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The year 2018 marked the beginning of a journey that would take us far beyond the familiar and into the heart of the unknown. Packed into our trusty van were not just our belongings but the hopes, dreams, and a determination to venture off the beaten path.
Little did we know that this leap of faith would unfold into a remarkable odyssey, transforming our lives in ways we could never have anticipated.
Arrival in Northern Spain: On the 19th of September, we found ourselves in the enchanting landscapes of Northern Spain. The following day, under the Spanish sun, we signed the paperwork that officially welcomed us to a 36-acre olive farm—a secluded haven surrounded by the beauty of nature. The emotions were a kaleidoscope: unbridled excitement for realizing our dreams, mingled with the trepidation of the unknown and the fear of potential failure.
Facing the Unknown: The path to off-grid living was not without its share of challenges. The determination to make it work, to defy the skeptics who might have doubted our decision to break away from the norm, fueled our every step. We faced uncertainties during the pandemic, weathered a fierce fire that swept our land, and mourned the sudden loss of a neighbour and friend. These trials were the crucible in which our resilience was tested and strengthened.
Lessons Learned Amidst Hardship: The journey was punctuated by moments of hardship—weeks without running water, malfunctioning boilers, unreliable power, failed attempts at cultivating vegetable gardens, and the regularity of our cars in the mechanic's garage. Yet, each challenge was a lesson, each setback an opportunity for growth. The fire of adversity only fueled our determination.
The Unwavering Commitment: Through it all, the temptation to abandon ship and return to the familiar lurked, but our commitment to the off-grid life stood unshaken. The resilience that emerged from facing adversity head-on became a cornerstone of our journey. The decision not to change a thing, even in the face of difficulties, echoes loudly.
A Journey of Transformation: As we reflect on these five years, we stand as living proof that dreams, when fueled by determination, can materialize into reality. Our off-grid life is not just a living arrangement; it's a transformative journey towards self-sufficiency, resilience, and an understanding that the extraordinary often lies in the ordinary.
Proudly looking back at how far we've come, we share our story as a testament to the power of trying, of pushing boundaries, and of discovering the extraordinary in the ordinary.
The hurdles, the setbacks, the tears—all woven into a tapestry of growth and resilience.
Our journey serves as an inspiration for those who dare to dream, reminding them that the pursuit of a meaningful, unconventional life is not just possible but profoundly rewarding.
Look, I'm not going to beat around the bush, living Off Grid can be hard at times, you will have to overcome challenges that you have never overcome before especially if you've never had experience maintaining a solar system, with basic plumbing and living with little water BUT in the grande scheme of things it is a beautiful way of life and the reality of being self reliant is that you will need to learn these skills.
If something goes wrong, it's on you - you can't grab your smart phone and call your electricty company to come and fix your cable or connection when you have an outage you are responsible for sorting it and knowing the right people to call when you need to.
I think one thing that stands out the most over these past 5 years living off grid in Spain is the upmost importance of community. Me and Jack would have been royally Fuc**d many times if it wasn't for the amazing community of friends around us. We support each other and help each other out when we can, especially because we are mostly living off grid and all have the same kinds of problems and challenges.
Whatever part of Spain you move to make sure you find a community of like minded individuals who you can count on when you need help. Being self reliant is tough so being part of a local community will be a gift that keeps on giving and will help you make friends.
You can usually find Ex Pat communities on Facebook and other social media platforms for your area!
The 1st chapter of your off grid journey starts right here and we can't to see how your story un-folds.
Georgia
Reflecting on 5 years of living my dream off grid life - pinch me! This is Freedom.
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