I want to give being homeless a go!

[dwixi]

I want to give being homeless a go... for like a cuple of weeks.
I think it would be a good growth experience. I don't want to do it now i want to do it in the sumer when I dont have the college commitment and it will be more sunny
Iv got it all planed out
ill sleep in farm fields the beach and this amazing secret garden I know about
There's this garden thats hidden up a lane on some back road and its huge! and beautiful! with waterfalls flowers and stuff Its like the best thing ever! It doesn't lock up at night and yeah.. Its private but there fine with people going there because noone does as its so remote. Also noone is their at night they don't live there AnyWAY!
Yeah..
Oh also.. food.. well.. I will busk my brohter got £60 a day busking and im better than him so it should be NO problem.. 15 mins busking should get me a cupple £ so I can buy food for that day.. Also I will bring money with me to start..
Hmm hard thing is.. telling my parents what im doing for 2 weeks :/ I don't think they would liek it if I said i planned on living outside :/ Iv got untill the summer to think of exuses.. maby you guys can help me with them!
Im going to get a solar charger for my iphone so i can go on the internet ALL day and learn loads from it
I will Go to arts clubs to continue making art and go to my friends to make music if i feel the need also.. charge my laptop at the libary a cupple times a week to update my website and check email
So yeah... Why am i telling you this? What do i want from you?

WEllllllllllllllllllll.

1. Any tips?
2...... well..... there isnt a 2 becuase the 1 was so great!

Thanks

[Alfonso Crawford]

One thing I've been told, in my studies ("chatting with vagabonds") is that food is everywhere. Read up on dumpster-diving—there's at least one book about it—and find soup-kitchens in your area. Be careful about eating out of the trash during summer, though.

[dwixi]

Originally Posted by Alfonso Crawford

One thing I've been told, in my studies ("chatting with vagabonds") is that food is everywhere. Read up on dumpster-diving—there's at least one book about it—and find soup-kitchens in your area. Be careful about eating out of the trash during summer, though.

Yeah I knew about dumpster food. Its so bad that so much food is just thrown out just becuase it gos out of the date so the shops cant sell it..

But the thing is.

Just becuase i want to do this doesnt mean I should give up some things i do want.. I want to see what its like not having a house not what its like living off food that would otherwise be wasted. If i wanted to do that I would do that now.
It realy wouldnt be had getting food I will bring money with me also im always getting money passively online anyway that I would buy food with.

[David365]

Originally Posted by dwixi

I want to give being homeless a go... for like a cuple of weeks.
I think it would be a good growth experience. I don't want to do it now i want to do it in the sumer when I dont have the college commitment and it will be more sunny

Being homeless is not a jolly jape to "have a go" at, when you can retreat home to your parents if it starts raining. If you want a good "growth" experience try working with genuine homeless people - people who live on the streets in freezing conditions, not in some "magic garden".

There are plenty of organizations that take on volunteers (or could put your "passive income" to good use) - but only if you are sincere.

[vMike]

what for, what exactly do you want to achieve by this?

btw, here is a funny and interesting post describing a CEO's experience being a bum: HostGator Blog | Gator Crossing » Blog Archive » Lifestyles of the Rich and the Homeless - might pick up some tips there too

[recordrustle]

what? you dont want to give being homeless a go at all, you're just going camping! you're not going to learn anything if you have everything you've always had (except for a bed). what kind of growth are you looking for?

[dwixi]

Originally Posted by David365

Being homeless is not a jolly jape to "have a go" at, when you can retreat home to your parents if it starts raining. If you want a good "growth" experience try working with genuine homeless people - people who live on the streets in freezing conditions, not in some "magic garden".

There are plenty of organizations that take on volunteers (or could put your "passive income" to good use) - but only if you are sincere.

Yeah I could just do it a sucky way.. or I could do it as something to have fun
It doesnt rain everywhere its not bad everywhere. Lots of people choose to be homeless because they like the lifestyle.
It hardly rains here in the summer and when it does I like it!

[dwixi]

Originally Posted by recordrustle

what? you dont want to give being homeless a go at all, you're just going camping! you're not going to learn anything if you have everything you've always had (except for a bed). what kind of growth are you looking for?

Not having a home is what i want to try
I dont want to try starving! I dont want to try being in the streets and scared I dont want to try being misrable. I dont want to try anything bad.. I just want to see what its like without a home... Yeah Pretty much camping! Homesless! all that means is not having a home... I dont mean any of the other downsides to it!

[Interpreneur]

Originally Posted by dwixi

Lots of people choose to be homeless because they like the lifestyle.
It hardly rains here in the summer and when it does I like it!

Most people that "choose" to be homeless have serious mental issues.

If you really want to make a difference, do what Dave recommended. Hook up with a homeless shelter or a soup kitchen and make a difference that way.

People that become homeless for experimental purposes or to blog about it for two weeks never really know what it's like actually being homeless.

In your case, looks like you'll be waiting for summertime before you become "homeless". Real homeless people don't get that choice.

[Smiley]

dwixi, I say do it. I don't know that I'd agree that you're giving "homelessness" a try, in the way that I understand homelessness. But it sounds like you're going to go do something interesting and have some fun. My "tip" would be to stop referring to it as "homelessness" though. You'll tweak some others' beliefs where tweaking is neither justified, nor necessary.

To those of you on the aggressive, whyfor the snark? I get your concern about homelessness as a social issue, and are probably taking some exception to your interpretation of dwixi making light of it; however, twixi's intent, by my read, was not to do so maliciously. A gentle sharing of your perspective will tend to go much farther in communicating your beliefs than expressing (in my opinion, unwarranted) offense.

[dwixi]

Originally Posted by Smiley

dwixi, I say do it. I don't know that I'd agree that you're giving "homelessness" a try, in the way that I understand homelessness. But it sounds like you're going to go do something interesting and have some fun. My "tip" would be to stop referring to it as "homelessness" though. You'll tweak some others' beliefs where tweaking is neither justified, nor necessary.

To those of you on the aggressive, whyfor the snark? I get your concern about homelessness as a social issue, and are probably taking some exception to your interpretation of dwixi making light of it; however, twixi's intent, by my read, was not to do so maliciously. A gentle sharing of your perspective will tend to go much farther in communicating your beliefs than expressing (in my opinion, unwarranted) offense.

Yeah I think referring to it as homelessness gives people the wrong associations.. It makes them think I wana be wana those people begging in the streets of a city. Thats really really really not what i wana try.

[Chris Cade]

Originally Posted by dwixi

Lots of people choose to be homeless because they like the lifestyle.

"Lots" is probably a very small percentage. That's like saying "lots of people love to eat an all organic raw diet." Sure, lots of people do. But how does that number compare with say, the entire population of the planet?

The majority of homeless people are mentally ill - the primary illness being schizophrenia. Years ago I did a lot of research on schizophrenia because we discovered one of my brothers is schizophrenic... and I can say if it weren't for my parents giving him extra support for his entire life, he would absolutely be homeless. Not just financial support, but also mental / emotional / logistical support.

Originally Posted by dwixi

Yeah I think referring to it as homelessness gives people the wrong associations.. It makes them think I wana be wana those people begging in the streets of a city. Thats really really really not what i wana try.

Perhaps call it your "2 week outdoor adventure"?

Reminds me of when I went backpacking across western Europe for almost 6 weeks with a friend. It was an awesome experience... and sometimes we didn't even know where we would be sleeping upon arriving in a new city. We just wandered, explored, mingled with locals and other likeminded travelers, and saw where we were led.

[Jim11]

I did something similar to what you're talking about for a few days on a couple of occasions a few years ago. Left my possessions and apartments behind

I didn't call it being homeless though... just an unorthodox vacation.

I didn't bring an iphone with internet though. The point of my vacation was to get rid of all my possessions so that I could have a break from my normal activities, and so that I would have greater appreciation for my accomodation and other things when I returned.

I now tend to just go on hiking trips.

You definitely picked a buzz word, "being homeless", which was a poor choice of words, as noted above.

[funchy]

Originally Posted by dwixi

Not having a home is what i want to try
I dont want to try starving! I dont want to try being in the streets and scared I dont want to try being misrable. I dont want to try anything bad.. I just want to see what its like without a home... Yeah Pretty much camping! Homesless! all that means is not having a home... I dont mean any of the other downsides to it!

Then you're going camping. You're not experiencing what it really means to be homeless.

I also don't think it's fair for you be sneaking into private property to go camping. If you can afford to buy food, you can afford to pay to stay at a camground or hostel. If nothing else, at least ask the land-owner's permission.

[AlwaysLearning]

I was homeless for a few years during college. I lived out of the physics undergrad lounge as an undergrad senior, and for a year or so I lived out of my office as a grad student.

All the people saying "BLARGH IF YOU'RE NOT ROLLING IN YOUR OWN FECES YOU'RE NOT REALLY HOMELESS", you guys are extremely offensive. There are lots of "invisible homeless", they could be your co-workers and you wouldn't even know it. Homeless means, you don't have a static home. That's it. If you want to refer to crazy bums on the street, then say "crazy bums on the street".

Here's a great resource for the homeless by choice:
Survival Guide to Homelessness: Introduction to the Project

[dwixi]

Originally Posted by AlwaysLearning

I was homeless for a few years during college. I lived out of the physics undergrad lounge as an undergrad senior, and for a year or so I lived out of my office as a grad student.

All the people saying "BLARGH IF YOU'RE NOT ROLLING IN YOUR OWN FECES YOU'RE NOT REALLY HOMELESS", you guys are extremely offensive. There are lots of "invisible homeless", they could be your co-workers and you wouldn't even know it. Homeless means, you don't have a static home. That's it. If you want to refer to crazy bums on the street, then say "crazy bums on the street".

Here's a great resource for the homeless by choice:
Survival Guide to Homelessness: Introduction to the Project

Yes! this is what im trying to explain! Thanks for wording it better

[funchy]

Originally Posted by dwixi

Yes! this is what im trying to explain! Thanks for wording it better

I read AlwaysLearning's post and felt it disagreed with your premise. At least, I think so based on how I am imagining what you have in mind vs what I felt when I read AL's web page posts. (AL: what do you think? Or am I wrong?)

The thing is that for an experience to be meaningful or character building, it cannot be done all on your terms. When I read your post I got the feeling you had already decided you'll dine on nice food and camp out in pretty gardens, then return home when you've had enough. Where is the adversity in that? What will learn if you're in control of everything?

I also got to thinking: in light of this thread, right now I am feeling less likely to give strangers on the street money. I work hard for my money and a dollar means something to me. Yet, I am a very giving person and will sometimes give my last dollar, which is why I hate to feel taken advantage of. If homelessness is so voluntary and sounds like such a positive thing, I'm feeling like my money should be given to a different kind of charitable cause... or just kept for my own bills. Am I wrong to feel this way?

[dwixi]

Originally Posted by funchy

I read AlwaysLearning's post and felt it disagreed with your premise. At least, I think so based on how I am imagining what you have in mind vs what I felt when I read AL's web page posts. (AL: what do you think? Or am I wrong?)

The thing is that for an experience to be meaningful or character building, it cannot be done all on your terms. When I read your post I got the feeling you had already decided you'll dine on nice food and camp out in pretty gardens, then return home when you've had enough. Where is the adversity in that? What will learn if you're in control of everything?

I also got to thinking: in light of this thread, right now I am feeling less likely to give strangers on the street money. I work hard for my money and a dollar means something to me. Yet, I am a very giving person and will sometimes give my last dollar, which is why I hate to feel taken advantage of. If homelessness is so voluntary and sounds like such a positive thing, I'm feeling like my money should be given to a different kind of charitable cause... or just kept for my own bills. Am I wrong to feel this way?

I wasn't going to beg on the streets I was going to busk... Giving value and being open to receiving value. I wouldn't have to do this I could just bring money with me but I dont think im going to. This is an example of one of the things I want to do that would be putting me in a different view point and I will be open to learn things from.
There are many things I will do very differently and think differently about when doing this.
This is how i expect to learn things from the experience.

[openyourize]

Originally Posted by AlwaysLearning

I was homeless for a few years during college. I lived out of the physics undergrad lounge as an undergrad senior, and for a year or so I lived out of my office as a grad student.

All the people saying "BLARGH IF YOU'RE NOT ROLLING IN YOUR OWN FECES YOU'RE NOT REALLY HOMELESS", you guys are extremely offensive. There are lots of "invisible homeless", they could be your co-workers and you wouldn't even know it. Homeless means, you don't have a static home. That's it. If you want to refer to crazy bums on the street, then say "crazy bums on the street".

Here's a great resource for the homeless by choice:
Survival Guide to Homelessness: Introduction to the Project

yes. theres many degrees of homeless. i too was homeless when i was younger. i had a car, but it didnt work. ha! i slept in it sometimes and stored some stuff in it. i sometimes slept at friends' houses, but sometimes id find some snuggly screened in patio with a cushioney lawn chair to sleep on, or some play house in some random person's back yard. sometimes it was very very cold.

also, when i was in high school, i took a trip on the greyhound bus across the country and met a couple people that were "homeless" vagabonds. They just took a small bag and their guitar and took all the money they had and bought bus tickets with it. they just traveled around the country city to city. kinda poor, but not totally. they got money in various ways. anyway, yes, there are various degrees of homelessness.

i say go for it. call it whatever you want and who cares what everyone else labels your experience.