Journal Entry #4

I’m beginning to grow attached to my little cardboard dwelling. I’ve organized what little I have in what could be called “interior decorating”. I don’t think my circumstances have really sunk in yet as I have had a steady stream of visitors so far that kept me active. It’s beginning to rain through, so I have been double checking the outside of my structure to make sure that it is watertight.

Final Reflections

Over the course of the two days of the project, I endured the cold, rain, and wind. In the grand scene of things, my experience was only a minor display of hardships. However in doing this project, I gained a strong sense of understanding and appreciation for elements of my life that I may have previously overlooked.


It has been a week now since my project came to an end, and for the most part it's back to business as usual. It took me a couple days to get used to being back in my regular life. I especially had difficulties getting used to people not staring at me. For a day or so, I had a strong feeling I was being watched and I was uncomfortable being around crowds. Soon enough this went away, but it made me realize how painful being outcast from society can feel.

On a personal level, I have tried to remain more aware of the world around me. I always try to stop for a few moments a day and just take in my surroundings. I try to notice the little things as I go about my routine. Most of all I place immense value in my conversation and interaction with other people. Personal connections with others are a great gift to have.

For the most part, the response has been almost all positive from people. Once people understand what my reasons behind the project were, they usually approve of it. I have continued to stay in touch with a few of the people I met while doing this project, and I think by far that is the best result of the whole experience. I have even had a few people walk up to me and ask "Were you the guy in the box?" to which I chuckle and smile.

All in all, if I could do this all over again I would (with a better shelter hopefully). The project has put a number of things into perspective for me. I've only scratched the surface of what I learned through this experience. Many things I've taken away from it I doubt I could even put into words. My hope for the reader if you take anything away from this experience yourself, is to take moment to look at your own life. Appreciate your strengths as well as your flaws, and simply recognize who you are.

Ryan

Journal Entry #21

Morning has come and it is almost time for the project to end. I didn't get too much sleep, and I'm starting to lose my voice, but I'm definitely feeling good about the experiences I've endured. I'm about to go into my building for the first time in two days to shower and then I will meet with the class to begin reflecting on this whole experience.

Journal Entry #20

I'm locked in for the night. The car feels like heaven compared to the freezing and damp ground. The memories of the night before all seem like a blur now. My feelings from that night however, are still strong in my mind. I can't say this car is extremely comfortable, but considering my circumstances the night before, it's a welcome relief.

Journal Entry #19

I finally cleared out my camp. It was beginning to get dark, so I wanted to get everything together while I still could see. About to move into the car for the night.

Journal Entry #18

Apparently a few people were curious about what I was doing and started a discussion board trying to figure it out. One of the people from the discussion board finally approach me just now to to get the story first hand. I'd be interested to see what people said.

Journal Entry #17

Someone brought me soup for lunch today. After constantly turning offers for food down, I finally gave in and accepted it. He had already bought it, so I had a much harder time not accepting it, not to mention it was warm and I am not right now. It was a nice little comfort.

Journal Entry #16

Plenty of visitors today, both friends and strangers. The time passes by so much faster talking to people. I'm starting to think a case could be made for interacting with others being almost a necessity of life. At the very least, I feel it is certainly a necessity of a healthy life.

Journal Entry #15

I can now safely say there are 3 ways in which people react to me. They either come talk to me and try to understand what I am doing, they ignore me, or the stare at me until I acknowledge them, and then ignore me. I think the last reaction hurts the most.

Journal Entry #14

I've decided I will definitely spend the night in my car tonight. It's somewhat frustrating, but I just don't have enough left to handle the weather conditions tonight. I'm doing what I have to do to make it through the night much like anyone would. Still.....if I had just a bit more protection from the wind and rain I would make do out here.

Journal Entry #13

All the struggles I've endured so far pale in comparison with what many people must go through on a daily basis. Looking at life from the perspective of not having much beyond the essentials, I appreciate the world around me a lot more. I also value what I do have much more. Even a measly tarp is a huge luxury for me right now.


Going forward in life there will be plenty of challenges for me to have to overcome, but if at the end of the day I have a warm bed to go to, I'm still much better off than I could be. I respect that.

Journal Entry #12

The wind has torn apart what little remained of the shelter from when it collapsed last night. The cardboard was just too damp from the night to hold. I don't have much left. Definitely going to have to figure out a plan for tonight, as I am without many supplies to work with. I am going to scope out campus for potential places to set up for the night and if that doesn't work, I may resort to sleeping in my car. Unfortunately I seem to have picked the two coldest, windiest, and wettest days  in April to do this project.

Journal Entry #11

Last night was rough. Late in the night, what little sleep I was getting, was interrupted when the shelter finally gave way. I knew it was struggling, but I hoped it would at least hold until morning. Thankfully, by the time it collapsed, the rain had stopped. I relocated the shelter to higher ground as well, so I'm out of the wet ground.

Journal Entry #10

I think the right hand wall may give way sometime tonight. I reinforced it as best I can. I’ll try and get some sleep now though in case it does collapse later. Thankfully, for the time being I am dry and, somewhat warm. It is going to be a long night though.  

Journal Entry #9

Most everyone is gone. A peaceful feeling has set in as I take in my surroundings. Every little noise stands out to me on the backdrop of a gentle whir of the nearby buildings. Occasionally I do think of my warm room and comfortable bed. I can see my window when I look outside the shelter

Journal Entry #8

I’m a bit nervous about the night. I’m not completely sure the shelter will be able to stand the wind and rain through the whole night. I have more than enough to be fine though, even if it will be far from the level of comfort I’m used to. Most of the foot traffic has ended for the night. I’m about to close up the shelter, do some reflecting on today, and to get some sleep.

Journal Entry #7

I just heard the clock strike seven. I touched up the shelter a bit to hopefully make it more waterproof. The number of people around fluctuates based on what events are going on. Thankfully, a number of my friends and classmates have stopped by to visit.

Still haven’t gotten too far into Walden because of interruptions and my close reading of it, but I’ve already found some insights into his experience that run parallel to this project, especially in his response to others about his reason.

Pretty soon it will be dark.

Journal Entry #6

The rain has cleared up now.  Evening classes just let out, so I’ve had another wave of conversation. Honestly the best part of this whole experience so far, has been meeting some new and interesting individuals. I have received a number of different perspectives on my project ranging from issues of homelessness, to people’s feelings on Thoreau. I’m trying to absorb as much of it as I can, while sharing my own piece of mind with them as well.

Journal Entry #5

Solitude is setting in some. The rain, while mild, is enough to keep me inside the shelter. Fewer people stop to talk when I’m inside. It is around dinner time as I keep hearing people in passing say things like “I’m starving” or “Let’s go get food, I’m so hungry”. I had an apple.

Journal Entry #4

I’m beginning to grow attached to my little cardboard dwelling. I’ve organized what little I have in what could be called “interior decorating”. I don’t think my circumstances have really set in yet as I have had a steady stream of visitors so far that kept me active. It’s beginning to rain through, so I have been double checking the outside of my structure to make sure that it is watertight.

Journal Entry #3

People have mostly taken one of two approaches to me. They either express interest in the project and try to get a better understanding of my goals, or they ignore me completely. I feel the latter tends to be a fairly common response to people who are without homes. It hurts a little.

Journal Entry #2

So far some of the more unique encounters with people I’ve had have been with tour groups. I can certainly tell that these prospective students and their families did not expect to see something like my project on their tour of the school. I have received many confused looks and questions from the groups as they go by. Hopefully, I encouraged a few of them to consider what they will do with their own college years, as well as the many opportunities for expression the school presents them with.

Journal Entry #1

My shelter is all built now. It would have been nice if the weather wasn’t so dreary, but I’m committed to take on all the challenges that will come my way.

I already have had a few people approach me to find out what it is I’m doing. So far the responses have been almost all positive besides a few dirty looks here and there. One freshman showed particular interest in my project. He helped me set up my shelter, and shared his own perspective on the project with me. Originally from India, he has witnessed extreme poverty first hand and it’s effect on people. He has seen people struggle to survive, and it has made him more aware of how he lives his own life.

Hopefully people will continue to approach me and offer their own perspectives on the project, as that will make this whole experience much more enriching for me.

(Over the next couple days I will continue to post my journal entries on to the blog, as well as my final reflections. Stay tuned! )

The Beginning

It seems ironic to be writing a blog about disconnecting from modern amenities. In our world today, computers and the internet have become vital tools for success whether it be in business, activism, or personal communication. Often we take our modern conveniences for granted. The goal of this project is by no means to say technology and innovation is a bad thing. However, do we take these gifts for granted?


Over the course of the next 2 days, I will be "unplugging" myself from the modern fast paced world. Living on only the essentials I hope to gain a better personal understanding of what it is that I REALLY need and what is excess. Through better understanding of the excess in my life I hope to create a more balanced way of being for myself, keeping the things that really matter in mind.

The Project

For this project, I will be spending 48 hours living on only the essentials. My shelter will be pieces of cardboard shambled together to form a makeshift lean-to. Beyond that my supplies will include:

• A water resistant tarp
• An Army Blanket
• Minimal Food Rations
• Water
• A journal
• A copy of the book "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau
• The cloths I'm wearing

Throughout the 48 hours I will be keeping a journal of my experiences and feelings. After the project is over, I will transfer the journal onto this blog to share the experience with you!