A life beyond oil

In my last post, I mentioned the importance of moving in a specific direction, as opposed to simply fleeing in any direction. If you're like most people, you're largely unprepared to have a workable vision of what a world without oil might look like. I understand that feeling because I was there myself just a few years ago. To be honest, I used oil and its many incarnations with virtually no regard or consideration of it. It was the backdrop for all of my activities, and it was just there. I took it for granted.

Now with the oil shock at hand, everyone is having to quickly digest the starring role that oil plays in virtually every aspect of their lives. Some people are literally running away. Some people are turning away in denial. Others languish in apathy.

So how do you find the thing that you want to move toward during this crisis? Lets start simple and refine the vision from there.

First, imagine some of the things already in your life that are not completely energy dependent. If you have kids, this may be when you go to the park together, or read a book. If you're single, maybe its a hobby, or hanging out with friends. You get the idea. These are simple pleasures, and they abound! Next, think about one layer up... what are some things you enjoy that are moderately energy intensive. How can you make these less consumptive? Do you like to eat a good meal? Well, I can tell you from personal experience fresh produce from the Farmer's Market is better tasting than anything you can get at the store, and the same goes for meat. Pasture fed meats are significantly leaner and better for you. Plus, you are helping develop regional sustainability by "voting" for local food production with your money.

Now, it gets a little harder in the next phase of this exercise. What are the highly consumptive things you enjoy? Can you think of things to replace them if you had to? Chances are, there are some equally beneficial qualities that every trade will have if you look for them. Plus, there's the money savings, reduced environmental impact and much better chance of weathering the changes now and in the future.

So, the hardest part comes last, and this is where you really have to use your imagination. Imagine all those great things that you just thought up. What does the total package look like? Do you live in a house or an apartment? Does your living space have a big garden? Are you working from home and telecommuting? Are you starting your own business? Are you finding the local Farmer's Market?

Once you have these things closer to a picture you can live with, write out a list of concrete qualities your future situation will have. For example:

- less TV (or NO TV) and more time in the garden
- small apartment with a community garden plot and CSA membership
- renewable power from the power company
- cook 90% of meals at home
- read at 1 book a week detailing traditional skills
- learn how to preserve food
- create a stock of food and other supplies
- low/no debt
- join a carpool

Some of these things are small and fairly easy to do, while others will take planning, dedication and resolve. The key though is knowing where you are going. You're not panicking trying to figure out what to cut out of your life... you are finding even more rewarding replacements!

I postulate that every minute you save using a modern convenience actually takes 2 minutes away from your life. You just don't see it until it is too late. When I made these changes in my life, I lost 60 pounds, lost my chronic health problems and found renewed personal strength in knowing I can take care of myself. It was not easy by any means, but the rewards are richer than you can imagine. When you simplify, you discover amazing appreciation for those simple pleasures. That's how we're supposed to live. Ironically that is what carried us through to this point. It's only a recent phenomenon that we are overwhelmed with excess and endless choices. There was no way this could go on for ever. So it's up to you and me to draw a picture of what life is like in a world without oil.

Send me your top lists of qualities your new life will have and maybe I can help you get there. I'm pretty good at that sort of thing.