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.