When the world moves on

[fitkoh]

I used to post here and on a few similar forums a couple of years ago.

I won't bore anyone with the details, but the circumstances surrounding my life became more and more difficult. I was feeling very lonely and futile. I decided that society was not for me.

For some reason I got the idea in my head to sell all of my possessions and walk off into the wilderness. So that is exactly what I did.

I learned a lot about myself in those years, while forgetting a lot I had learned about everything else. I didn't succeed in acquiring any trophies or any noteworthy accomplishments, but I did get a new appreciation for simple things like a full belly and a roof in the rain.

After two years of relative isolation, I found myself feeling lonesome again, and I noticed I was developing a bad temper which I decided was due to a lack of socialization, so I made my way back to the big city.

Everywhere I go I get mixed feelings. I hear people complain about the heat when they are inside in the air conditioning. People talk about how they are stricken with poverty so badly they cannot afford taco bell, but pantry is full of noodles waiting to be cooked. Everyone cries about rent or mortgage, even if they have never had to sleep under a tree. It just doesn't make sense to me anymore to live this way. I don't rely on a vehicle to travel because I appreciate having feet and legs, and for this people think I'm wierd.

I don't know how long I'll last here in the city. My current plan, if no other doors are opened for me, is to take whatever work I can find for a few months, take a bus to the other side of the country, and walk off again into the wilderness.

In between here and there, if it pleases the community, perhaps I can share some tidbit or morsel that may be of some use to someone. I've got plenty of time on my hands, and a great appreciation for being able to connect with others, even a connection as delicate and tenuous as the internet.

Sincerely,

 

[Genesis]

@fitkoh I remember when you posted two years ago - can't believe that it's been that long. Wow!

Thank you for sharing your story - was wondering what happened. I think you'll be surprised to know how many people are exactly where you are - isolated. And trying to find a way to work with humanity. It's not an easy existence. I myself have been completely isolated for a while now. I guess you're on the right track with doing the earn a living thing as long as you can do it. Then see what the next best thing is.

Wishing you everything of the best you do. Takes courage to do it this way!

 

[Yozora]

Wow, that's pretty interesting @"fitkoh"! I've always thought about doing something like that one day, especially after I read the book called "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau. In the end I'm too reliant on the internet and couldn't go through with it though. Do you have any stories or tidbits about your time in the wilderness that you wouldn't mind sharing?

I totally agree about people's complaints. My mother passed away recently, and that's another life-changing experience that makes one feel like many of the things people complain about are kind of petty. In a sense, they often won't know how privileged they are now unless something shakes up their world completely. I don't blame them, but it's hard to listen to sometimes.

 

[fitkoh]

Wow, that's pretty interesting @"fitkoh"! I've always thought about doing something like that one day, especially after I read the book called "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau. In the end I'm too reliant on the internet and couldn't go through with it though. Do you have any stories or tidbits about your time in the wilderness that you wouldn't mind sharing?

I totally agree about people's complaints. My mother passed away recently, and that's another life-changing experience that makes one feel like many of the things people complain about are kind of petty. In a sense, they often won't know how privileged they are now unless something shakes up their world completely. I don't blame them, but it's hard to listen to sometimes.

Stories I have in abundance, if not much else.

My very first night alone in the wilderness, I pitched a tarp between two trees using rope to hold up the roof and rocks to secure it to the ground. I started a small efficient fire in a pre-existing fire ring and cooked a simple supper of rice and beans. The beans, which I hadn't yet learned to soak, were a bit crunchy.

About this time I noticed a visitor, a rather healthy looking field mouse about twice the size of my fist skirting between the flickering shadows briefly illuminated by the fire. My inexperience did not yet include the knowledge of how to hang ones belongings from a tree or how to make a mouse hang to stave off hungry rodents. The specter of fear crept in as I saw myself waking up with bags torn open and all of my food stores scattered about and nibbled upon.

I didn't know what else to do so I prayed as hard as I could to any God that would listen to protect my belongings from the hungry and bold rodent still flittering back and forth between the shadows. I prayed that I wouldn't starve alone in the wilderness for the benefit of the fat mouse, and lay myself down on an inflatable pad and crept inside of my sleeping bag liner to rest (it was summertime and still quite warm), using my backpack as a pillow.

I woke early the next morning, before the sun was visible over the hills, and immediately grabbed my backpack to examine what was stolen in the night. To my great surprise, nothing was damaged.

Underneath my pack was a very healthy looking mottled brown snake, about 5 feet long and as thick as my wrist. I counted my blessings and grabbed a long stick to urge the snake on its way.

I learned on that day to never underestimate the power of prayer, and always be careful what you wish for.

 

[Yozora]

Wow, that's pretty interesting @"fitkoh"! I've always thought about doing something like that one day, especially after I read the book called "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau. In the end I'm too reliant on the internet and couldn't go through with it though. Do you have any stories or tidbits about your time in the wilderness that you wouldn't mind sharing?

I totally agree about people's complaints. My mother passed away recently, and that's another life-changing experience that makes one feel like many of the things people complain about are kind of petty. In a sense, they often won't know how privileged they are now unless something shakes up their world completely. I don't blame them, but it's hard to listen to sometimes.

Stories I have in abundance, if not much else.

My very first night alone in the wilderness, I pitched a tarp between two trees using rope to hold up the roof and rocks to secure it to the ground. I started a small efficient fire in a pre-existing fire ring and cooked a simple supper of rice and beans. The beans, which I hadn't yet learned to soak, were a bit crunchy.

About this time I noticed a visitor, a rather healthy looking field mouse about twice the size of my fist skirting between the flickering shadows briefly illuminated by the fire. My inexperience did not yet include the knowledge of how to hang ones belongings from a tree or how to make a mouse hang to stave off hungry rodents. The specter of fear crept in as I saw myself waking up with bags torn open and all of my food stores scattered about and nibbled upon.

I didn't know what else to do so I prayed as hard as I could to any God that would listen to protect my belongings from the hungry and bold rodent still flittering back and forth between the shadows. I prayed that I wouldn't starve alone in the wilderness for the benefit of the fat mouse, and lay myself down on an inflatable pad and crept inside of my sleeping bag liner to rest (it was summertime and still quite warm), using my backpack as a pillow.

I woke early the next morning, before the sun was visible over the hills, and immediately grabbed my backpack to examine what was stolen in the night. To my great surprise, nothing was damaged.

Underneath my pack was a very healthy looking mottled brown snake, about 5 feet long and as thick as my wrist. I counted my blessings and grabbed a long stick to urge the snake on its way.

I learned on that day to never underestimate the power of prayer, and always be careful what you wish for.

Wow, it's pretty amazing nothing was damaged! Also, you're a great storyteller. If you ever decided to write a book, I would totally read it! :smile: