WEBVTT 00:00:02.179 --> 00:00:06.803 We don't need nearly as much as we think we do, at all. 00:00:08.260 --> 00:00:15.970 In fact, all we need is sustenance and a roof over our heads, honestly. 00:00:15.970 --> 00:00:18.049 My name is Emma Christensen. 00:00:18.049 --> 00:00:23.774 I live in the beautiful state of Montana in the Northwestern part, in a tiny cabin in the woods. 00:00:23.774 --> 00:00:28.051 My family has always kind of been into off-grid stuff. 00:00:28.051 --> 00:00:29.620 It took about two years. 00:00:29.620 --> 00:00:35.290 The opportunity just simply presented itself, and I had to say yes. 00:00:35.290 --> 00:00:39.466 This cabin is 100% off the grid. 00:00:44.560 --> 00:00:47.153 It is powered by solar panels. 00:00:47.153 --> 00:00:49.713 It is heated by wood heat. 00:00:50.010 --> 00:01:03.750 Ever since living out here, my eyes have been opened to how much I don't need, especially with limited space, because I just have four little cubbies over here that hold pretty much everything, winter clothes, summer clothes, all my clothes. 00:01:03.750 --> 00:01:12.770 My solar setup was probably the biggest expense, and I think it came in, by the end of all of it, around $1,300. 00:01:12.770 --> 00:01:16.337 It was the biggest expense, but it's a one-time expense. 00:01:16.337 --> 00:01:24.320 And then you are simply free to never have to pay a utility bill, as far as power's concerned, in your life. 00:01:24.800 --> 00:01:32.857 In the summer, I'm able to just get up, get ready for work, make a cup of tea if I want it, on my little burner that I have. 00:01:32.857 --> 00:01:45.330 Whereas in winter, my daily routine is I have to get up extra early to start a fire, and then also be able to give myself time to get all the snow off. 00:01:45.330 --> 00:01:50.640 So I have to give myself probably an extra two hours to accommodate those things in the winter. 00:01:50.640 --> 00:01:56.369 And I would say that's the biggest difference in my daily routine in the summer versus the winter. 00:01:56.369 --> 00:02:07.721 The least glamorous part, and not necessarily the least liked part, I would say is when I have to go take a shower I have to pump water into a bucket. 00:02:07.721 --> 00:02:12.162 I have to pour that bucket into a pot, which can be boiled on either the wood stove. 00:02:12.162 --> 00:02:29.403 I pour it back into the bucket and then I have to wheel that bucket over to the shower area, where I either scoop the water onto me, or I have this little battery-powered rechargeable shower head that can be dumped into the five gallon bucket, and I can just kinda shower off regularly. 00:02:29.403 --> 00:02:40.012 I would say that's one of the least glamorous parts, but it's one of my most favorite because it's so calming and peaceful to take a shower out in the middle of the woods. 00:02:40.012 --> 00:02:46.831 I am so much more able to enjoy nature and just go outside and listen to birds, and it's beautiful. 00:02:46.831 --> 00:02:54.325 Like listening to birds over car horns is such an incredible thing that I didn't know I needed until I moved out here. 00:02:54.325 --> 00:03:04.587 I was very unsure in the first couple months just because I was still getting used to being in an off-grid situation, but ever since living out here and having the hang of it, I love it. 00:03:04.587 --> 00:03:06.554 I never want it to stop.