Bests and Worsts of Tent Life
After living out of a tent for something around 3 years of my life, often alone, I'm past the initial sugar-coated living-in-a-tent-is-the-coolest-thing-I've-ever-done stoke phase.
Here's my brief top 10 best and worst parts of tent life, do with it what you may. (Ideally within a tent)
BEST
1) Simplicity
With smaller spaces, generally comes less things. Less things, less stress.
2) Ease of getting away from it all
When you live in a tent all the time, there's less waiting for the weekend.
3) Improved health
Doesn't matter what snazzy, infomercial-based indoor air cleaner you have.
4) Waking up with the sun
Our natural body clocks thrive on this. It just makes it so much easier to wake up.
5) Sound of the rain
No recording of this can compare. It's a full-body, surround-sound experience.
6) No rent
Should be self-explanatory.
7) A protest of mainstream society
Ever heard of culture-jamming brah?
8) Requires creativity
You'll have to meet basic and decorative needs with different gadgets and materials.
9) No paperwork or rules (almost)
Won't ruin your credit for to leave a place early. 14-day limits eventually kick in though.
10) Thought-inducing
Taking yourself out of the "norm" makes you realize what you take for granted, and sheds light on what you should be questioning.
WORST
1) Cold
Unless you have a sturdy canvas tent and heater/stove (highly recommend).
2) Hauling water
I mean, anything mundane like this is never fun in and of itself.
3) Tent failure
This can be quite comical though, unless it's raining or snowing.
4) Inviting others over
Often you live on the outskirts of town or people don't want to put on more layers.
5) Vulnerability
There's no concrete walls to isolate you, you're in the world!
6) Views of homelessness
Society tends to look down on not living in a wooden box.
7) Showering
Hot showers are just so nice. End of story. There are plenty of gyms though!
8) Difficult to keep pets
I've had ferrets come camping with me, but it limits things a lot (temps, etc.)
9) No wifi
HOW WILL YOU DO ANYTHING. I guess there's data.
10) Being alone
You don't necessarily have a community of neighbors. Who talks to their neighbors nowadays anyway though??
Like anything, tent-living has its pros and cons. It depends on a person's individual needs how each will ultimately affect them.
For me, living in a canvas tent with a small wooden porch is still the dream : )
Here's my brief top 10 best and worst parts of tent life, do with it what you may. (Ideally within a tent)
BEST
1) Simplicity
With smaller spaces, generally comes less things. Less things, less stress.
2) Ease of getting away from it all
When you live in a tent all the time, there's less waiting for the weekend.
 |
| Tent living in Flagstaff, AZ |
3) Improved health
Doesn't matter what snazzy, infomercial-based indoor air cleaner you have.
4) Waking up with the sun
Our natural body clocks thrive on this. It just makes it so much easier to wake up.
5) Sound of the rain
No recording of this can compare. It's a full-body, surround-sound experience.
6) No rent
Should be self-explanatory.
7) A protest of mainstream society
Ever heard of culture-jamming brah?
8) Requires creativity
You'll have to meet basic and decorative needs with different gadgets and materials.
 |
| It's fun to decorate a tent though |
9) No paperwork or rules (almost)
Won't ruin your credit for to leave a place early. 14-day limits eventually kick in though.
10) Thought-inducing
Taking yourself out of the "norm" makes you realize what you take for granted, and sheds light on what you should be questioning.
WORST
1) Cold
Unless you have a sturdy canvas tent and heater/stove (highly recommend).
 |
| But remember weekend setups are always colder |
2) Hauling water
I mean, anything mundane like this is never fun in and of itself.
3) Tent failure
This can be quite comical though, unless it's raining or snowing.
 |
| I don't recommend MSR tents |
4) Inviting others over
Often you live on the outskirts of town or people don't want to put on more layers.
5) Vulnerability
There's no concrete walls to isolate you, you're in the world!
6) Views of homelessness
Society tends to look down on not living in a wooden box.
7) Showering
Hot showers are just so nice. End of story. There are plenty of gyms though!
8) Difficult to keep pets
I've had ferrets come camping with me, but it limits things a lot (temps, etc.)
9) No wifi
HOW WILL YOU DO ANYTHING. I guess there's data.
10) Being alone
You don't necessarily have a community of neighbors. Who talks to their neighbors nowadays anyway though??
Like anything, tent-living has its pros and cons. It depends on a person's individual needs how each will ultimately affect them.
For me, living in a canvas tent with a small wooden porch is still the dream : )
 |
| Yosemite tent cabin from Wikimedia Commons |
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