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uncertainty

Tag: uncertainty

white neon sign that says Do Something Great
CategoriesLifestyle

The Space Between

by Big Calm

Surrounded by boxes of what we’re taking to B.C., it doesn’t feel like we’re really “living” in Calgary anymore. There’s still a month until we move, and it’s as though we’re somewhere in between.

It’s given us a lot of time to think about what we want to do with Big Calm. The first objective is to finish the Shangri-loft, so we can move in. I want our plans for both Big Calm and the Shangri-loft to be guided by the principles and ethics of permaculture, so we are thinking about ways to efficiently capture and store energy (solar panels, solar thermal, batteries, electric generators, etc.) while ensuring there are redundancies in place. 

Here in Calgary, we are in a condo building with 47 units, but we hardly know anyone – I certainly wouldn’t feel comfortable reaching out to a neighbour if we needed anything. We’re surrounded by people, but there is no community. We decided that we want to build one at Big Calm, and have established our vision: 

To create an ecologically sustainable, self-reliant tiny home community, guided by the ethics of permaculture, and strengthened by collaboration, mutual support and the diversity and skills of its members.

We will call the Shangri-loft home while we establish the first phase of Big Calm, after which the Shangri-loft will serve as a shared community space. We plan to incorporate other elements, including other community gathering spaces, food garden beds, a greenhouse and eventually, a food forest. 

There is a lot to consider, and we want to be thoughtful in approach. We can’t wait to share more (per Geoff Lawton: 100 hours of thinking for 1 hour of work). 

Have ideas for us? Drop us a line!

Photo by Clark Tibbs on Unsplash

illustration of a cartoon peering into a dark doorway
CategoriesLifestyle

Down is the New Up

by Big Calm

How profoundly the world has changed.

Looking back at Big Calm’s pre-pandemic posts instills mixed emotions. On one hand, the expressed dissatisfaction with what can be termed the “old normal” is overwhelmingly passe. On the other, the pandemic has underscored the false sense of security many of us have had all our lives.

The pandemic has, amongst other things, demonstrated that our supply chains are extremely fragile. First, there was a toilet paper shortage, now it’s PPE and disinfectants. We are fortunate that our food supply chains have not yet been affected, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be, especially considering what’s going on south of the border.

The pandemic also has revealed the extreme complexity of global systems. It’s the butterfly effect on steroids. The “old normal” was riddled with uncertainty, and the pandemic has increased that uncertainty by orders of magnitude. The “new normal” is a misnomer of epic proportions, especially if the pandemic is the metaphorical butterfly.

This uncertainty though, has made me certain about at least one thing: a major life change is in order. Taking responsibility for my future basic needs has never made more sense than it does now.

community of people in forest watching a sunset
CategoriesLifestyle

New Life at the End of the World

by Big Calm

It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I (wanna) feel fine.

But I don’t. Far from it. 

News of natural – as well as very unnatural – disasters is rampant. We’re inundated with reports of war, terrorism, wildfires, and drought. Seeking peace of mind, I find myself devising ways to save our ailing planet, only to realize the futility.

Perhaps selfishly, I begin to worry about what the future will look like, especially as the situation becomes more dire. Where do I want to be and what people would I like to be surrounded by when it “all goes down”?

What I know is that I don’t want to be in a city of one-million-plus people fighting over bottled water and the last bag of chips at the supermarket. Am I catastrophizing? Maybe. Maybe not.

I refocus on what I can control. It turns out that it isn’t much, but it’s enough.

What I CAN do is create a life that offers security in a very uncertain world. We’re taught at an early age of the three basic human needs – food/water, shelter and clothing. I think it’s time to go back to basics and do whatever I can to ensure these needs will continue to be met. I’ll feel a lot more comfortable knowing I have a reliable water source, the ability to grow (some of) my own food and generate an energy supply, all with the support of a community of like-minded people who will look out for one another.

I don’t know about you, but approaching the future empowered by self-sufficiency and with the support of a community sounds a lot better than being robbed for my last Cliff bar.

Photo by Daan Stevens on Unsplash.