My intention was to finish my blogs on Off Grid living, but such has been the interest and curiosity that I shall add a little bit more.
As previously mentioned, I spent part of my childhood in a very remote area, totally Off Grid, and have never forgotten it.
My recollections are of living in a "magical bubble", where I could be part of the natural world and have access to birds, animals and all sorts of wonderful country pursuits.
I had no idea of course that it was a struggle for my parents, as making a living was hard for them, as the work was constant with no labour saving devices, and finances were very tight.
Being an only child, and living so remotely, my vivid imagination was my companion.
I was always busy and didn`t ever feel lonely, and enjoyed amazing exploits and adventures.
For those choosing an Off Grid lifestyle today, there are some very big differences.
Due to improvement and availability of basic utility installation requirements, and the many benefits of modern inventions, it makes a huge contrast with the sheer drudgery and hard labour of previous generations.
The most noticeable game changer has to be internet connection as it has revolutionized everything.
It allows wide communication, gives employment options, provides educational links and brings together like minded people who can support one and other with knowledge and expertise.
Not everyone chooses Off Grid living for the same reasons.
To find out some of the differences, YouTube videos are a great place to access a variety of Off Grid projects.
I have a few favourites which are all quite different.
One features a couple who have spent years travelling the world in a van, and have now put down roots by not only living Off Grid, but by renovating a derelict property.
Their rationale is to still have the ability to travel, use their creative and renovating skills whilst embracing the natural world and being self sufficient and independent.
They find ingenious ways around complex difficulties, and whilst they live Off Grid, they make use of modern advances to achieve comfort, whilst enjoying a more sustainable life.
As they had opted out of main stream life many years ago, they are very technologically savvy, and have many income streams going on as well as their YouTube channel.
Chateaux renovations are extremely popular, and have caught the public imagination as there are many examples of some very interesting projects.
Restoring these beautiful romantic buildings, must be the ultimate in living the dream!
I like one in particular, which highlights the enormity of the challenge facing the individual who is tackling the project practically single handed.
He is not particularly wanting to escape the fast pace of life, but is looking at restoring a piece of history whilst unleashing his practical and creative skills, and ultimately will make a financial profit from his investment.
His YouTube audience is generally spell bound as he tackles intimidating structural challenges mostly on his own.
Being without mains services, he has installed the basics whilst living on site.
Undoubtedly, he will be very much in demand once he finishes the project, as many will want to ask for his advice, and he will be generating a healthy income as his channel is so popular.
My third choice features a couple who really do want to revisit a past way of life by carrying out tasks in traditional ways. They inhabit a tiny remote island where they have to row themselves in a small boat in order to reach the mainland where they keep their car, collect mail and access services.
Their aim is to be self sufficient and enjoy their beautiful location whilst restoring long forgotten skills, and living life at a slower pace, whilst researching and piecing together the remnants and history of by gone days which surround them.
They are new to the YouTube video world, and are experimenting with on line earning options.
The fourth video features a family who gave up urban life and recently finished van travelling around Europe, which also incorporated home schooling.
They have purchased a small holding which is uninhabitable at present, so they have many challenges ahead.
Not only do they need to adapt to Off Grid rural life, but have to take on the huge project of completely renovating the dwelling to make it habitable.
They are looking at Off Grid life as an escape from the busy merry go round of life, and finding a more meaningful alternative closer to the natural world, in a beautiful scenic area.
They hope to create a family home and become self sufficient on their extensive area of land.
They are self employed online which keeps an income stream flowing.
These four illustrations show four very different reasons for living Off Grid.
However, they have one thing in common, and that is their ability to record daily life and put it out there for the world to see.
YouTube provides a platform which is viewed around the world, so regardless of how remote or lacking in facilities Off Gridders might be, providing they have a functioning signal, their contributions can be seen by a vast audience.
The YouTube world is complicated when it comes to generating finance, but suffice to say, if a YouTube channel audience attracts a certain number of subscribers, some serious money can be made, and is being made by many.
Not only that, but it can become a vehicle for advertising and sponsorship, and of course generates a huge amount of interest in Off Grid living.
Quite suddenly, individuals can become mini celebrities who go on to write books and are in demand as public speakers.
What started as an escape can often turn into a whole new career!
It has to be emphasized that these are the lucky ones, and for every video which becomes popular with the public, there will be thousands which never make it.
It`s comparable to teenage girls who want to be famous pop singers like certain icons. One or two will make it, and the rest will not.
Any idea of automatically uploading an Off Grid video and expecting thousands of subscribers should be given a reality check.
There is also a huge amount of work which has to go into producing these videos on top of an already busy Off Grid life.
Photography, editing, perhaps music, and uploading to YouTube have to be done on a regular basis. There is a lot to think about to achieve a polished, attractive, professional film full of interesting content, which will stand out from all the others.
Living Off Grid can be a success, whether you go down the YouTube route or not, but it does highlight the need for generating income whether on or off line.
Doing some in depth research together with realistic expectations, commitment and a good work ethic will help to get an Off Grid project started.
Depending on how authentic one wants to be, the general advice seems to be, although stepping back from the relentless treadmill of modern life and techno overload, there is nothing wrong with taking advantage of how technology can improve an Off Grid situation if used wisely.
After all, the wheel would never have been invented, if we had remained in the past!
