Learning to Live in Harmony with Earth
Note: This post is a refinement of my Previous Blog post “I Can’t Handle the Truth” with practical action steps to pursue.
A year ago, I thought I could form a for-profit company to help solve the Metacrisis. Unfortunately, the deeper I dig into this issue, the more I am convicted that I must fundamentally change—I must have a break with my old way of being if I am to move forward. Metanoia.
This post is hard to write because I don’t want to admit how shallow and selfish my lifestyle is, nor how much I need to change to live in balance with the web of life. I’ve been struggling for years trying to find a way around the truth because I don’t want it to be true. I like my rich, convenient life, but it is a vile plague of human selfishness. The hard truth is:
My way of life is destroying the planet.
In order for me to continue having my lifestyle of comfort and convenience, I must look the other way. I must ignore that my extravagance comes at a high cost…a high cost to other people, other species, and the health of the ecosystem. To live my lifestyle, others—plants, animals, and people—must live in sickness, poverty, slavery, and many must die. That’s the way the system works, and my participation in it is wrong.
WRONG WAY: The Engineer’s Delusion
The engineer in me has been looking for technical solutions—electric cars, solar panels, vegetarian diets, etc. The business person in me has been seeking a different business model. Blah, blah, blah. The truth is, I haven’t a clue how to live in balance with the ecosystem. My lifestyle is so grossly out of whack with the natural rhythm of life that I don’t even know where to start. Worse still, technological “solutions” like solar panels might only propagate and support the destruction of life. Life survived for billions of years without them, and these recent “solutions” for comfort are incompatible with long-term survival.
RIGHT WAY: Breaking Free
To break free from this cycle of destruction, I must confront my addiction to convenience and dependence on money. Without money, I quickly become homeless; without money, I don’t have food. The challenge is immense, but the steps to freedom, though difficult, are clear.
1. Acknowledge the Addiction The first step is to fully acknowledge the depth of my addiction to convenience and dependence on money. Recognizing that this isn’t just about changing habits but about redefining my entire way of living is painful but crucial.
2. Start Small and Local I’ll begin by taking small, actionable steps that reduce my reliance on money and technology. Focusing on basic needs—food, shelter, and community—is the foundation:
- Food: I’ll start by growing some of my own food, even if it’s just a small garden or herbs on a windowsill. I’ll seek out local farmers or community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs where I can trade goods or services instead of money.
- Shelter: I’ll explore alternative housing solutions that require minimal or no reliance on industrial technology. Reducing living expenses by embracing minimalism or sharing resources with others will also be key.
- Community: I’ll build connections with others who share my desire to break free from consumerism. These relationships can provide a support network for sharing skills, bartering, and mutual aid.
3. Learn Practical Skills To reduce dependence on both money and technology, I’ll start learning practical skills that allow me to provide for myself without relying on industrial systems:
- Gardening and Foraging: I’ll learn how to grow my own food and identify edible plants in my area, focusing on methods that are sustainable and do not rely on industrial agriculture.
- DIY and Repairs: Gaining skills in fixing and maintaining belongings will reduce the need to buy new or depend on complex technologies.
- Basic Construction: Understanding how to build or modify simple structures using natural materials will help reduce housing costs and reliance on industrial products.
4. Gradual Withdrawal from the Money and Technology System I’ll begin to wean myself off both money and unsustainable technologies by setting goals to reduce my financial and technological footprint:
- Debt Reduction: I’ll work towards eliminating any debts that tie me to the money system.
- Resource Diversification: Instead of investing in modern technological solutions like solar panels, I’ll consider traditional, low-impact alternatives that align with natural cycles.
- Bartering and Trading: Engaging in barter systems or local currencies that help trade without using conventional money or relying on technological infrastructure will be part of this journey.
5. Radical Honesty and Sacrifice Breaking free from industrial consumerism requires radical honesty about what I’m willing to sacrifice. This might mean giving up certain comforts, luxuries, and even relationships tied to my current lifestyle. It’s a painful but necessary part of the journey.
6. Embrace Discomfort This path will be uncomfortable. I’ll face challenges and temptations to revert to old ways. Embracing this discomfort is part of the transformation. Over time, the discomfort will become less daunting as I grow more self-sufficient and connected to a community that shares my values.
7. Reconnect with Nature and Simplicity I’ll reconnect with the natural world in a way that goes beyond consumption. Spending time in nature, meditating, or engaging in spiritual practices that help find meaning and purpose beyond material wealth will be central. Learning from traditional ways of living that have sustained life for millennia without reliance on modern technology is essential.
8. Commit to Lifelong Change Finally, I’ll recognize that this isn’t a quick fix but a lifelong commitment. The goal isn’t perfection but continuous improvement—a steady movement away from dependency on industrial consumerism and unsustainable technology towards a life of balance, sustainability, and true freedom.
Keeping My Marriage Strong During the Transition
Maintaining a strong marriage during such a significant lifestyle change requires thoughtful communication, mutual respect, and shared commitment. Here’s how I plan to navigate this transition with my wife of 33 years:
1. Open and Honest Communication I’ll express my intentions clearly, sharing my concerns about the environment and desire for a simpler life. Listening actively to her thoughts, feelings, and concerns will be crucial in finding common ground.
2. Involve My Partner in the Process We’ll collaboratively plan the transition, discussing steps we can take together and where compromises may be necessary. Establishing shared goals will ensure that both our values are reflected in this journey.
3. Balance and Compromise Respecting our differences and being willing to compromise will help us find a middle ground. A gradual transition will allow both of us to adjust, reducing stress and tension.
4. Focus on Shared Values We’ll reconnect with the values that have sustained our marriage over the years—love, trust, respect, and partnership. Emphasizing how these values are compatible with the changes I want to make will strengthen our bond.
5. Be Patient and Compassionate I’ll allow time for adjustment and offer support and reassurance throughout the transition. Regular check-ins will help us stay aligned, and I’ll be open to adjusting our approach if needed.
6. Keep the Relationship Fun and Light Amidst the seriousness of the changes we’re making, I’ll ensure that we maintain joy and laughter in our relationship. Planning activities we both enjoy and celebrating each milestone together will keep our connection strong.
Moving Forward
This journey is about more than just reducing my carbon footprint or living off the grid. It’s about fundamentally changing how I relate to the world around me—moving away from a mindset of “how much can I get?” to “how much can I give?” It’s about creating a life that is in balance with the natural world, free from the chains of industrial consumerism and unsustainable technology. And it’s about doing so while maintaining and even strengthening the most important relationship in my life.