I’m glad that unschooling is working for you. We’ve seen examples that make us want more for our kids; so we have a bit of daily work. Mind you it’s interesting how bath time can involve screams about getting wet; and yet a swimming class (with someone else as teacher) can have the same child dunking their head and not complaining as they fail to stay afloat!

What’s shocked me was just how much useless homework kids get these days (public school). It seems it’s not enough to consume their time at school!

Lately my life out here in “civilization” seems more and more unreal. It’s really hard to convince people who know and can imagine nothing but our oil soaked way of life that anything else is either possible of desirable.

Peace,
G

Now the cheerleader in me insists on butting in here! This drop out life might be physically harder (somewhat, I mean… I like physical labor, myself), but it’s much more psychologically comfortable. Yes, as much as possible, I avoid anything that makes me feel icky, whether it’s voting, working a large quantity of my waking life, not having the time to nurture my kid (school, daycare), shopping…the list goes on (and I’m sure it’s different for all of us). That’s dropping out, sure, but it’s the dropping in that can make all the difference in living a reality-based life.

When I began to have time to nurture human relationships, the blessings began to flow. It’s just incredible how the universe, god, karma…whatever …flows whatever I need to me (though not always what I want). Part of that is, of course, the ability to see blessings everywhere I look. Not everyone can live in a ghetto and see that she’s really surrounded by beautiful people living in community in the garden of eden. I’m no fool, and I can see both realities all at once. I do everything I can to make my reality as living in the hands of the gods, so to speak. It’s chaos, it’s beauty, adventure, tragedy (inevitable, unfortunately), it’s full on hardcore love and passion.

And then the skeptic steps forth, for the final word. Yes, but beware, we are responsible for creating our own realities, and we must be up to that task before we break out of this black iron prison that many of us, entranced, mistake for the cave of treasures. (pkd)

If you’re the typical imaginative big-brained creative human who is capable of feeling emotions, you’ll probably adapt fairly well, and honestly, I highly encourage you!

Thanks for the pep talk. Now I have some more ideas about how to respond.
-G

I wanted to respond to Indra; writing comments on blog entries seems to be a good way to find like-minded people. I mean hey they are already reading the same things you are so there is at least that level of interest, and you may find that in the comments you have even more in common than just your likes of ‘surfing material’.

The case in point, I’m also located in Denmark (Aarhus area). Right now i work part-time from home, so don’t get out as much as id like, but i think soon ill be doing what you suggest and try the local cafes to try and find some like minded “non-workers”. My idea is that maybe we ‘non-workers’ can just think up things to do (make, build, experiment) and make a game of finding stuff (like dumpster-diving) and just brainstorm ways to make some smaller scale communities even here in Scandinavia.

Drop me an email at my blog if your in the Aarhus area or want to keep up communication.

I also unschool my kids at home. My eldest (age 13) is on par with her local public school peers and she still has time to paint, garden, draw, and tend animals. What is public school..if not free day care or pseudo parents? Public school has become so over reaching into the family now, that they claim they have guardianship over children during school hours! Like hell! Thankfully I joined a nice organization that sees things the same way as you… HSLDA. They are very religious (and not even my religion) but they have the right idea about how families should get to decide how they live their lives.

Chris R.
The Localizer Blog

Fogler probably never thought this would happen, but it is coming, and sooner than we think.

I actually look forward to this.

I think a lot of the oomph behind unjobbing is just to get people to THINK about what they are doing. A lot of people just try to make the most money they can, and spend 25% more than that. It sounds like you’ve thought about what you’re doing and are doing the best you can. That’s all any of us can do!

A supportive community is so important, especially for people with children. A kid needs a tribe as much as a parent. I am not sure how or why, but I seem to be able to hook up with a lot of people, from all kinds of backgrounds. I get so much emotional and spiritual support; it’s unbelievable! Several times I’ve had the experience of another mom-friend tell me that they owe me so much. And I am astonished, because I feel that I owe them so much. There is so much abundance, we all feel blessed!

I get the unjobbing concept for sure. Yet I don’t see how this would work for single parents with no family or other supports.

I am a single mother living in an expensive part of the country and can’t see a way out of the grind. I need to stay put where I am because I don’t want to take my child away from his father who lives here. I have a job that is very supportive. I work from home and so don’t need to worry about spending $ on fancy clothes, gas etc. We live very simply and still I am not sure how to live more simply without living on the street.

I guess as a single mother with no additional source of income, I don’t see how it is possible. Perhaps I need to open my eyes more and see some possibilities. I hope I don’t sound too frustrated, the frustration is not aimed at you, just the situation. Thanks for letting me vent.

Bright moments.

My community involves many stay-at-home moms, some with small children and some that homeschool. We do not always have a lot in common philosophically, other than we enjoy each others’ presence; we get the idea of community and we’re willing to put effort into a lasting relationship. I also know several scarcely employed artists, or what you might call life artists, who have the time to put care into a relationship. It can be frustrating to meet cool people, and not get to hang out, because they’re too busy. I mean, that’s just too bad! I have many friends and acquaintances that work, and we hang out on the rare occasion when we get the chance.

It amuses me that I was a total outcast growing up, with no friends. And now I have so many friends–I’m so blessed! I would not be where I am now without my community.