Lonely.

Hello.

I am from FL, currently living in Europe pursuing higher education in my work with animals. I am 26 and dedicated to a life of self-sufficiency... right now, I'm not able to do too much other than focus on my education.

I know when I am finished with my education and come home (2016), I will have the time and resources to work within the self-sufficiency/grass farm/homestead/permaculture/etc. community and meet like minded people. As it is now, I'm just a bit burnt out with those who are not of this mindset and feel 'stuck'. It is a very lonely and stagnate feeling to know what you want to have/do for your future but be currently unable to take proactive efforts towards creating it.

I am also a bit lost about where to go when I come home as there is nothing in particular keeping me in FL. I'm writing this because I'm wondering if maybe there are some members here who would be willing to be a sort of 'link' for me to this community in the States? I joined the forum because I thought this would be a good way to stay in the loop and learn more things, and I am learning a lot of course just by lurking... but I'd like to make some real connections with people and since I'm not actively *doing* anything right now other than my education, it is hard to participate in many of the conversations here.

Looking for a friend,
Marie

Hi Marie, and Welcome...

Something tells me you are not going to be lonely for long...this is a big community and growing on a global scale all over the world. The U.K. alone has a huge movement. I was an "animal husbandry" major in college (left to other adventures) and think your future is going to be bright...hang in there!

Regards,

j

Welcome, Marie. Hang in there. I think a lot of us feel cut off and isolated when we first decide to learn permiculture. That will change I suspect with young people like yourself leading the way.


There is a 'singles' section of the forums that might be a better place for an introduction than the 'meaningless drivel' forum. Welcome either way. Is your studies around Veterinary, Husbandry, or Biology?

Hello Marie! Welcome to permies!

I am sorry to hear that you feel the way you do right now, and I can relate. I'm in high school, and I have pretty big ideas on what I want to do as I get older. It is frustrating to be trapped in a location and time where you can't do what you want to do. It is definitely saddening at times, I agree. I handle it by volunteering as much as I can in my spare time. I'm a great listener, and I love hearing other people's stories. That is one of my favorite things about volunteering- hearing stories. Essentially, it is living off of the happiness of others.

My life is pretty uneventful, buried in my textbooks and studies, but I am hoping to start doing active research as soon as possible in college! I like experiments and projects, but I don't get to do a lot of them because my parents don't want me making a mess in the house and we don't live quite close enough to a college campus to make it convenient.

I plan to major in either Biochemistry or Environmental Engineering or somehow mix the two together. And the stress of deciding where I am going- already accepted to many places- is a little much for me. I am still waiting on a few universities to send out the final stuff, like admissions to honors colleges and other programs before making my final decision. Yeah, I will be cutting it close but I need to know everything from everyone I applied to before I can make the best choice.

In the Guide to Getting Help on Permaculture Projects thread, I have listed a bunch of resources to help with learning permaculture and creating a design.

There are a lot of permies in Florida! Just search wherever...on here, on Facebook, etc. I have a cluster of friends in and around Gainesville that I used to hang with, and I know there are more near Tampa, some near Orlando, and more further south......I bet there are a few near wherever you plan to live......

Hello Marie. I remember my first tour in Germany. I was only 18 and it was the first time I was away from family and friends. It was very lonely at times. I found that going out away from where I was stationed really made the transition easier for me. I was in Augsburg, Germany for 4 years. On long weekends I would take the train to Switzerland during the winter and the rest of the year I would take short trips to do Volksmarches. Once I got away from the regular grind I began to enjoy myself much more and the time flew by. If at all possible, take this time to learn about the culture where you are. Go out and meet the "locals" and you may find new friends that will last a lifetime. There are so many adventures waiting for you in life. Most of them will become glorious memories in the future. Best Wishes, Jeff

Well Marie ditto to what the others have said, be active here.

I love the line from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. about starting, "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step."

I would love to know what you are studying, are your current thoughts of working and permaculturing or are you looking for a good looking permaculturist? I'm neither good looking or a permaculturist. But I too am taking my first steps.

Have fun.

Where abouts in Europe are you Marie ?

David