80. Food tastes better
When you grow your own food, it tastes better because it’s more natural, there are less chemicals, and there’s something refreshingly primal about eating food that you grew yourself.
81. Variety
Living on a ranch or farm in the country will give you the rewarding benefit of adding variety to your life. Every day will be different, there is always something to do on the farm.
82. You actually know where your food comes from
You don’t have to wonder or care about whether your food is GMO or treated with hormones, antibiotics, or harmful chemicals because you grow your own food.
83. A greater sense of purpose
Working a 9-5 job is fine, and great and wonderful. Right? In fact merely having a job in this economy is a good thing. Right? So what’s the purpose? Why do people work 40, 60, and 80 hours per week, just to get by? What’s the point? What’s your goal? Why are you doing it that way? Not that there is anything wrong with working a 9-5 job. It’s rewarding, and brings with it positive aspects. But ask yourself why you punch a clock. What’s your purpose? To pay bills and provide for your family right? That’s what it comes down to. Sure you might have financial goals, and dreams for your dream house. Ask yourself, what’s your real purpose? Security and safety for your family. Happiness. Right? So why are you spending 40-80 hours per week away from your family working to make someone else richer? I’m not saying quit your job and move to the woods. I’m saying that once you realize what your true purpose is, what you truly seek, and what you want our of life, your intrinsic purpose becomes much clearer to you.
84. Fresher food
When you live off grid and grow your own food, the food you eat and feed your family is fresher than what you get at the grocery store. Walk outside, pick the food, and prepare it. It doesn’t get any fresher than that.
85. Bonfires!
If you tried to build a bonfire in the courtyard of your apartment building in the city, you’d probably be arrested, fined for endangering the public, inciting a riot, evicted, and thrown out on the street. But since you’ll be living off grid, you can have a giant bonfire, invite all your neighbors and party it up in the middle of the field out by the barn. Just be careful not to light the hay on fire or you won’t have a barn left. But hey, that would be one helluva bonfire!
86. S’mores!
I personally don’t like s’mores, but, I know you probably do, and you’re welcome to make them at our bonfire. Come on over, bring the beer, and we’ll watch the stars and race tractors into the night.
87. You make your own way
Self sufficiency isn’t just about being independent, but making your own way. You are a trailblazer in a new world. Ushering in positive change for you and your family. Creating a world your children will be proud and happy to grow up in, and raise their own children. You are the leader of your family, and as such have the greatest responsibility in the world to lead by example. Its not just your way. It’s your family’s way.
88. You become one with the land
Since you’re working the land everyday, you become more connected to it, and it makes you more aware of nature and the earth.
89. Getting dirty is sexy
Let’s face it. Seeing your partner getting down and dirty in the field or working on the farm tractor is just plain sexy.
90. Farming is sexy!
See above.
91. Ranching is sexy!
See above.
92. Gardening is sexy!
See…Yes, I said it 3 times! Living off grid is sexy and it probably leads to having more kids. Which, when you look at this way, it gives you more hands around the farm. 🙂
93. Beauty of the land
Country is more beautiful than the city. Simple as that.
94. Make money from home
Your off grid farm or ranch is your job. It becomes your source of revenue. Whether you are working a home based business inside your home, or your farm is your livelihood, you make your living from the land you live on.
95. You don’t have to commute 50 miles to work each day
The money saved by not commuting back and forth to work every day to pay for a mortgage and car payment, and utility bills, and insurance, and cable, and internet, and… Well, you get the point.
96. Creating great memories with your family
This is perhaps one of the most important things in life. Great memories of your childhood and making those memories with your family.
97. Living off the land is more fulfilling
When you live off the land it’s better for the Earth, and giving back what it is providing for you, and as such it becomes much more fulfilling than any other lifestyle.
98. Sense of well being & contentment
When you know that all your needs and the needs of your family have been provided for you will experience a sense of well being beyond anything you’ve ever imagined.
99. Living local
Supporting the community through shared interests, and a solid connection with local residents.
100. It’s green!
101. Living off grid makes you happy!
Living off grid is a simpler, less stressful, more fulfilling lifestyle, and ultimately, on a much deeper level, truly makes you happy.
***
Originally Published in Off Grid Living Magazine October 2014 Issue
