As cities become unaffordable and property itself becomes a liability, people who once equated rootedness with security are reconsidering whether resilience may depend on the ability to move.
“Letting go of a house, a city, a profession, or a political tribe that has become part of our identity can feel less like adaptation than failure, but holding on is not the same as remaining strong.”
Wow! I regularly read multiple Substacks, and so many “break their necks” to refine already refined points, solely preach to the converted or righteously declare “this hill I will die on.” Thank you CL for not submitting to the sameness. You make me think —and feel. “I don’t know” is not the same as “I don’t care.” Thanks for the honesty and keeping it real.
I think that the people that stay in the cities are like the frogs in the pot of water on the stove. They have grown so accustomed to the awful things as they have gotten worse that they just don't notice them.
I see the appeal of the nomadic approach. I just would hate to give up my quality of life. Maybe if you are one of those who spend their time sitting in front of a television. All the things that I do instead require "stuff." Tools, materials, and other equipment. It just wouldn't be feasible in a mobile lifestyle. Then all the logistics that mobility involves. Simple things like going to the dentist and the bank. Dealing with insurance, mail, taxes, vehicle registration.
For my circumstances, I think that in a smaller city or town is the best option. I have done the rural thing and at my stage in life, I don't want to go that route.
One of your best articles that I have read to date!!! Well done, INDEED!
"before committing yourself to a new life, “rent the lifestyle.”"... That's the best advice that I've heard on the subject of changing one's lifestyle.
This is a very powerful argument for changing the ‘model’ of resilience as the conditions change. Thanks for including my story of the film showing. To finish the story we received an email from ‘angry’ man.
He said “ How surprised he was that such a right wing propaganda film could be shown at the Cinema Club. That it contained dangerous stuff that challenged Vaccinations and Climate Change and should not have been shown”.
Given one of the messages of the film was about censorship this seemed the ultimate irony. But then he obviously had better judgement than the rest of us 😂
As you say in the article you are much more visible in a village than a city. This was a great exercise in knowing who was open, who was willing to talk about ‘stuff’ and who could be a threat in the future.
“Letting go of a house, a city, a profession, or a political tribe that has become part of our identity can feel less like adaptation than failure, but holding on is not the same as remaining strong.”
Wow! I regularly read multiple Substacks, and so many “break their necks” to refine already refined points, solely preach to the converted or righteously declare “this hill I will die on.” Thank you CL for not submitting to the sameness. You make me think —and feel. “I don’t know” is not the same as “I don’t care.” Thanks for the honesty and keeping it real.
I think that the people that stay in the cities are like the frogs in the pot of water on the stove. They have grown so accustomed to the awful things as they have gotten worse that they just don't notice them.
I see the appeal of the nomadic approach. I just would hate to give up my quality of life. Maybe if you are one of those who spend their time sitting in front of a television. All the things that I do instead require "stuff." Tools, materials, and other equipment. It just wouldn't be feasible in a mobile lifestyle. Then all the logistics that mobility involves. Simple things like going to the dentist and the bank. Dealing with insurance, mail, taxes, vehicle registration.
For my circumstances, I think that in a smaller city or town is the best option. I have done the rural thing and at my stage in life, I don't want to go that route.
This goes into the "Keeper" folder!!! :)
One of your best articles that I have read to date!!! Well done, INDEED!
"before committing yourself to a new life, “rent the lifestyle.”"... That's the best advice that I've heard on the subject of changing one's lifestyle.
We have had the author of The Agenda speak at our church… quite insightful.
This was good…. Thank you for sharing this.
And excellent perspective.
This is a very powerful argument for changing the ‘model’ of resilience as the conditions change. Thanks for including my story of the film showing. To finish the story we received an email from ‘angry’ man.
He said “ How surprised he was that such a right wing propaganda film could be shown at the Cinema Club. That it contained dangerous stuff that challenged Vaccinations and Climate Change and should not have been shown”.
Given one of the messages of the film was about censorship this seemed the ultimate irony. But then he obviously had better judgement than the rest of us 😂
As you say in the article you are much more visible in a village than a city. This was a great exercise in knowing who was open, who was willing to talk about ‘stuff’ and who could be a threat in the future.
That man’s reaction and his “followers” exiting, would give me great pause… I would at least start planning an exit strategy.