Why I Choose To Live Off-Grid

There's peace and tranquility in living a simple life close to nature. Escaping the modern lifestyle of highly populated areas has always been a dream of mine. Here are some reasons why I chose to live off-grid in the mountains.
#offgrid #prepping #homestead

[@greasymccheese1374]

You're doing it right, man.

[@AlasBabylon1]

So right about all the city noise causing damage and over-stimulation. The peace of so-called primitive living is divine and worth any difficulty. I love that you've said goodbye to the "news." 🧡

[@TheBackwoodsHermit]

@@AlasBabylon1 For sure. Once I realized that I was never going to change the world, it became clear that I needed to change the way I live within it.

[@lightofgodindarkness]

Thanks for sharing brother New friend here stay connected God bless you

[@FatGuyinaLittleWoods]

Very well said. People are fine, in moderation 😉

[@TheBackwoodsHermit]

@@FatGuyinaLittleWoods Yes. I find that I enjoy human contact more after spending some time away from them.

[@sandraavalos4786]

Very happy you have found your way. ❤️😊

[@TheBackwoodsHermit]

@@sandraavalos4786 I am as well ❤️

[@user-tn7hc4ww3j]

Nothing could be more rewarding to me than living an independent life not tied to the corporate world. When I find my oasis in the woods, I will use some of my FU money and design/build the most awesome solar system I can. If you are ever in town and find a used book store, look for any book by Edward Abbey, espescially "Desert Solitaire", I think you'll enjoy his writings. Do you have a shortwave radio ? Will come in very handy if things ever get 'spicey'.

[@TheBackwoodsHermit]

@@user-tn7hc4ww3j Thank you for the author recommendation. I enjoyed reading Henry David Thoreau and John Muir so he sounds similar. I hit used book stores fairly regularly and also order online from Thriftbooks so I'm sure I'll come across him at some point. I do not have a radio, but that's probably not a bad idea to look into. I hope you'll love your oasis in the woods as much as I love mine.

[@user-tn7hc4ww3j]

@@TheBackwoodsHermit Edward Abbey is known as "The Thoreau of The West" and if you like Muir and Thoreau, you'll love Abbey.

[@campsteffeshomestead]

Not watching news or social media is the best thing you can do for your mental health

[@TheBackwoodsHermit]

@@campsteffeshomestead Completely agree. Doing so has made me think much more clearly and make better decisions as I'm not being dragged along by current trends.

[@zombillaicecream1099]

I agree with all of that even if you don't live off grid I think a lot of people just live outside their means drastically you know the difference between a 100,000 house in a thousand dollar houses it's not that drastic but you always got to have a plan or know what to do like hunting that's why I'm trying to get books on those things to learn

[@TheBackwoodsHermit]

@@zombillaicecream1099 For sure. Living within one's means is a huge step and a major mental obstacle to overcome since we're indoctrinated by the media to spend more in the consumerism mindset. Agree completely with you on acquiring skills and having a plan. I'm a big believer in having a well stocked survival library and always reading books of that type.

[@TheQuietLife60]

I totally agree with you. There is so much noise pollution out there, even here in the woods where I live. When I try to record a nice peaceful video of the nature around me, some noise almost always interrupts (loud cars, a truck’s back up alarm, a siren, etc.). I don’t blame you for wanting to live the way you do. Population is increasing here in my area. If things do go bad in this area, some of us here are well prepared, but the new residents here will not survive it. Thank you for sharing, and take good care. ~ Kat (was KatInTheNorth).

[@TheBackwoodsHermit]

@@TheQuietLife60 It's always nice to hear from you, Kat. I like how relaxing your new videos are and I'm sure it's really annoying trying to record them with all of those noises. You take care as well.

[@TheQuietLife60]

@@TheBackwoodsHermit thank you, I appreciate that.

[@vernonland5987]

Great video and thanks!

[@TheBackwoodsHermit]

@@vernonland5987 Thank you for the idea.

[@JoGalas1]

I'm so jealous of your lifestyle!

[@TheBackwoodsHermit]

@@JoGalas1 There are some unique challenges to deal with when living out in the backwoods because everything in life is a trade-off, but the peace and quiet are certainly worth it for me. Happy to hear from you, Jo! Take care.

[@JoGalas1]

@@TheBackwoodsHermit Peace and quiet are the true luxury these days (for me definitely) you are very blessed ♥

[@MyKey1642]

Can you explain in one video how you get water, electric, refrigeration, food, etc...

[@TheBackwoodsHermit]

@@MyKey1642 Sure, I can do that.

[@erniescabin4256]

I agree the system today is not worth the effort, What are your plans for power? I found the cheapest and most efficient power is the grid, i have back up power but it is at least ten times the cost to run my electric bill is about 500 a year. even when things hit the fan i think the power grid will be the last thing to go down, i live pretty much the way you are but like you said it's nice to turn of a tap or plug in a fridge or just to turn on a light,, Over the many years living like this i came to hate batteries lol Take care and keep having fun

[@TheBackwoodsHermit]

@@erniescabin4256 I don't fault anyone for being grid tied. It's awesome having those luxuries available. This is just what I chose to do for myself. Using the solar generator has been fine for charging small devices and lights, but I will be putting in a more robust solar system as I complete the cabin build. Even if it could just run a fridge for me would be huge because getting ice for the cooler is getting old. For the power company to run lines this deep into my property would cost more than a photovoltaic system anyway.

[@erniescabin4256]

@@TheBackwoodsHermit understood i've been living in the bush 50plus years and still trying to figure out what way is best lol plans always seem to change which is part of the fun, you already have what a lot of people dream of a place in the bush and a dry comfortable place to sleep, What else do you really need lol

[@TheBackwoodsHermit]

@@erniescabin4256 I can see what you mean. Seems like all of my systems and ways of doing things are temporary until I figure out something better. Then those improved ways will probably need tweaking too. Maybe that is the whole point of this lifestyle?

[@Rachel.long1965]

The pandemic gave insight into the lunacy that would follow any disruption to 'normal' life

[@TheBackwoodsHermit]

@@Rachel.long1965 Completely agree with you. And on the grand scale of things, that was actually relatively minor in comparison to what could actually go down.

[@oaks.at.sunrise]

The illusion of "off-grid" ...with a youtube account and the use of an internet connection and probably a mobile contract. - Anyway, I still congratulate you for every detox-minute you get in and the fact you are not off-grid and share this lifestyle with others hopefully inspire others to put the devices aside sometimes and get some forrest time in. ❤😊 Stay safe.

[@FuckALLauthorities]

You have no idea what OFF GRID means, listen to the 30 seconds again more-on.

[@miscellaneousme]

Off grid means you are not connected to the main utilities like electric, water, etc. It doesn’t mean that you forgo modern technology like the Amish (and actually, some Amish do use cell phones for work if they work for “the English” and will even ride in cars as long as a non-Amish person is driving). It simply means you source your utilities elsewhere (like power from alternative places like solar panels or a gas generator). 👍

[@TheBackwoodsHermit]

@@miscellaneousme Some can't understand that the modern world simply doesn't allow you to go completely "off-grid" without the authorities attacking you for it. Don't pay your property taxes, lose your land. Don't register your vehicles and keep up car insurance, no traveling anywhere. Everything requires you to keep contact information like a phone number and/or email address. If uploading videos over my $30/month Visible plan on their cheapest $99 phone makes me a fake off-gridder, so be it. At least I can still keep in contact with my family and call 911 if needed.

[@miscellaneousme]

@@TheBackwoodsHermit I think there’s a difference between being completely free and independent, and being off grid in today’s modern world. You’re right- in our society, you never are truly “free” because the government has claimed all land everywhere as theirs. If you buy it, they can still take it back if you don’t pay taxes, as you mentioned. If you don’t have a license, you cannot drive. Often I find that people conflate “free and independent” with “off grid”. As in, off grid means you don’t take part in society at all and that you are 100% sustainable. We’ll never truly be untouchable by our gov. If they want you, they’ll find a way to get you. Off grid for me is therefore just giving myself a fighting chance if things were to all shut down by sourcing my utilities for myself, rather than relying on companies and being at their mercy. It’s a great discussion!

[@user-tn7hc4ww3j]

I will be living "Off-Grid" in luxury with zero contracts and all amenities. No illusion, just reality.

[@SteveHammer-b3k]

I live in a tent on my 10 acres of woods in eastern Oklahoma. Do you do any fishing? Great way to feed yourself cheap.

[@TheBackwoodsHermit]

@@SteveHammer-b3k I'm in the western Arkansas portion of the Ouachita Mountains so not far from you. I do enjoy fishing for fun, however I do have a fish allergy so no eating for me.

[@SteveHammer-b3k]

@@TheBackwoodsHermit Sorry, about the allergy. You should try raising quail in the future. Get some eggs to eat or pickle. Also, one quail is a decent meal when living without a fridge.

[@TheBackwoodsHermit]

@@SteveHammer-b3k For sure. I do intend to get chickens in the near future as I have experience from keeping them for around 10 years at my old house. Eggs are an excellent superfood.

[@campsteffeshomestead]

Do you have a video of a tour on how your home functions? Water system , electrical if applicable. Do you have solar or??

[@TheBackwoodsHermit]

@@campsteffeshomestead Someone else also asked a similar question about how my systems work. That info is kinda divided over all of my videos, so I think the next one I do will be a quick rundown of that stuff so it's all in one place.

[@Chickenfoothomestead]

I could not agree with you more. "Clown world", yep. Those of us that are living the skills will do better than those hoarding the stuff. We live out in the middle of a corn field and it's still not far enough away for my taste. My next move, out to the woods.

[@TheBackwoodsHermit]

@@Chickenfoothomestead Leaving Illinois was a tough one for me as my whole life was there. Being in the Ouachita Mountains turned out to be the right move for me though. Hopefully you'll find your dream place as well. Be thankful you're at least in the middle of a corn field. Most don't have even that much privacy.