It’s been estimated that around 75,000 people have made the switch to off-grid living in the UK. For every one of the adventurers already enjoying a more fulfilling life, there are bound to be others who find the idea appealing, but don’t really know much about the practical side of the equation. Ultimately, whiling away your evenings among the sights and sounds of nature is a romantic notion but, in practise, what does it take to live off-grid?
There are tons of articles out there explaining how the likes of Tiny Houses and shipping container homes are changing perceptions of the way we live. However, there are precious few offering real life advice about the day-to-day realities.
To remedy this, we were lucky enough to spend some time with a practising advocate of sustainable living. Ian Freeborn has spent over 30 years dwelling off-grid, so knows exactly what it takes to be truly self-sufficient. Here, he illuminates this often unexplained lifestyle with priceless insights gleaned from a compelling life’s journey.
Living Off the Grid: Meanings and Definitions Simplified
If you ask 10 people to define the meaning of living off-grid, you’ll probably get 10 different answers. For Ian, it’s relatively simple. He says, “It’s being as self-sufficient as possible, and not dependent on mainstream society for either water, food, shelter, or energy…those four basic human needs. Anyone that’s looking into living off-grid will soon become aware of where those things are coming from.”
In Ian’s opinion, this also means thinking less about what you might need to get by and instead focusing on the sacrifices you’re prepared to make. He explains that, “The main thing I always say to people about being off grid is it’s not really about what you live with, it’s what you live without. And the key thing that I want to live without is a letterbox, [ideally] with bills coming through it!”
Jokes aside, at its core, off-grid life isn’t really dependent on the form your life takes. Whether you’re living in a shipping container, mobile home, or van, it all comes down to how prepared you are to make sacrifices. For those who do, the advantages are plentiful.
The Benefits of Life Off-Grid
Do you enjoy the great outdoors? Perhaps you’ve found that the rustle of leaves and chirping of blackbirds is all it takes to emotionally and spiritually recentre? If this is you, Ian suggests that this nourishing lifestyle could be a great option.
It works for him because, as he explains, “I really have a strong connection with nature and I like to be outdoors. I spend most of my time outdoors. Because of my strong connection with nature, [I enjoy] being in that environment where I can just be sat, looking out the window and seeing loads of trees and wildlife. That’s my happy place and that’s where I choose to be and that’s why I chose to live off-grid most of my life, because that’s really important to me.”
The steady increase in off-grid enthusiasts suggests that the pleasure to be found in trading skyscrapers for streams isn’t unique to Ian. And it’s easy to see why. Aside from the stunning surroundings, there’s also the likelihood of reduced living expenses, greater independence, and a minimal carbon footprint to enjoy. Do these factors help to explain the studies suggesting two hours per week in the great outdoors improves mental (and physical) health?
On the subject of these benefits, he says, “From a mental health point of view, and from a stability point of view, I feel connected with nature. Yeah, I feel blessed. I’ve been able to engineer a position in my life that allows me to do that, pretty much whenever I want to.”
Less bills, breathtaking views, no more rush hour trains, and a clear head. Sounds amazing, but is there anything you should know before you take the plunge?
What Does it Take to Live Off Grid? The Everyday Challenges
If you’re asking, “What does it take to live off-grid?” it’s important to receive a balanced response forged in hard-earned experience. This means thinking about features you might currently take for granted, such as energy consumption and seemingly minor daily priorities. Although Ian clearly enjoys a simpler existence, he urges potential sustainable lifers to think about these challenges before making a commitment.
What kind of subjects occupy his thoughts on an ‘average’ day? “What you’re going to use your energy on,” he says without hesitation. “You only have a certain amount of energy for each day — and you only have so many watts to go about all your daily business.”
Making tough decisions is at the core of the lifestyle for people like Ian. In fact, it might even put a strain on a viewer’s relationship with the latest soap operas. “With electricity, when you actually run out, you think, ‘I wish I hadn’t watched bloody EastEnders earlier, and I’d be able to cook some dinner now!” This, he says, instils an invaluable ability to separate needs from wants.
“What do I really want to prioritise?” he reflects. “Some people absolutely need to have a hot cup of coffee every morning and other people will have their own different priorities and needs. So the first step to being off-grid is actually rethinking and assessing what your energy requirements and actual needs are. And then you might think, actually, I can kind of get away without having a hot cup of coffee every morning if it means that I can use my energy for another purpose instead.”
Although making sacrifices is currently a fundamental aspect of living sustainably, the picture is always improving. From long-lasting lithium batteries to the latest water filtration systems, there are a range of promising options for anyone who is drawn to the lifestyle but concerned by the demands. These constant advances in technology are designed to address the main challenges of a back-to-nature existence. Who knows what new solutions could be in store as progress continues to march ever-forward?
Ian’s Story: 30-Years Off-Grid
Ian has been on a fascinating journey towards self-sufficiency. Although his progress was originally borne out of necessity, it soon turned into a lifelong passion. Clearly he was cut out for sustainable living from an early age and has seen this flower in adulthood. So how did it all begin for him?
“I’ve been living off-grid virtually my whole life, since I was 20 and came back from university.” Facing reduced living space, he was forced to think on his feet. “I took a wooden garden shed and put a brick extension on the side. I ended up living in that for seven years. It was completely off-grid, apart from a phone line.”
One of the biggest challenges for any off-gridder is regulating heat. There are lots of options out there for sustainable energy sources, from solar panels to biomass boilers. So, what did he do to stay warm during the chilly winter months?
“I had a log burning fire and I lived in this lovely garden shed for seven years.” For Ian, these humble beginnings were just the start. “I then bought a van and converted it into a motorhome. I’ve had one of those ever since, and I’m almost 61 now. I’ve lived off-grid most of my life since.”
His next step was to purchase a plot of land and expand further. He says, “I bought a small holding eight years ago and I got 13 acres of land and I live there, in my motorhome, half the time. I’m still trying to make the jump to become completely off-grid and completely self-sufficient.”
Ian suggests that it’s possible to adapt by taking smaller steps to ease gradually into the experience, saying, “[For many people] it could be a halfway house for a period of time to get used to those things. That might mean living in a van part of the time, or even going off hiking in the hills for two weeks with a tent and really assessing what your basic needs are.”
Tips For Budding Off-Gridders
As someone well-versed in the rigours of staying outdoors, Ian is perfectly placed to give advice on the subject. Understandably, energy efficiency is one of his biggest areas of consideration. However, he also encourages people to take the time to resolve other vital factors, such as their food supply and storage space.
His top tips for making a more seamless transition into off-grid living include:
- Take Advantage of Passive Heating: Orient your unit from north to south to expose your living space to sunlight for as much of the day as possible.
- Install Good Insulation: Adequate insulation can make your home more energy efficient.
- Get Triple Glazed Windows: The extra sealed space you find between three panes of glass will help you to retain warmth for longer.
- Do Odd Jobs: It’s not uncommon for people who live in shipping containers on farms to pick fruit or help out with other tasks such as lambing in exchange for access to a small plot of land and some food supplies.
- Think About Storage: The likes of food and wood pellets will need to be carefully stored in order to stay dry and untainted. If you don’t have access to storage space, think about people who can help with this.
Take it Slowly: Self-sufficiency is a progressive scale that shouldn’t be rushed. Ease yourself into the lifestyle, as every little bit that you can do will help you in the long-term.
Start Your New Life Today with Live Off-Grid
Are you ready to join the thousands of people who have already started their exciting new life? It’s a challenging journey for sure, but one that offers incredible potential benefits. From young couples struggling to get a grip on the property ladder to families who want to start afresh and reconnect with nature, more and more people are making the switch.
Live Off-Grid was founded as a counterpoint to the strain and excess of modern living. By repurposing shipping containers into modern and elegant dwellings, we have been able to provide access to all the benefits of self-sufficient living without compromising on comfort. Our units range from cosy Tiny Houses to vast interlocked containers such as the stunning Saturn. Alongside living spaces, they can be used as offices, gyms, social spaces, and much more.
If you consider yourself to be a potential pioneer like Ian, the star of our article, now could be the time to make the change. A fulfilling new life could be out there waiting for you.
To find out more, get in touch with us today.
