This post is a hypothetical exploration of an ‘alternative’ way of living.
It was a vision I had a long time ago, back when I didn’t know anyone living in a van. It faded and became dormant, until recently, during a time when this way of living is probably more relevant than ever.
And in these times, it seems, more and more people are seeking out alternative ways of living. Where the model of living we thought we could always rely on starts to… let’s say… show signs of unreliability?
So let me welcome you into a glimpse of a vision…
What would it be like to live on some land?
We’ll have our vans
Our private spaces, bedrooms and offices
We could make it all nice
The first job?
Install internet!
And generate our own power
Because synths don’t power themselves
Winter comes but the music still plays
We’ll survive
The fire still burns
Dancers still dance
Christmas should not be any more complicated than this
Springtime is seedtime
We’ll watch it grow
And come alive
Sofas outside
Pizza outside
Space to create what you want
A video studio
Or a fire-bath under the stars
Fire gigs
With real people
Inspiration and creativity grows
Everything grows
Muscles also
Playing
Laughing
And eating your favourite colours
This is the prescription
To create ceremony
And sacrifice a little convenience
For that deeper understanding of living
Learning from the visitors
From each other
Always work to do
But we have the machines
And…the… trampolines?
By the way, I’m not saying this is a perfect kind of utopian way of living, or one neat solution to anything. But living close to nature, with nature, in a small community of good people, growing food, being self sufficient with power, waste, recycling and all of the above. There’s something to it.
Maybe it addresses certain things that mainstream society (hmm let’s call it that?) doesn’t, or cannot, provide. It’s clear, some of the fundamental foundations of what makes a fully actualised human are stripped away and sold back to us, using products to (temporarily) fill the gaps. It doesn’t really work, long term, and the symptoms are all around us.
For many people, there’s a need for genuine spiritual nourishment (and sanity) that can sometimes/often only be found on the fringes, around the edges. That’s where I’ve always found the best things. That’s where I feel reality is. It would be easier if it wasn’t like this, but that’s where I feel most alive.
What about you? Share in the comments below…
Also see this post: VIDEO: Can I leave the UK? How to escape the island by campervan
