WHAT DOES LIVING OFF-THE-GRID ACTUALLY MEAN?
Off-the-grid living can be described as many things. There is no strict definition of what it means. It means different things to different people. It is a lifestyle. To many, living off-the-grid means moving to the countryside and having a simpler life by reducing the number of resources consumed while participating more in the preservation of the environment through various activities. Many off-grid houses are independent of the water supply, electrical, sewer, or other utility services provided by the government and instead, produce these services themselves. Moreover, many off-grid dwellers grow their own food instead of purchasing them from groceries or supermarkets.
WHY DO PEOPLE CHOOSE TO LIVE OFF-THE-GRID?
Environmental Benefits
There are many environmental benefits that accompany living off-the-grid. This lifestyle allows you to become more in touch with your surroundings. People who choose to move away from society to surround themselves with nature find themselves living a healthier life.
Healthier Lifestyle
Living off-the-grid could mean reverting back to a more primitive lifestyle. This includes walking or biking as a main form of transportation instead of using cars.
Rebellion
Some people choose to rebel against society and therefore defy all that society has become. These rebels move out to the wilderness and disconnect themselves from a system they perceive as corrupt and greedy, thus making a statement that represents liberty and independence.
Cost Efficiency
Cost efficiency is one of the more common reasons as to why people decide to go off-the-grid. By reducing the resources being consumed and instead, producing these resources, cost-effectiveness will have been achieved. For example, some rely on solar power as a source of energy instead of purchasing electricity.
Smaller Carbon Footprint
For environmentalists, a smaller carbon footprint is an important factor and therefore they choose a lifestyle that reduces the damage done to our environment.
Lower Stress and Anxiety Leading to Better Health
Becoming more in touch with nature and living a healthier lifestyle is an improvement for both physical and mental health.
EASY STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO LIVE OFF-THE-GRID IN THE CITY
If you choose to participate in the off-grid living but feel like you are not completely ready to immerse yourself in it, then there are many steps you can take to become a partial off-grid member. And even though it feels easier to live off-the-grid in the countryside, with a little hard work you could implement this lifestyle in the city. All you need to do is follow these simple steps:
Grey Water
Instead of using clean water to water the gardens or flush the toilet, you could use the leftover water from washing clothes or showering.
Rainwater
In addition to grey water, rainwater could vastly help with the reduction of costs. Even though rainwater could be contaminated, it could be very effective for the use of the other daily functions such as laundry, gardening, or toilet uses.
Take Advantage of The City
Instead of driving to work, you can walk, bike, or use public transportation as a substitute method. The use of these facilities could help save some money that can be further used for other more important necessities.
RECYCLE!
Recycling should be the first step towards living off-the-grid. Recycling reduces the amount of waste that gets sent to landfills and incinerators. The chemicals released from the waste in these landfills are very harmful towards the environment and thus, recycling genuinely helps with preserving the environment. In addition, recycling helps slow down global warming, reduces pollution, and helps conserve energy.
COMPOST!
Compost helps maintain the quality of the soil by enriching it with nutrients from the decomposed organic material. It helps maintain moisture and therefore reduces the need for water. In addition, composting protects plants from potential diseases and overall results in the growth of healthier plants.
UPCYCLE!
Upcycling is the reusing of unwanted or used objects into an object of higher value. Similar to recycling and composting, upcycling helps reduce the number of chemicals released into the atmosphere by landfills and incinerators, as well as reduces the need to produce new materials, which also helps maintain resources.
The above steps are only the introductory steps you can take to become off-the-grid. Of course, people who choose to completely go off-the-grid totally disconnect themselves from public utilities and instead try to sustain themselves by finding alternative sources to satisfy their needs. For example, solar power has become an increasingly popular source of energy and people have chosen to rely only on solar power instead of purchasing electricity. Moreover, many people grow their own food in gardens they’ve set up in their homes instead of buying food from supermarkets or groceries. Living off-the-grid helps promote a healthier lifestyle as well as helps preserve the environment and therefore, if these practices have been implemented into your life then you are on your way to enjoying a happier, healthier, and greener life.
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