by Anne Taylor

Created on: April 11, 2009

Didn't the Flintstones make primitive living look enjoyable? But you never saw Wilma have to squat in the woods, did you? Nor did you have to watch Fred start a fire with only a bow and dried moss. Even Robert Redford made it look easy in Jeremiah Johnson (1972). But the reality of primitive living is that it is not for the faint-of-heart.

This does not mean you cannot live primitively, just be sure it is something you want.

In today's day and age primitive living can be defined as "living off the land", without modern day conveniences. But what does that really mean?

First, forget the Internet. Unless you have a wireless laptop that is connected to a generator that you hand crank. Primitive living does not have electricity. So say good bye to television, air conditioning, and most modern appliances you have grown to depend on. Running water is another luxury you will not have access to, unless you set your site near a river or stream.

But the first item on your agenda as you start your primitive life is SHELTER.

In the beginning you can get away with the tent you brought with you. You did remember the tent, right? But ultimately you will want a permanent structure. That will require tools and at least a small amount of engineering design. Be sure to look all this up on the Internet before you go "cold turkey".

Another necessity that you will now have to worry about is food. Pizza Hut does not deliver out in the wilderness, so you are now on your own. You must fish, hunt and gather if you want to eat. Can you kill a living animal to make a meal? This will be an on-going chore that you will deal with daily. It will probably take up the majority of your time. Be sure primitive life is what you want.

Eventually, if you find a place to stay, and you build a stable shelter, and have your food sources identified, you will need to address your clothing. Primitive living is hard on clothing, and unless you brought a truckload of clothing, you will be looking at utilizing hides from animals you hopefully used for a food source. Tanning hides can be done primitively, be sure you look this up on the Internet when you start your planning.

Personal hygiene and health issues are other areas that need to be addressed, when you decide to go primitive. You will get dirty, and you may get sick. Are you going to be able to adjust to odors? Are you knowledgeable on medicinal plants? Do you mind bug bites, sunburn, and lots of scratches?

Define primitive for yourself. Some, like my ex, define primitive as lacking "hot" water. Others can go so far as to define primitive as no modern conveniences, i.e.: electricity. I am somewhere in the middle. Primitive to me is best defined as "additional hardships".

Which hardships you are willing to put up with, best defines the level of primitive living you are capable of living with. As a person that is well aware of the effects of "global warming", I feel everyone must live as primitively as they can.

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