Wanting back to the "simple" life. Anyone else?

I am 57, a retired RN who has lived alone for over 5 years. I bought a home 2 yrs ago, in CA and am sick of all the noise, rudeness, masses of Spanish speaking people who don't seem to want to learn English, people trying to one-up each other, just the total rat race. I am selling my home and plan to buy a very small cottage somewhere in the woods, in a state other than CA. I don't want a television, close neighbors or loud noises. I don't NEED all the crap I have accumulated and I sick of not having diddly squat left after paying the mortgage, car payment, etc. I plan to pay all my debts off and buy a really cheap "shack". I have my dogs and cats and that is enough to keep me busy. I want to have a nice garden, a waterfall for meditation and just finish my life out as peacefully as possible.

Anyone else feel like this?

 

Geez i'd invite you to join us in hermitage hollow - but damn - that's in N.Y. (S.W. Finger lakes region) - have 175 a., mostly wooded, mostly hillsides and a 1/2 a. pond with about a 35' drop ....there's your potential waterfall - course also water power
But nothing has been done yet - just clean up and some gardening .... hoping eventuelly for people of likemind as it has always vibrated as community....but with all that work, shit, guess you are just too old huh ? course then I'm 58 and offer myself no excuses ceptin to say i move slow - but that's also because it's that time - almost in the Change so that too will change and of a sudden it will all be different.
Life IS

yah go for it - be the change you want to be

Blessings Be yours on your journey
May you find that cottage

Namaste

 

I know exactly how you feel...and gave up all the stuff I had and made the transistion over 10 years ago.....I am verry content now .

 

Uh... Hey... O Sage of the Finger Lakes... Namaste, my friend, ya know, I think I have a likemind and I'm familiar with the work .... HMmmm ... How far are you from Pittsburgh?***
Before or after Haiti, I'll be going there this summer. Oldest son moving there tomorrow!

Peacefulcave,
As someone who has "been there and done that", let me say, in this old hippie's opinion, it's even better than you may imagine. Of course, we're all different, but you may be starting on a path that leads to peace, happyness, ... Oh, lots of good things. And based on my experience, getting rid of debt is a key (maybe THE key) to living a simpler life. The less time you spend chasing dollars that ends up in someone elses bank account anyhow, the more time you have to do what ever you want.... read, write, garden, help others, garden, watch the world spin... whatever.
When you stop needing to make money, you'll have what all the money can't buy - time.

Peace,
poor_old_dad

***PS: If it helps, Mapquest says that Pittsburgh to Watkins Glen is 291 miles & 5 hour 23 minutes....

 

Love all your replies. Nope, Old Wolf, I am NOT too old to do most anything. I work like a horse....well, maybe a mule. I take care of my place, my yards, my car, my animals, repairs (the ones I can figure out). I am no sissy. I spent time in the military and raised 3 kids. I'm pretty tough. Should have been born in the pioneer days!

Erzebet, good for you. At least you didn't wait until you were old to do it.

Poor Old Dad, I imagine how great it is going to be. I continue to sort through, get rid of and pack my "stuff" to prepare for this move. How about some prayers/good thoughts about someone buying this house?!

Peacefulcave

 

as you can tell by my signature - I consider myself related to the horse and mule - but a bit more like a cantankerous jackass.
i must admit to saying that to get a rise out of you
So many think that retirement or the change after the nest empties is sit back time --m naw just the opposite - time to get moving - get on to them dreams make them come true - how much more time are we going to waste ...our major excuse 9family0 is now gone so what are we going to put on the sacrificial altar to keep us from being true to self and following that vision each and everyone of us gets a unique vision of what is theirs - changes as do we but - it's what we came here for
Course this society does not teach us to listen much less pay attention and god forbid we should try to make it come true

Rant rant rant
hey one hermit to another - welcome aboard

Heye POD about 1/2 hr. N of Corning & 30 miles W of Keuka Lake - you be welcome

Peace and blessings

Namaste

 

Thanks for the post OldWolf. Yep, I am, in no way, gathering moss! Everyone asks how I can move out of state with my children here. Well heck fleck, I'm trying to live my life. Why stay here for those twice a year visits?! LOL

Are you saying Corning, as in N. CA? No way can I afford up there. I intend to pay everything off and just get a cheapie somewhere in a cheapie state, but thanks!

Hugs,

Karen
peacefulcave@yahoo.com

 

OOPS, never mind....I see you are from NY, NOT CA! Well, good for you! Probably beautiful there.

Karen

 

Warm or cool climate?

 

It was 1977, when I gave away everything I had accumulated for 25 years, and moved to Oregon, where I continued to simplify, and on several occasions, had only a small handbag and backpack as my only possessions. I started living simply, and have continued through the years to put my peace and happiness before my need or desire for money. I buy everything second hand if possible, and have lived in alternative housing for 30 years or more.(tents, shacks, school bus, etc.) I have never had a credit card, nor any bills,(cash for everything), and have only worked at odd jobs, orchards, gardens, and marketing crafts. I live in a rural, peaceful setting, and am enjoying my life as much as humanly possible.
There is no way I would trade my life of ease and leisure for one of constant anxiety about bill payments, and mortgages, and interest loans. I feel sorry for those who get in a rut, and feel they are in too deep to climb out. I hope you make your dream come true, it is a noble goal, and a new lifestyle that I am sure you will be glad you were smart enough to make.

 

Hi,

I dropped out of crap-world years ago. I bought an old house just out of bush town.I might have to move back into town when I get abit older, but not just now thank you very much!
I could very diplomatically call the locals out here "conservative" but I take care not to stir them up and we get along fine... well, it's better to be refered to as an "eccentric old bloke" than a "fucken greenie, hippie wierdo"
I have the odd health prob. & am not as strong as a scrub bull, but there is usually some guy who is happy to do a bit of chainsaw work etc. for a reasonable price.
I have watched a few friends go down the "co-operative" path to disaster.Don't go there! Do it by yourself, and if you need a hand with heavy jobs,PAY someone to do it for you.
Good luck,
Gaz.

 

I sure am hoping to get simple. I love the thought of visiting friends around the country in a Bus with a Bed and place to store my food. I guess the time is now to start this plan.

 

a.b.e., what you said is beautiful.
i think it's great that you all want to do this. i'm 22, and am young and somewhat strong, and my energies right now are focused on dull things like making money, accumulating savings, etc. i've always been of the mindset that i should get it all out of my system now and then work when i'm older, but now i see that having it in my system throughout all my life is not such a bad thing.

 

people are no longer satisfied with simple things.they want a large house,a big car,...and then work the rest of their life to pay everything off!

 

grrrrrr... i so much agree with you... what's wrong with people that they don't want to learn english?

 

Do what a lot of Californians have done, move to Colorado! I live in a small country town, been here 10yrs already! Couldn't be happier!






Bustramp

 

Well Peacefulcave,


I wish you all the luck in the world. I don't know where you'd go, but I do hope that you find what you're looking for. Heaven knows, we can all stand for a little peace and quiet.


LOL

 

I have a steady girlfirend that wants children
makes things less simple right there

 

Ever thought about Washington state? We made the change about 4 yrs ago from San Diego. We now live in a very rural and wooded area about 30 mins from Seattle. We love it! Horses, pigs, chickens, and 20 ac. of woods. It's heaven! Everyone should be so lucky and happy.

 

Man I feel ya ... all I dream about is a simple life ... Living with a bunch of cool people in the middle of the woods with nature , growing food, writting storys and reading them to eatchother, camping out , camp fires , Drum circles, making music ,making jewlary, enjoying life and having a good time ... I know I am young but Iam beggining a new stage of my life by graduating and going out on my own etc And honestly I DONT want the appartment with loud neighbors and busy noises streets and being stressed out about everything ... I just want a simple layed back life. I totally understand were you are comming from peaceful cave and hopefully we all will fufill are dreams and live the way we all want.