Grief and deep love for this life are not mutually exclusive, in fact they can't exist without one another. You might appreciate reading a book called The Smell of Rain on Dust by Martin Prechtel. It's amazing.
I'm thankful for the catch up. I feel like I've shared a pot of tea with you, and heard your story.
Ah, I remember being called to action by Peak Oil, discovering Permaculture, eating carrot cake with Patrick Whitefield in our smokey little kitchen, and hatching a plan ... how much ( and how little) has changed.
Growing old in this awareness is challenging, and I am being grateful for your insight.
A cup of tea with you would be wonderful Jackie . If this is the next best thing , I am delighted.
You reminded me of how I hired Patrick Whitfield to come and look at our Farm and land before we moved in. I was so keen !
He stood in my empty kitchen expecting lunch and I had to give him my sandwich 😂
You look like you are doing marvellous things at your place. I had a look at your very smart website.
Your right, growing old in this awareness is challenging. I also see it as a blessing . We knew the world before and if it gets really bad we will probably be ready to go .
Perhaps this is something we can write about or have a real conversation about sometime.x
I also expect the system to collapse, and have done similar things. Growing food is becoming more important, as is stocking up on dry goods and bulk ordering organic food with friends.
Someone I knew went through the transition from apartheid in South Africa to what it is now, and I asked what advice he'd give. He said, "Keep your relationships clean" and that made a lot of sense to me.
I knew you would also be ahead of the ‘Collapse’ Diana, you are so well informed.
All the practices you name are worthwhile regardless of the circumstances. I support my CSA and am in a local organic food circle. I also have medical supplies , games and lots of helpful books.
I love the advice you had about keeping “relationships clean “. One of the great things about uncertainty is making sure any rifts and healing of relationships is tended.
I learnt that the hard way when my Mother-in law died suddenly and I had’t made time to thank her for a gift 💗
Hi Susan. I'm wondering if you would consider sharing your list of helpful books? I'm hoping that a well stocked library would be one of the offerings I could give to my community during the harder times of collapse 🙏
Dearest Sue, This is brilliant, heartfelt, courageous, the truth ....what a great story. I will certianly share....there is more to share too, I look forward to that. Is Substack the most 'Private' we can be in your experience....? Hope we can catch up soon..... Let me know - Firehorses unite! Big Love, Chloe xxx
I did this too. Different journey. At 18 in 1989 I watched a documentary called 'in grave danger of falling food' about permaculture. I then became a wandering hippie. Moved to a big city became a musician and stayed till 2005 when I saw far too many signs. I got the jump on you and anticipated aging and bought land within walking distance to town if 10,000. Now 54, well set up. Chickens vegies off grid etc. but you are correct. My community is my strength. Hell, I'm friends with locals like David Holmgren- permaculture originator and others so my locals are high calibre dudes.
Wow, that is all so impressive and you did get the jump on me . What an amazing community you have around you . Along with your set up on the land, all contributing to more certainty in our uncertain futures.
That all bodes well and lifts my heart that enclaves like yours are thriving. Thanks for stopping by 🙏🏻
My wake-up call to the collapse didn't happen suddenly, nor did it happen due to a sense of collapse. I learned that government and its attendant cronyism is evil. Sustain or collapse, I'm now against it. In many ways, I'm cheering for collapse, as more people abandon these institutions and make better use of their time, energy, resources, and intentions.
I am with you on that Dominic, there is much in our world that needs to collapse and be removed. We do need to abandon the old evil ways of exploitation and oppression to find better ways of living together.
I had my major political awakening earlier when I learnt about the Palestinian struggle and of course there are many more.
Thank you for sharing and your steadfast commitment to truth and peace.
A beautiful and riveting piece of writing, describing a fascinating story! Your courage and philosophical (read: emotionally intelligent adult) outlook shine through! I'm astonished you did Location, Location, Location, but glad it furnished you with an amazing farm house in Devon. And, I'm not surprised you felt misrepresented and marginalised. (We are utterly addicted to conflict / friction in storytelling, so all must be cast one way or another to achieve the level of sensationalism required to capture as many eyeballs as possible. It's tragic, and a really cheap trick! Especially as it tends to keep things pretty infantile and superficial, in the main, and veracity dies a painful death.)
I just watched this TED Talk, and it seems a synchronous good fit to what you talk about here. It's an impressive analysis... I hope you have time to watch it... it's less than 15 mins:
Very grateful you have shared this part of your story. It's very inspiring. (I'd love to watch the Location episode you were featured in - do you know if it's available on any of the video platforms?) You look absolutely fab in the picture of you all. x x x
Thank you Rachel, that means a lot and is deeply appreciated…it took me a while 🤔 to condense.
You’re right about the conflict , they invented tension in the finished edits.
Even in a programme about house hunting , there has to be conflict. All part of the conditioning, that we don’t get on and to distrust others.
I will watch the TED Talk as I always like your recommendations.
As to the programme, we actually did two . A before and then a follow up. They asked us to do another one as they were popular. But we said no we had learnt our lesson.
They kept getting repeated, so Neil particularly would often be recognised in shops etc..it was our 15mins of fame 😂 not sure if they are still around , they did show them on Dave, if that still exists.
Yes, it's so hard to edit our own story, because we appreciate all the detail that has led to the creation of the whole... only keeping that which serves the overall narrative is hard to define! But, you did brilliantly!
I don't have a TV, which I think is needed for Dave...? Shame... I'd loved to have watched them both! x x x
Thank you Dear Rachel & I am glad you can’t watch the programmes.
I cringe at the thought 😱
Sarah Wilson is brilliant, I subscribe to her & its a great TED talk . I have ordered her new book which she has been serialising on her substack . Xxx
So glad I found your work Sue, it’s such an honest and humble story that really resonates with me. My collapse aware moment came in 1996 when I read The Limits of Growth. I was convinced we had about another 10 years before some major shift and like you, though 2008 was it. Fast forward to now - my work supporting creative and social entrepreneurs is my expression of co-creating new futures. As I approach 50 I’m leaning even harder into convening spaces for collective dreaming and action. I have always been optimistic even in my 20s, when friends and family saw my views as doomsday stuff. The shift is all around us, it just looks and feels different to how I imagined all those years ago.
Ellen, I am so glad you found me and that my story resonates with yours. Thanks you for your kind words and for sharing your Collapse wake up moment.
It’s insightful to have the perspective of what you thought would happen , against what is actually happening.
That I believe is one of the main benefits of awareness, being mentally prepared and open to what is. None of us have a ‘Collapse’ script and thats what makes living now so interesting.
What you are doing and contributing looks fascinating and so valuable. I have often heard it said that it is our lack of imagination that limits our ability to create a better future.
Collective dreaming and action is what is needed now 🙏🏻
Hello Sue, thank you for this post, this is my first time and I’m all ears. I stockpiled food, both human and cat, as well as bought a travel trailer in case I needed to get away and live outside of my house because of this very topic. I cannot wait to hear what else you have to say. I ask that you be somewhat blunt and honest because we can’t tiptoe over what I feel like is going to be coming in the next 1 to 3 years. From what I feel it ain’t pretty.
Hello Kelli, welcome here and great to hear how you are so well prepared . Especially wise given what is happening now to accelerate Collapse.
I agree we can’t ‘tiptoe’ around in serious times. I will always be honest, not false hope or Doom but realism .
I am doing a LIVE with Zahra Sethna of Collapse Life at 17.30 GMT today we will be talking about practical economic systems to strengthen locally. Do come and give your views and experiences if you can .
I write a new short story everyday. One of my characters is my husband who is an environmental engineer he got his degree in mechanical engineering. I would love for you to read one of my stories or many. If you like them subscribe.
I love learning how you arrived at who and where you are in this moment. And who you are becoming. Thank you for sharing your journey. It is a gift and an inspiration for us to keep learning and growing!
And thank you for the mention and inclusion of our discussion. Let's do it again soon.
Hi Kristi, I would like to know what you thought of the post , as it’s proving popular. It has brought in nearly 100 new subscribers and lots of comments .
A wonderful story, and no matter what era you had your wake up call, you began to create a life that you loved and learned skills that you enjoyed, that become useful, and even more useful over the years.
You asked us to describe our wake up call, mine was in 1971 when I realized I did not want to enter into the life I had thought was going to be mine - na wife, chemistry teacher, couple of kids in a station wagon somewhere in mid Michigan.
I had great help with some subtle chemistry and from that experience I took off with a backpack and a heart filled with possibilities.
So it’s been 55 years of living my heart dream, never being really fit for a job, although I tried a few.
Always in a commune or near a small town and now in the middle of this village, I am surrounded by the heart of my community, creating seasonal ceremonies, adventures and enjoyment for each other, learning and teaching. Always teaching, because there is so much to learn and to unlearn in this process.
How to cook with what you have, how to enjoy eating what you just cooked. How to save in store food without ruining it or going overboard. All those things.
Now, it’s a bigger adventure for the community as we began to talk and discuss and find solution solutions and take action on our own local food security.
We’ve been through the transition town ride, in the name of Willits economic localization, which we started in 2004
We are back again with this new impetus of realization for both climate change and economic meltdown.
Grief and deep love for this life are not mutually exclusive, in fact they can't exist without one another. You might appreciate reading a book called The Smell of Rain on Dust by Martin Prechtel. It's amazing.
Thats true Maia, they are not mutually exclusive.
Thanks for the book recommendation & stopping by.
I have not heard of it , so off to investigate.
You're quite welcome -- it's really one of the most incredible reading experiences I've ever had.
May you be well, Susan.
Thats a high recommendation, may you also be well & have peace 🙏
I'm thankful for the catch up. I feel like I've shared a pot of tea with you, and heard your story.
Ah, I remember being called to action by Peak Oil, discovering Permaculture, eating carrot cake with Patrick Whitefield in our smokey little kitchen, and hatching a plan ... how much ( and how little) has changed.
Growing old in this awareness is challenging, and I am being grateful for your insight.
A cup of tea with you would be wonderful Jackie . If this is the next best thing , I am delighted.
You reminded me of how I hired Patrick Whitfield to come and look at our Farm and land before we moved in. I was so keen !
He stood in my empty kitchen expecting lunch and I had to give him my sandwich 😂
You look like you are doing marvellous things at your place. I had a look at your very smart website.
Your right, growing old in this awareness is challenging. I also see it as a blessing . We knew the world before and if it gets really bad we will probably be ready to go .
Perhaps this is something we can write about or have a real conversation about sometime.x
Thanks for sharing your journey, Susan.
I also expect the system to collapse, and have done similar things. Growing food is becoming more important, as is stocking up on dry goods and bulk ordering organic food with friends.
Someone I knew went through the transition from apartheid in South Africa to what it is now, and I asked what advice he'd give. He said, "Keep your relationships clean" and that made a lot of sense to me.
Trust in times like these is the new gold.
Take care, Susan, and thanks again for sharing.
I knew you would also be ahead of the ‘Collapse’ Diana, you are so well informed.
All the practices you name are worthwhile regardless of the circumstances. I support my CSA and am in a local organic food circle. I also have medical supplies , games and lots of helpful books.
I love the advice you had about keeping “relationships clean “. One of the great things about uncertainty is making sure any rifts and healing of relationships is tended.
I learnt that the hard way when my Mother-in law died suddenly and I had’t made time to thank her for a gift 💗
Hi Susan. I'm wondering if you would consider sharing your list of helpful books? I'm hoping that a well stocked library would be one of the offerings I could give to my community during the harder times of collapse 🙏
Hi Lesley, I would be delighted to give a list of book recommendations . Are there any subjects that you are particularly interested ?
I do have a good stock of books as I agree this will be so valuable when physical books are hard to find. 💗
Thanks, Susan, as are you.
That must have felt so unfinished with your Mother-in-law.
Trust is something I've always valued, so the "relationships clean" meant a lot to me.
It did feel unfinished and was a painful but good lesson . Trust is a high value for me to live by and to look for in others 💗
Dearest Sue, This is brilliant, heartfelt, courageous, the truth ....what a great story. I will certianly share....there is more to share too, I look forward to that. Is Substack the most 'Private' we can be in your experience....? Hope we can catch up soon..... Let me know - Firehorses unite! Big Love, Chloe xxx
Beautiful Chloe, thank you for your wonderful endorsement and for sharing my story.
I am not sure about Substack , but work on the principle it must be better that facebook or Insta …but they are all tracking us.
Would love to catch up soon in this tumultuous , exciting Firehorse time BIG LOVE to you , Susan xXx
Such a good read! I too feel that sweetness in times of collapse. To be aware of the fragility makes the moments worth savouring all the more.
Thank you for saying that. It is much appreciated as I still have my trainer wheels on as a writer !
I am delighted you are joining in Courageous Conversations , welcome to this fireside chat.
I am feeling the fragility even more today as I am sure we all are. May there be peace and safety for all 💗
I did this too. Different journey. At 18 in 1989 I watched a documentary called 'in grave danger of falling food' about permaculture. I then became a wandering hippie. Moved to a big city became a musician and stayed till 2005 when I saw far too many signs. I got the jump on you and anticipated aging and bought land within walking distance to town if 10,000. Now 54, well set up. Chickens vegies off grid etc. but you are correct. My community is my strength. Hell, I'm friends with locals like David Holmgren- permaculture originator and others so my locals are high calibre dudes.
You are right. The journey is its own reward
Wow, that is all so impressive and you did get the jump on me . What an amazing community you have around you . Along with your set up on the land, all contributing to more certainty in our uncertain futures.
That all bodes well and lifts my heart that enclaves like yours are thriving. Thanks for stopping by 🙏🏻
My pleszgh.
Loved your story.
The crew here is absolutely next level BUT we are distributed a bit too much and our government is arse.
Still a lot of good stuff. Meat, veg, timber, fuel, booze, music etc, we got most of it covered.
Thank you , thats good to hear . Are you in Australia ?
Government here is an arse , especially for joining in the war..
We still have most of this covered and looks like we are going to need it soon !
Yeah. Central Victoria
Fabulous , you should be out of the firing line !
Just... Melbourne (which is a hell hole) is just and hour and 40 down the road.
My wake-up call to the collapse didn't happen suddenly, nor did it happen due to a sense of collapse. I learned that government and its attendant cronyism is evil. Sustain or collapse, I'm now against it. In many ways, I'm cheering for collapse, as more people abandon these institutions and make better use of their time, energy, resources, and intentions.
I am with you on that Dominic, there is much in our world that needs to collapse and be removed. We do need to abandon the old evil ways of exploitation and oppression to find better ways of living together.
I had my major political awakening earlier when I learnt about the Palestinian struggle and of course there are many more.
Thank you for sharing and your steadfast commitment to truth and peace.
Say “yes, yes.” Insist.
Work in wondrous wounded world.
Say “still here.” Persist.
A few beautiful words , that say it all Marisol , thank you 🙏🏻
A beautiful and riveting piece of writing, describing a fascinating story! Your courage and philosophical (read: emotionally intelligent adult) outlook shine through! I'm astonished you did Location, Location, Location, but glad it furnished you with an amazing farm house in Devon. And, I'm not surprised you felt misrepresented and marginalised. (We are utterly addicted to conflict / friction in storytelling, so all must be cast one way or another to achieve the level of sensationalism required to capture as many eyeballs as possible. It's tragic, and a really cheap trick! Especially as it tends to keep things pretty infantile and superficial, in the main, and veracity dies a painful death.)
I just watched this TED Talk, and it seems a synchronous good fit to what you talk about here. It's an impressive analysis... I hope you have time to watch it... it's less than 15 mins:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7Ay73HHHrE
Very grateful you have shared this part of your story. It's very inspiring. (I'd love to watch the Location episode you were featured in - do you know if it's available on any of the video platforms?) You look absolutely fab in the picture of you all. x x x
Thank you Rachel, that means a lot and is deeply appreciated…it took me a while 🤔 to condense.
You’re right about the conflict , they invented tension in the finished edits.
Even in a programme about house hunting , there has to be conflict. All part of the conditioning, that we don’t get on and to distrust others.
I will watch the TED Talk as I always like your recommendations.
As to the programme, we actually did two . A before and then a follow up. They asked us to do another one as they were popular. But we said no we had learnt our lesson.
They kept getting repeated, so Neil particularly would often be recognised in shops etc..it was our 15mins of fame 😂 not sure if they are still around , they did show them on Dave, if that still exists.
Yes, it's so hard to edit our own story, because we appreciate all the detail that has led to the creation of the whole... only keeping that which serves the overall narrative is hard to define! But, you did brilliantly!
I don't have a TV, which I think is needed for Dave...? Shame... I'd loved to have watched them both! x x x
Thank you Dear Rachel & I am glad you can’t watch the programmes.
I cringe at the thought 😱
Sarah Wilson is brilliant, I subscribe to her & its a great TED talk . I have ordered her new book which she has been serialising on her substack . Xxx
So glad I found your work Sue, it’s such an honest and humble story that really resonates with me. My collapse aware moment came in 1996 when I read The Limits of Growth. I was convinced we had about another 10 years before some major shift and like you, though 2008 was it. Fast forward to now - my work supporting creative and social entrepreneurs is my expression of co-creating new futures. As I approach 50 I’m leaning even harder into convening spaces for collective dreaming and action. I have always been optimistic even in my 20s, when friends and family saw my views as doomsday stuff. The shift is all around us, it just looks and feels different to how I imagined all those years ago.
Ellen, I am so glad you found me and that my story resonates with yours. Thanks you for your kind words and for sharing your Collapse wake up moment.
It’s insightful to have the perspective of what you thought would happen , against what is actually happening.
That I believe is one of the main benefits of awareness, being mentally prepared and open to what is. None of us have a ‘Collapse’ script and thats what makes living now so interesting.
What you are doing and contributing looks fascinating and so valuable. I have often heard it said that it is our lack of imagination that limits our ability to create a better future.
Collective dreaming and action is what is needed now 🙏🏻
Hello Sue, thank you for this post, this is my first time and I’m all ears. I stockpiled food, both human and cat, as well as bought a travel trailer in case I needed to get away and live outside of my house because of this very topic. I cannot wait to hear what else you have to say. I ask that you be somewhat blunt and honest because we can’t tiptoe over what I feel like is going to be coming in the next 1 to 3 years. From what I feel it ain’t pretty.
Hello Kelli, welcome here and great to hear how you are so well prepared . Especially wise given what is happening now to accelerate Collapse.
I agree we can’t ‘tiptoe’ around in serious times. I will always be honest, not false hope or Doom but realism .
I am doing a LIVE with Zahra Sethna of Collapse Life at 17.30 GMT today we will be talking about practical economic systems to strengthen locally. Do come and give your views and experiences if you can .
I write a new short story everyday. One of my characters is my husband who is an environmental engineer he got his degree in mechanical engineering. I would love for you to read one of my stories or many. If you like them subscribe.
donnazolkowski.substack.com
Wonderful story, well told, and much learned from reading. Thanks much Susan.
Thank you Justin, that means a lot coming from you. I respect you as an excellent writer and contributor to the Collapse Conversation.
I love learning how you arrived at who and where you are in this moment. And who you are becoming. Thank you for sharing your journey. It is a gift and an inspiration for us to keep learning and growing!
And thank you for the mention and inclusion of our discussion. Let's do it again soon.
You are very welcome and as always I appreciate you and your support Paulette 🙏🏻
I would love us to have another conversation when the time is right.
We will do that!
Susan, thanks for the heads up on this. I will read it this evening after work 😊
Hi Kristi, I would like to know what you thought of the post , as it’s proving popular. It has brought in nearly 100 new subscribers and lots of comments .
Happy Sunday,
You are most kind Kristi 💝
A wonderful story, and no matter what era you had your wake up call, you began to create a life that you loved and learned skills that you enjoyed, that become useful, and even more useful over the years.
You asked us to describe our wake up call, mine was in 1971 when I realized I did not want to enter into the life I had thought was going to be mine - na wife, chemistry teacher, couple of kids in a station wagon somewhere in mid Michigan.
I had great help with some subtle chemistry and from that experience I took off with a backpack and a heart filled with possibilities.
So it’s been 55 years of living my heart dream, never being really fit for a job, although I tried a few.
Always in a commune or near a small town and now in the middle of this village, I am surrounded by the heart of my community, creating seasonal ceremonies, adventures and enjoyment for each other, learning and teaching. Always teaching, because there is so much to learn and to unlearn in this process.
How to cook with what you have, how to enjoy eating what you just cooked. How to save in store food without ruining it or going overboard. All those things.
Now, it’s a bigger adventure for the community as we began to talk and discuss and find solution solutions and take action on our own local food security.
We’ve been through the transition town ride, in the name of Willits economic localization, which we started in 2004
We are back again with this new impetus of realization for both climate change and economic meltdown.