Back to freedom

[Thenihilist]

Before I got into this whole bushcraft lark I was homeless, sleeping on the streets and in the woods, jobless and tbh I hated it, id only spent 14 weeks living like this after an unfortunate sense of circumstances then spent months in a series of places that were horrific to say the least, after a while I got myself together I got a job through my old man working on the oil Riggs and I had a flat, when homeless I always thought This is what I wanted but in the past 6 months I've had this tbh great flat with a wee garden,more than I could hope for but I suffer from terrible anxiety about various things for example I could lose my job and be unable to pay rent, I don't want to buy furniture due to the same anxietys etc, so I've been in this flat 6 months with pretty much nothing in it, been sleeping on the floor, with no heating due to constant worrying. I realized that I really did not like this whole thing and felt I was actually better of homeless, I like to work on what I call the 3 month rule, most of us have ideas of living in the woods as do I, as its such a huge decision I give it the 3 month rule, ie if your opinion hasn't changed over 3 months then its not a stupid thing to do as long as you have back up options.During the last week I've tanned four cow skins for a teepee I have another four to tan over the next week and I have the woodland to comfortably be in( I lived there for 5 weeks last year and never seen a soul given that its fairly difficult to get to) I also bought a storage unit to keep stuff in, seemed that all my flat was was a convenient storage place.this won't be a primitive affair as I'll be offshore for 3 weeks and storing my stuff in a lockup then heading back to my wood. This'll giveme all the time to learn the craft.I've notified my landlord and will be off on WednesdayIf anyone can mention anything i need that i haven't thought of id be gratefulCheers

 

[crosslandkelly]

Keep hold of the flat mate, If only for a postal address. I don't think you'll have a postman in the woods.

 

[Thenihilist]

Keep hold of the flat mate, If only for a postal address. I don't think you'll have a postman in the woods.

I rarely recieve post, given the wonders of mobile phones and solar chargers I can get post sent to my old boy

 

[Toddy]

Aye, you need a postal address, and sort out the bank accounts, driving licence and passport stuff while you can too. Suss out the Dr and Dentist as well; you might not need them often, but when you do, it's best you can do so quickly.

I don't think you're being wise, but it's your life and your worries. Best of luck with the decisions you take.

Kind regards,
Toddy

 

[munkiboi182]

if you feel you can do this comfortably then good on ya, however.... be smart about it. dont just disappear off grid for long periods of time. make sure someone knows you are there. if you were to fall ill or worse then you need an escape strategy. find some one to confide in who can visit once a week, make sure you take enough back-up supplies in case you fail to forage/ hunt enough, take an appropriate med kit, not just plasters and bandages. think antibiotics etc. i'd wait out the winter in your flat and plan and prep until the weather improves an then stay in the woods over increasing periods until you're comfortable. then when you are 100% give it a go. remember the 7 P's- propper planning and preparation prevents p**s poor performance.

 

[Tengu]

You need a better plan, better equitment, and yes, a postal address.

 

[Thenihilist]

When I had nothing, I was fine for 5 weeks at this very spot, this was 2 years ago when we had that bad winter, I had no sleeping bag or not much knowlege at all.

I now have a decent amount if knowledge, skins for a teepee, the land where I have permission to do this, I am working offshore for 3 weeks at a time then im off for 3 weeks, I'll be fine to buy all my food but of purse I'll be snaring those evil squirrels, if anything went wrong im 30 mins from a road and be able to contact family via mobile

 

[Toddy]

You do know that it's normal to worry ? about jobs, bills, and so on ? and it's no wonder you're fretting after your last experience. I think in your shoes I too would be taking every step I could to see that I'd be in control so that it never, ever, happened again.

I'm presuming you're saving furiously and trying to create greater security for yourself.
Would it not maybe be worth investigating buying a house/flat and getting a lodger ? The rent pays the bills but you still have a roof over your head.
2 bedroom, in Fife, around £50,000, will cost about £310 a month.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E61347&maxPrice=50000&minBedrooms=2

Just an idea It'll cost to buy, and the utilites and poll tax stuff would still need to be paid, but if you're working offshore you're earning decent money. You don't need to live on the streets or in the woods anymore. You might choose to, but there are other options.

If you were my son, I'd be worried, that's all.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Robbi]

Mary, you are are darling

 

[Samon]

why are you making a teepee dude? wouldn't it be easier to buy and use a heavy duty canvas one, maybe with a little wood burner set-up so you don't die in the mega cold we will be getting?

Good luck though


Only £50,000 for an apartment?

an ex council flat here will cost 3 times that, and it's not exactly a nice area or a particularly desireable town.

maybe I need to relocate up north.. how much sia pint up there? Cheapest round here is £3.70 for a crappy fosters.

 

[Stroller]

Might be worth doing in order to save up some money. Maybe get something heap at auction to rent out.
You may struggle to find 'company' willing to be entertained in a tipee with no porcelain throne.
I suppose a gym membership would be handy for a hot shower and clean bog.
You are certainly accruing life experience, so when will your first book be published?

 

[Thenihilist]

Thanks for the thoughts guys.The only thing stopping me is the idea of future security but for me this isn't a massive concern I have options in the event I end up hating what im doing but given past experience I know I'll be fine. I've been gradually heading back to it, when im onshore I only really head to my flat to drop of stuff then I head back out so as I say it is just a convenient storage area.I find it useful to look 40 years into the future when I'll be old and I may seriously regret not doing it, im 21 in a few weeks and there are already things I wish I did but didn't and that sucks.Ps. Samon mate 3.70 for a pint? I would cry if it was anywhere near that lol

 

[Russell96]

Incredible thread. I hope you find a way of keeping us all updated. No wifi in the woods! Would love to here how things pan out for you.
Russ

 

[Elen Sentier]

if you feel you can do this comfortably then good on ya, however.... be smart about it. dont just disappear off grid for long periods of time. make sure someone knows you are there. if you were to fall ill or worse then you need an escape strategy. find some one to confide in who can visit once a week, make sure you take enough back-up supplies in case you fail to forage/ hunt enough, take an appropriate med kit, not just plasters and bandages. think antibiotics etc. i'd wait out the winter in your flat and plan and prep until the weather improves an then stay in the woods over increasing periods until you're comfortable. then when you are 100% give it a go. remember the 7 P's- propper planning and preparation prevents p**s poor performance.

I agree with this. Take time to prepare and the winter would be good for this. If your old man will give you the postal address then this will work for docs, dentist etc - another friend does this. The Ps re very important - but, for me, they do NOT exclude what you plan to do and I too say good on yer , wish I was fit enough to do it myself.

Do make sure someone sensible (not likely to panic unnecessarily) knows where you are and can come and clear the corpse up should it be necessary . Escape strategy vital, if you plan what you would do if you break a leg or put an axe through your foot or something then you may well survive such accidents. Think about how you get a signal and charge for your mobile devices in that light too.

I would very seriously take time to plan this. I do understand the not living in towns/cities thing, would probably top myself if I had to. Planning makes the new life work. And you still have the job which is grand. I'd keep the flat as a bolt hole for the winter nd move out next spring having got it all well planned.

Looking fwd to hearing how it goes - quite envious

 

[Elen Sentier]

Thanks for the thoughts guys.The only thing stopping me is the idea of future security but for me this isn't a massive concern I have options in the event I end up hating what im doing but given past experience I know I'll be fine. I've been gradually heading back to it, when im onshore I only really head to my flat to drop of stuff then I head back out so as I say it is just a convenient storage area.I find it useful to look 40 years into the future when I'll be old and I may seriously regret not doing it, im 21 in a few weeks and there are already things I wish I did but didn't and that sucks.Ps. Samon mate 3.70 for a pint? I would cry if it was anywhere near that lol

Being old, I'm with you on the "regrets" . And the very best of luck with the whole project. I've bookmarked this thread so don't forget to keep coming back so I can read the next episode. Go, man, go ... but don't forget to plan ...

 

[Tengu]

You want to go back to the woods because that was where you `were` secure, yes?

Very lucky to be in a good job. Do try and get a property at auction...they can be dead cheap. Your only 21 and need the security.

Believe me, being in property is a very big weight off your mind.

 

[Elen Sentier]

I have to disagree with this. All that responsibility and for what? Having to go and work even more so you can keep on with the responsibilities so you can work even more? Believe me, at 65 yrs old, you're not better off in property! It's a myth!

There are lots of views. We're all different to you and not living your life. For all the gods' sakes don't try to live our lives! We don't know best, not for you, and we certainly shouldn't try to coercre you into living our way. Go for it, live your own life in spite of us all telling you what you should do! Part of growing up and being adult is to hear all the other blokes' (and women's) arguments and still hold to what your guts say is right for you to do now. Go on, live your life, don't try to conform to what we tell you

 

[santaman2000]

I have to disagree with this. All that responsibility and for what? Having to go and work even more so you can keep on with the responsibilities so you can work even more? Believe me, at 65 yrs old, you're not better off in property! It's a myth!.....

You're not a country girl are you?

 

[blacktimberwolf]

I know where you're coming from thenihilist, we have things that burn inside us & we have to do them before 'settling down " get it out of your system., I can understand you not wanting to get bogged down with a house just yet too.......When our final hour arrives, it's far worse regretting the things we haven't done than regretting those we have..........you're only 21 so you have a return ticket should you find that it's not what you were expecting.
Working on the rigs is tough work & spending weeks at a time in close confinement with people you haven't chosen to be with, is difficult for anyone to put up with so passing time in the woods, doing what you like to do will help you cope.


As for an address, you could always open a P.O. box at the nearest post office, assumming they still exist.

Good luck to ya anyway.

Just as a matter of interest, what do you tan the cow hides in ? ......they're enormous

 

[Rockmonkey]

Good luck to you my friend!
I would love to be that brave, GOOD FOR YOU!!!
I'm selling up, Giving up work and moving away in a caravan with the wife and dog!, Doing some traveling, and gonna do whatever i fancy!
If what you are doing doesn't work, you can always rent a place again!, If you don't try, you will always wonder!
Life is too short to be a Sheep!, be your own man, but please remember, "No man is an island".
Best wishes!!

RM