- Inspire Your Journey

Avoiding Negative Effects of Technology

Technology has changed virtually every aspect of our daily lives, from communication to transportation. But as many benefits as it offers, many point out its negative effects, such as:

Eyestrain

Sleep problems

Isolation

Distraction

Cyberbullying

Electromagnetic radiation (EMR)

People living off-grid seek to live a life less consumed by technology by not living in an area close to EMR or EMF sources or an internet connection.

Improving Survival

Another consequence of advancing technology is how our reliance on it has made us lose out on key survival skills that humans have learned since the dawn of time.

We lose skills such as producing our own food and clothes, building fires, and interacting with nature. And this idea is troubling, especially if a day ever came where we had to do without these advances. Off-the-grid living helps to home these ideas and improve our survival.

Reduce Environmental Impact

The average US citizen has a carbon footprint of approximately 16 tons, including household energy consumption. A person living off-grid typically has to find alternative energy sources, like solar and wind. Because of that, they use significantly less energy than average, thus helping the environment.

Those living off-grid also typically produce most of their food through onsite gardens. This helps reduce carbon emissions from large-scale meatpacking operations and vehicles transporting food from distant farms.

Boosting Self-Sufficiency

One of the most common reasons people live off-the-grid reflects the attitude of transcendentalist writer Henry David Thoreau. When he famously moved into a log cabin on Walden Pond during the Industrial Revolution, he wrote that he wanted to “live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach.”

Off-grid living allows people to experience the pleasure of a fully self-sufficient lifestyle, unburdened by the distractions of other kinds of living. This allure of independence has drawn people in for generations, and—if the increasing number of those going off-grid is any indication—it will continue to in the future.

Since I’ve been working from home more often, I decided to create my own work space so that I can stay grounded, focused, and balanced during these crazy times we are all living through right now.

Here are some work from home tips that you can implement for yourself !

Simplify Your Life

Create the lifestyle that you want by taking inventory on what is most important to you. This is imperative! You must prioritize your likes and dislikes so that you can start simplifying your surroundings. You want to feel uplifted and inspired as soon as you walk into your work space.

I decided to create my work space in the finished basement of our house. This is actually the last space that I thought I would have chosen for myself!

But every time I ventured down there to do some work, I instantly felt calm and relaxed which allowed me to focus better. It is also very quiet in this space which fosters a feeling of peace. Creating a sense of tranquility and calmness is a priority in simplifying my workspace. What is yours?

Let Go of Unnecessary Attachments

This one can be a challenge, but it is definitely worth cleaning-house and getting rid of those unnecessary attachments, especially possessions that you’ve held onto for dear life which are now existing well-past their intended purpose.

In my case, the basement was full of infant and toddler toys from when my husband’s kids were little. I have nothing against children’s toys, but both of his kids are fully grown and not living in the house. There were even a couple of childhood art decorations that were still hanging on the walls.

My husband and I went to town and cleaned-house! We filled at least a dozen trash bags with infant and toddler play things. I can’t tell you how good it felt to release those possessions!! After clearing those toys, the basement literally felt like a new space. It was completely transformed from a kiddo room to a cozy and uplifting work environment. Yes, definitely worth it.

Start now and don’t hesitate to let go!

Become a Minimalist

This one goes back to prioritizing the physical things that you want in your surroundings, and letting go of the clutter that no longer serves you. What is important to you? For me, I love the beach, essential oils, cozy lighting, and the atmosphere that is created from a Himalayan salt lamp.

After removing the toys, I added a combination of everything that I LOVE.

We had a fake tree in storage, so I moved it into the basement and decorated it with white fairy lights which creates a soothing ambience.
I added a hexagonal mirror and a picture of the beach for wall decorations.
I had two of my favorite lamps in storage, so I transferred them to the basement and voila! These lamps add extra lighting to the space which brightens the entire area, helping me to stay sharp and motivated.
I moved one of my Himalayan rock salt lamps to the space and LOVE the vibe it gives off! Besides providing a warm, amber glow it’s supposed to be healthy for you too. Salt lamps help to clean the air in your home and elevate your mood.
And last but not least, I have an essential oil diffuser that emits lovely scents throughout the air, filling the entire workspace with an exquisite aroma. My favorite essential oil combo is lavender & orange.

Good luck creating your work-from-home space by simplifying your life, letting go of unnecessary attachments, and becoming a minimalist by only keeping possessions in your work space that uplift you and inspire you!

Authored by admin @ Inspire Your Journey

A New Path: Common Reasons People Live Off-the-Grid