The DIY Life
By
Murali Murthy
It's time and again proven that life always comes a full circle.
With nature being abused in the name of urbanization, most of us are moving away from the city hustle to the outskirts preferring a calmer & peaceful environment - irony committed suicide!
I myself have changed 2 houses, each time running away from the city's epicenter, still not getting the peace I am looking for.
Myself and most of my friends who are in our late 40s are considering moving out of the cities and settling in the nature.
Many of my friends have started exploring either purchasing a small farm land or Managed farm land.
Each of us wants to run away from city life, fed up and frustrated with frenziness, people from varied society & culture, noise, indiscipline, intolerance, traffic, traffic and traffic.
What is it that we want to escape to? Have we weighed in the perks of a life amidst nature Vs life in a City? What are we losing? What are we achieving?
There are numerous aspects to be considered before making the jump. There are probably equal perks in both the lifestyles, the question is how much we are willing to adapt and recalibrate?
The comfort of door step deliveries, easy access to facilities and services, good roads, unlimited options to satisfy our taste buds of multiple cuisines and dining experiences, uninhibited partying, unlimited opportunities and earning ability Vs clean air, closed communities, peace and tranquility.
The lifestyle will no doubt be demanding, it challenges one's physical fitness, ability to be self reliant, self dependent.
Can we just sit idle and consider it to be normal living? Can we curb our urge to be entertained all day, engaged all day? Can we still consider doing nothing as daily routine? Can we control the craving to party?
Can we derive pleasure and purpose in every small things in life?
I researched on few people who have migrated from urban life:
Anand Sankar moved from Bangalore to a remote hilly village in Uttarakhand, he is now engaged in social service helping people in such remote places and runs an NGO.
Neha Sumitran migrated to Kodaikanal from Chennai, engages herself in regenerative farming, alternative energy systems.
Ashish Godara moved from Rajastan to Uttarakhand, engaged in Farming and runs a homestay.
In all these examples and based on our circle's talks, many of us are fed up of city life. I will go a step ahead and say I am not built for city life. The stress that we have put on ourselves with unreachable ambitions and goals have probably reached it's peak and our body, mind can't deal with this stress anymore.
These questions could probably help us make the decision:
- Have we made enough money to migrate?
- Can we engage in Farming related activities?
- Are we prepared to let go of our urges?
- Can we connect and build a long lasting relationship with nature?
- Can we live amidst insects and animals?
- Can we adapt to a DIY life?
