my old job back and a new apartment, new "stuff" and went back to my old way of life.
I guess I found my way here because I'm still looking for the "living in the bush" lifestyle. i wanna eat my breakfast off trees and bushes..grow my own food, live off the land,greet everyone with genuine hugs and have my Pets roam free. I'm actively looking

 

Welcome. :seeya:

I hope you won't find anyone judgmental here.

Big hug

Becky

 

Welcome to the show!

 

That definitely doesnt seem right. I am sorry you had to deal with that. Its a shame that people cannot see others for what is inside of them rather than their outward appearance. Needing to lose a few pounds is not a justifiable reason to treat anyone as an outsider. But, you live and you learn and maybe the next time you can research your commune a little further before jumping right in. That will give you a better idea of what you are getting yourself in to. I am sure there is a place out there for you and if not, I have seen many threads of others wishing to start their own independent living sites, maybe this is an option for you. You sound like you have the bravery to do it considering you through caution to the wind and packed it all in to follow your dream. Give yourself time to find the right fit.

 

Welcome, no judgement here!

 

Welcome