When “Normal” Becomes Strange – Reflections from a Simple Life in Dalarna
After spending some time in my cabin — or rather, in my fäbod — without running water, without electricity, and with an outhouse as part of everyday life, I’ve begun to see the world differently.
Seeing the World with New Eyes
Out here, I’m closer to nature — closer to silence, darkness, wind, and fire. The more time I spend here, the stranger the so-called “normal” society appears.
What Is Normal, Really?
What we often call normal life is, in reality, a constant state of stress: Rushing to work, striving to afford the latest things, paying off loans, and keeping up with society’s endless expectations.
I did the same myself — worked harder and harder to maintain a life that looked “normal” on paper. Job, apartment, car, stuff. But deep down? It was madness.
Own Picture:
Nature’s Simplicity as a Contrast
Here in the fäbod, the rules are different. Fire means warmth, water comes from a bucket, and the starry sky is the evening’s entertainment.
It reminds me that much of what we chase in modern life are illusions — needs we’ve been taught to have.
In the end, it takes very little to live well.
Simple Doesn’t Mean Easy
The simple life isn’t always easy. Wood must be chopped, water carried, and darkness can sometimes feel overwhelming. But it’s real. Every action is tangible.
And within that, an insight emerges: society’s machinery is built on illusions — while nature always tells the truth.
Money – Reality or Invention?
Many people believe that money is the most real thing we have. But money is just a system, an agreement — numbers on a screen.
The fire that warms me, the scent of spruce needles in the evening air, the taste of freshly boiled coffee on the porch — that is reality.
No amount of money can replace the presence of those moments.
When “Normal” Becomes the Strange
Looking at society from the outside, its norms start to feel alien. Chains of stress and expectations that people struggle under — often without asking why.
The so-called normal life? Perhaps it’s the most abnormal of all.
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Personal Reflections
Reflection 1:
I realize more and more that I don’t want to return to the hamster wheel. It only brought emptiness. Here in simplicity, there’s both freedom and meaning.
Reflection 2:
At the same time, I understand why it’s hard for many to break free. You get caught in the system — just as I once did — and believe it’s the only way to live.
Own Picture;
FAQ – Simple Living Questions
Is it hard to live without running water or electricity?
Yes, it takes adjustment and more hands-on work, but you adapt surprisingly quickly.
Do you save money by living simply?
Often yes — but the biggest gain isn’t financial. It’s mental: less stress, more freedom.
Can you combine simple living with the modern world?
Absolutely. Many people choose to live simply for part of the year to find balance.
Don’t you get lonely in a cabin or fäbod?
Sometimes, yes. But solitude can also be strength — time to think, reflect, and find yourself.
What’s the biggest difference from “normal” life?
That every day feels more real. Every action has purpose and meaning.
Conclusion – When the Normal Becomes the Strange
Living close to nature, with few comforts, changes your perspective. What once seemed natural — working yourself to exhaustion just to fit in — now appears as the strangest thing of all.
In the end, maybe reality isn’t about possessions or money. Reality is the log crackling in the fire, the stars shining above, and the silence that surrounds you when everything else fades away.
Petter Hansson är frilansskribent och digital nomad med hjärtat i Dalarna. Han har under många år rest, vandrat och deltagit i evenemang runt om i landskapet och delar här med sig av både egna upplevelser och faktagranskade tips. På Dalarna.nu vill han lyfta fram det bästa av regionens natur, kultur och historia – från små byar och dolda pärlor till stora festivaler och klassiska resmål.
