Chapter 1

Living Wild

*“*Tough times never last, but tough people do.” - Robert H. Schuller.

With solar panels and windmills becoming visible on every social media platform, living off

the grid has become the latest buzzword for nature enthusiasts and those seeking equal

reprieve from their gadget-filled lives. Home Power Magazine estimated that around

180,000 to 230,000 households in the United States are entirely remote. They have said

goodbye to public utilities like electricity, gas, and water. These off-gridders have no

connection with the governmental facilities, as they have chosen an independent,

autonomous, and self-reliant lifestyle. Many are tired of the daily grind, while others

believe in minimalism and don’t want to leave a huge carbon footprint behind.

However, off-grid living doesn’t mean settling in solitude in a far-off rustic place without

groceries. It can take several forms, and there are varying degrees to which you can go. For

instance, my friend Paul, who lives in a remote cabin with no utilities, is a proud off-

gridder. So is my niece Alex, staying in a suburban with alternative energy, water, and

waste management systems. Paul wanted to divorce himself from greed, corruption, and

materialism. So he wholly placed his home off the network, and Alex didn’t want to cut

ties, ultimately moving off from modern existence. Yet Off-grid living is a lifestyle choice