I can’t remember the last time the sun warmed my yard. Granted, that has nothing to do with the fact that I live somewhere lost in the middle of nowhere, but it definitely adds to the sense of isolation, and desolation.
I’m not entirely alone; I live in a small cluster of houses next-door to strangers who at one point could have been friends. There are main roads, and country highways that lead to slightly more interesting places, but reality is all the same basic landscape. Rolling farms, condensed forests, and a splattering of sprawling homes mixed with ramshackle mysteries. This area was built for purpose, and faked luxury, not for truly living, and personal growth.
I didn’t choose this location. I was planted here and told that I’d love it. I’m reminded that I’m ungrateful when I voice my opinion, or complain about isolation, and boredom. I’m not alone in my frustrations, yet the voices that join my chorus have even less impact on change, and more impact on the air within our box growing hot with anger.
Every day without a contract of school, or work becomes a cry for attention. “We need to do SOMETHING!” What though? There is nowhere to go. Everywhere requires driving at least half an hour to a slightly less mundane area. In fairness, we’ve exhausted those as well. There is literally NOTHING to do here.
When the weather doesn’t cooperate for outdoor activities, we are forced to shuffle into the rolling tin can and find another spot to stew in. Surrounded by forests, not one tree bears the fruit of finances; the expenses of seeking fun add up. Fuel, fun, and food all need to be considered before spontaneously seeking salvation from the confines of our walls.
Time plays a huge role in our adventures. Do we race the sun home, abandoning the darkest roads before the sunset turns off its picturesque display? Do we risk encountering animals as they return to their night homes after dark?
One person can’t make decisions without confirming that everyone else is able to balance the time, and distance of their desired plans. Someone, usually me, is always forced to sacrifice what they need most out of the day.
I honestly miss the days of my youth when I could hop on a public bus, or walk wherever I wanted to go. My friends and I had so much independence! We were connected by a main artery of buses that connected us to an entire city of adventure, and fun. I know some people might think that that sort of freedom can be dangerous for children, teens, and adults, but I promise you, locking your children away like Rapunzel in a tiny town with nothing to do is far more dangerous.
Consider for a moment that everyone has to drive everywhere, which in the middle of nowhere, with back country roads, heavy truck traffic, and the huge risk of animals on the road, is not the safest for new drivers.
There is literally nowhere for youth to find employment, which limits their access to freedom, and responsibility.
Lost in the middle of nowhere creates a huge dependency on communicating through a screen. There is no independence, or spontaneity in social gatherings. Dependency on one’s adults is socially crushing for young adults.
Isolation does not equate rest, or mental/physical wellbeing. Having to drive to a hiking trail adds time, waste, and pollution, while decreasing motivation, and desire to hike.
I could lament forever on why I’d rather live in an urban area, but I won’t. Instead, I’ll sit back and watch the clouds roll in as I map out my day to please the people around me. After all, when you’re lost in the middle of nowhere, there isn’t much else to do but make plans on how to get out of here.
Beautifully Broken 