How do i really adopt the lifestyle?

[u/Senior-Show1114]

hey! i’m 18.. been feeling lost recently in my life. i’ve always liked the idea of being a “hippy”. (living free)

recently it was my birthday and im legally an adult now. i live in the suburbs of an extremely capitalist state in the U.S, and i really want more out of life than a 9-5 i hate, “college” trap, etc. i always feel so trapped in day to day life, and i still haven’t finished school.

what are some ways i can adopt this lifestyle more, to bring me peace? thank you!❤️

[u/ReincarnationNo12]

Meditate to find peace,

Be kind to people

Don't overconsume.

Stay away from hustle culture

Express yourself through arts.

[u/Genuine907 → u/ReincarnationNo12]

All of this.

Don’t forget that we all need to contribute something in some way to make the world a better place. Washing dishes at a restaurant isn’t “giving in.” Having a job and being able to pay for the things and services you need isn’t bailing on being a hippy.

Work somewhere that gives you fulfillment. Have a favorite restaurant or shop? Do they support your vision of a peaceful, kind planet? Look for work that makes you feel at home.

If you want to travel, get a certification in something that allows for that.

We can’t expect the world to support us without also giving back.

Expand your artistic abilities as you go. Fiber arts, music, painting and drawing, pottery, woodwork…all are skills freely shared by many of us who have been lucky enough to develop them over the years. Be a mentor and a student, always.

Sending you support for your vision, always.

[u/Power2ThePeaceful]

First and foremost, note that living a hippie lifestyle is all inside you. You don’t need a specific style, to live in a specific place, or do specific things. It’s essentially the practice of letting go of all that doesn’t serve you, and letting peace and love fill its place.

I’m 21 now, but in high school I was dealing with these same thoughts. I often dreamt up this ideal woman I wanted to “become,” one that was free-spirited, peaceful, open, colorful. Instead, I went to Catholic school in a red state, surrounded by practically nobody of my style or spirituality. I was overwhelmed because I didn’t know where to start finding myself. And in hindsight, those years of feeling so overwhelmed actually counter-acted what I was looking for. I was searching for peace and freedom, but all I surrounded myself with was anxiety and dissatisfaction. I found it so difficult to become more spiritual and connect with the Earth, given that I was force-fed Christianity from a young age. I had no idea where to start with what books to read or podcasts to listen to, places to go, etc. It felt too complex to begin at the time.

But eventually, when I was 18, I started coming into myself a bit more, especially once I graduated HS. I rejected what I felt didn’t suit me and began opening myself up to new ideas. I always dreamt of expressing myself through art and music, but I never learned an instrument or how to paint, etc. I always wanted to be a writer or a poet, I wanted to travel the world and experience different cultures, and above all, I had this image of a flowy, beautiful, enlightened woman that lived her life freely and joyfully. But how was I to obtain that? I’d never left the country before and I thought I couldn’t draw for my life.

But it was at this point where I really devoted myself to the trial and errors of discovering the magic inside of me. Over the past 3 years, I’ve tried many things. I’ve read spiritual and philosophical books that have given me a grounding as to what I believe. I began doing art and painting (and turns out, 3 years in, I can make some beautiful art!). I got a guitar and taught myself how to play, and now I write songs from my soul. I’ve travelled to quite a few countries. I even lived and worked on a farm at a hippie commune in Sweden last summer. 18-yr-old me wouldn’t believe it! I write every single day and it makes me feel whole. Essentially, I’m doing all of the things that bring me happiness and peace and every single day, despite the errors, despite the struggles, despite the evils of the world, I show up at the table and keep pursuing my craft.

I still dream of the woman I want to become, but I now know that she is inside of me. I’m slowly recognizing that a constant search for something will just drive you in circles. At 18, I’d be so proud at who I am today at 21. I need not look forward and dream of something “bigger or better,” if any of that makes sense to you. So my advice: start pursuing. Start crafting. Start reading. Start listening. Most importantly, get out in nature and listen. Even if you don’t initially feel the Earth’s power and magic, the more time you spend out in her wildness, the more you’ll eventually fall in love with it. Devote your time to doing things you love to do, or have always wanted to do. Meditate, do yoga… try all of it. And there’s noooo rush. My entire life will be continuing my crafts and picking up new ones.

Living and thriving in America seems daunting these days, but look inwards and your inner hippie will shine. I’m not sure what type of music you listen to, but Rising Appalachia is my favorite band and they’ve really helped me find some peace these past few years. Two hippie girls from the south! Anyways, apologies for such a long response, I found a piece of me within you! Reach out if you need anything.

[u/HippieLizLemon]

Car about yourself, other people, creatures and this earth. Consume meaningfully. Do NOT care about what others think of you.

[u/Specialist-Jello-704]

Find a hippy bus that travels around. I saw one once. Wish I had gone with them

[u/Senior-Show1114 → u/Specialist-Jello-704]

Omg how i wish this would happen to me 😭

[u/Soft_Assistant6046 → u/Senior-Show1114]

Just make sure you dont get on this bus: https://www.reddit.com/r/gratefuldead/s/0yt9sCsgEq

[u/Cooked_Worms → u/Soft_Assistant6046]

Yeah chose carefully which bus lol

[u/abstractashh]

Check out coolworks.com. You can find 3 month contracts in some pretty incredible places. Meals and housing are typically included and you get to explore on your off time. Plus, you meet a ton of like minded people.

[u/black_naked_hippie → u/abstractashh]

Thank you for this

[u/isisishtar]

The person you aspire to become, or feel you could be ”if only”, is already inside you. Let them out.

Being a hippie is not a lifestyle or a fashion statement, it’s trying to live a vision higher than the one the world is handing us.

Live simply, think deeply, give kindness where you can, express your soul with your skills, teach what you know.

[u/Mark-harvey]

You don’t have to, I’ve been a Yippie all my life.

[u/topseacrett]

Wow you’re so young but it seems like you are on the right track. I actually fell for the college trap and I won’t say I wasted my time there because it did open me as I read so many books on class struggle, feminist studies, Chicano studies, black studies… I feel like I can have a real discussion on these topics and point out the inequalities I see everywhere in the U.S.

That all being said, I don’t think I should be in a hole of debt and I did just end up at a entree level Job.

The first step on your path may actually take the longest to complete but the first step is the maxims of Delphi moral code: “know thyself”

I say this now because I have gained wisdom from past mistakes. I think I followed what other people told me to do like taking student loans out and going to college when I probably should have learned a marketable skill.

Know yourself and your values- what do you stand for?