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Most people who have gone off the grid will say that it’s one of the best decisions they’ve ever made, but that doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. Choosing to swap the life you currently have for an entirely different one is not a decision to make lightly, and a lot of thought and planning has to go into it.
Before you start making plans to try this new way of life, take a moment to think about grid-friendly alternatives for some of the following things.
Study
If you’re ready to study and mold a new career for yourself, it’s essential to think of practical ways for that to happen, even when living off the grid. If you have an internet connection, you can gain a master of human resource management online. There are also plenty of other online courses that you can enroll in to set your life’s trajectory.
Online courses are just as fulfilling and engaging as in-person ones, but you don’t need to spend time and money commuting to a campus.
Work
If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it’s that we don’t need to be in an office environment to make money. If your workplace already offers remote work, you can continue working for the same company as you transition into an off-the-grid lifestyle. You just need to factor internet arrangements into your off-the-grid plan.
However, as your living costs are generally much lower, you may even decide to try something new that takes up less of your time, such as babysitting, pet sitting, beekeeping, or house cleaning.
House
Going off the grid can be a significant adjustment when you’ve only ever lived in a traditional home. However, you certainly have plenty of options from which to choose.
Some people purchase tiny homes which offer the same creature comforts of a larger home. Others opt for RVs, caravans, modified traditional houses, or even tents. When you’re living off the grid, all home options have their pros and cons, so put time into reviewing each living arrangement to ensure you select one that’s right for you.
Food
Living off the grid can sometimes mean that you’re far away from life’s necessities. You may not even have suitable cool storage to keep perishables for long periods.
Think long and hard about your food preferences to ensure you’re going to be able to sustain yourself. Many people grow gardens with fruits and vegetables to cover their basic needs and stock up on non-perishables like beans, nuts, rice, honey, and canned goods.
Location
Where you’ll decide to live off the grid is a personal choice, but some places welcome it with open arms more so than others. Some countries, states, and regions are also more suitable than others.
Generally, there are a few factors to consider, such as the climate, land prices and taxes, building codes, and legalities. In the United States, Arizona, California, and Colorado are among the most popular places to explore off-the-grid living arrangements.
The concept of disconnecting from our current fast-paced world is appealing, and it’s likely to suit a wide variety of people. However, before you start making life-changing decisions, make sure you come up with off-the-grid-friendly solutions for some of the things above to ensure it’s going to be a suitable lifestyle for you.
