I guess I'd like to hear stories of folks who have settled down in some type of alternative community or space long-term that has been completely fulfilling and worthwhile. I hear stories often of regrets and frustration about leaving the traveling life to rejoin "normal society" for one reason or another, even if folks are working on cool important things, and I feel similarly. Feeling completely fulfilled and true to yourself while living within a system you rejected for so long is difficult. People seem more fake and less motivated. Where have you settled and what are you doing that have made you feel that it is worth it? What projects keep you busy, how do you stay true to your ideals? What cities still have energy and cool things without unbearable drama or being fucking super expensive? Where is the DIY scene still going strong?
This is a bit of a rant, I guess I just would like to vent. Hopefully someone can relate.
I was always kinda on-and-off while traveling, staying in a cool place with a cool community for a few weeks or months at a time before moving on. But the last few years, after some major changes in my life, I found myself drawn to working on long-term projects with communities and organizations. I want to do shit to make a difference. After several years and many attempts, some successful and some less so, I'm still feeling less than enthusiastic, and largely disappointed. I feel lonely and disconnected compared to my relationships with others on the road. It is hard to connect with most people, and I am amazed at how difficult it is for people to cooperate with or respect each other. Functional communities that are centered around DIY ethic, self-reliance, rebellion, direct communication, and genuine camaraderie seem to be hard to come by. It is so easy for folks to fall into complacency. I keep encountering an emphasis on comfort & safety before adventure & action, and cliquey, isolated groups that spend more time nitpicking or arguing than accomplishing anything tangible, and this is just not my cup of tea. It is hard to live in both worlds, working against the system while functioning within it. A lot of people are tired or depressed or giving up, a lot of people are just talk-abouters that don't take initiative without their hand being held, and some are more motivated by social capital than genuine connection or growth. I meet less and less stationary people who have really dedicated themselves to their crafts or hobbies or skills or projects, or that even have the time/energy to do so. It seems to be hard to even get people together to do FUN projects.
I miss recklessness and passion, impulsive creativity, the POWER OF FRIENDSHIP™ and teamwork, people who can openly and honestly clash and still work together. It's been a minute since I've seen anything I've been inspired by, and I need some inspiration in my life. Maybe I'm just old and jaded, or haven't been out of my bubble recently. I'll be hitting the road again soon.
This is a bit of a rant, I guess I just would like to vent. Hopefully someone can relate.
I was always kinda on-and-off while traveling, staying in a cool place with a cool community for a few weeks or months at a time before moving on. But the last few years, after some major changes in my life, I found myself drawn to working on long-term projects with communities and organizations. I want to do shit to make a difference. After several years and many attempts, some successful and some less so, I'm still feeling less than enthusiastic, and largely disappointed. I feel lonely and disconnected compared to my relationships with others on the road. It is hard to connect with most people, and I am amazed at how difficult it is for people to cooperate with or respect each other. Functional communities that are centered around DIY ethic, self-reliance, rebellion, direct communication, and genuine camaraderie seem to be hard to come by. It is so easy for folks to fall into complacency. I keep encountering an emphasis on comfort & safety before adventure & action, and cliquey, isolated groups that spend more time nitpicking or arguing than accomplishing anything tangible, and this is just not my cup of tea. It is hard to live in both worlds, working against the system while functioning within it. A lot of people are tired or depressed or giving up, a lot of people are just talk-abouters that don't take initiative without their hand being held, and some are more motivated by social capital than genuine connection or growth. I meet less and less stationary people who have really dedicated themselves to their crafts or hobbies or skills or projects, or that even have the time/energy to do so. It seems to be hard to even get people together to do FUN projects.
I miss recklessness and passion, impulsive creativity, the POWER OF FRIENDSHIP™ and teamwork, people who can openly and honestly clash and still work together. It's been a minute since I've seen anything I've been inspired by, and I need some inspiration in my life. Maybe I'm just old and jaded, or haven't been out of my bubble recently. I'll be hitting the road again soon.