a Layman with nothing to start with

I just joined permies.com today and am extremely excited about it!

I have been struggling real hard to get a start on a sustainable lifestyle without having a clue where to begin. I've been a day late and a dollar short for a long time now. I am currently playing the roll of the brother living a jeep in my sisters driveway in Southern NH.
For over 2 years now I've read, watched videos, heard stories and even imagined my own homestead living. I always seem ready to start go and be proactive about what i want to do but i end up feeling alone among the people i know and love about my ideas and fall into the trap and sadness that comes along with an electric bill a grocery bill heating and gas prices.
winter is right around the corner and am ready again to go and be happy working for a better life. I know homesteading is extremely hard and i am aware of the risks but i want the hard work and take the risks doing what i know is right for me. i have never dreamed of something as long as i have been about one thing in my life until i came across the idea of sustainable living. i sleep with the thoughts of it and wake with them. Its like i in love.
I know all of you who read this want to say to me " JUST GET UP AND GO!" and i will. but, i still feel alone.
What i hope to accomplish from this first posting of mine is a chance to network and get ideas where to begin when you have nothing but ideas and the dream of a new start.
thank you all for reading
- Tommy

If there's one thing you can get out of forum like this one, it is the realization that you are not, alone. And that is of tremendous importance.

I discovered permaculture just a few months ago, and did a 2-week permaculture course. It was a real awakening for me, and I found true inspiration in it. But perhaps what's even more important, is that I found a community of people who share my concerns, my view of the world, my desire to build something better, more sustainable.

Just remember, you're not alone.

Good luck.

Olivier

Thanks Olivier , maybe I should look for some community events or classes in the New England area. I am glad there are people out there with these interests. As a newbie to permaculture and self sustaining living, I hope to find people sooner then later - cause I am getting restless!
I can only watch so many videos and read so many books with out getting my hands dirty.

Welcome to Permies.com!

Thanks Ken, glad to be here!

I need help on 6 acre central Pa farm 50 miles NW Harrisburg, Pa


check out my site here in central pa

http://directory.ic.org/22661/Central_Pa_Mountain_farm___for_Hip_open_minded_people

Thomas, I liked what you said about your feelings about sustainable living being like being in love. That's how it is for me too. Life keeps going at full speed, despite my fantasies. I do what I can, my situation is different from yours but I can relate. I am lucky enough to be on a little spot of land, but with teenagers and two year old twins and another on the way, there is a lot to keep up with. Plus, there is politics, my husband ran for US Congress last year as an Independent against the behemoth two party system and he's likely to do it again next year.

You are right, you just get out there and do something. Can't do everything, and you've got to forgive yourself for that, but there is a lot of good stuff to do. I hope you have been able to find yourself among like minded people lately. I will be offering some spring and summer workshops, maybe you'd like to get your hands dirty in Rhode Island this year:)

This site is a great resource for knowing you are not alone in this. What made me join was actually a forum asking if there were other permaculture people in the are that I lived. I was pleasantly surprised by just how many people responded because I was feeling like I was a lone island of Permaculture "love and desire". It is a hard concept to explain to people that don't know what it is and I definitely get some strange looks, but I want to continue to move forward. I will be starting the development of my urban lot this spring and have to manage my excitement and expectations on the speed of things since I work full time and will be limited with resources too. I need to keep my mind focused on what I can do right now to get things moving and only briefly glance at the whole picture or I am apt to get a bit overwhelmed. It is a labor of love that will develop over time.

I hope you have found a place to start to realize your dream. You are not alone out there. If you can't find people locally, don't rule out your online connections. You will get a ton of support and keep you from feeling alone in this new adventure in your life.

Matu Collins wrote:My husband ran for US Congress last year as an Independent against the behemoth two party system and he's likely to do it again next year.

Is your husband Abel Collins from Charlestown?

You can start by attending farmers markets and getting to know vendors. They are the kind of people who can get you in touch with like minded people. Also you can get in touch with your local transition town group, if there is one. You are definitely not alone and I think we all have had the aliens among earthlings feelings. Good luck.