Smartphones are undoubtedly one of the greatest inventions to change human life.
However, the social media, entertainment apps, and communication tools that have emerged alongside smartphones keep us constantly “online,” bombarded with work messages, push notifications, and social media updates. Our lives are overwhelmed by information, and our brains are forced to process an excessive amount of data. We can’t help but wonder: are smartphones really that great?
When smartphones transitioned from being a “tool” to a “necessity,” people realized they were being controlled by the devices—scrolling through phones before bed, staring at screens while eating, checking messages while walking. Authentic human interaction and natural experiences were being squeezed out by the virtual world.
Thus, people are returning to nature, using “offline” practices to rediscover the joys of life. Moving into a small cabin in the forest, locking electronic devices in a box, collecting wild vegetables, and beginning to experience a self-sufficient natural lifestyle. Off-grid living is quietly gaining traction, attracting increasing attention and experimentation.
This article will take you through the definition of off-grid living, why people choose it, and how to start an off-grid lifestyle, providing a detailed explanation of its appeal to modern people.
The Definition and Essence of Off-Grid Living
Off-grid living, simply put, is a lifestyle that breaks free from dependence on modern infrastructure such as the public power grid, urban water supply systems, and network communications. It is not merely about being without internet access; it involves seeking self-sufficiency and independence in multiple aspects, including energy acquisition, supply of daily necessities, and social interaction. The core of off-grid living is returning to nature, pursuing a simple and pure lifestyle, reducing dependence on external complex systems, and reestablishing deep connections with oneself, others, and the natural environment.
In developed countries, an increasing number of people are actively choosing off-grid living as a way to pursue a high-quality lifestyle and realize self-worth. Meanwhile, more and more British people are beginning to try disconnecting from the internet during holidays for “digital detox.”
According to a survey report by The Debrett’s, British adults spend an average of 25 hours online per week, but 16% of travelers choose not to connect to the internet at their vacation destinations, and 9% actively seek out places with no mobile phone signal for their vacations. In addition to short-term offline breaks during vacations, some people choose to live offline long-term or even permanently.
Why do we pursue an off-grid lifestyle?
Escaping the digital deluge to regain focus and tranquillity
With the widespread use of smartphones, social media, and various information apps, we are inundated with a flood of information every day. Work messages, social media updates, and advertising notifications constantly flood in, keeping our brains in a constant state of activity.
Pursuing an off-grid lifestyle is a form of resistance against this state of digital overload. By disconnecting from the internet and freeing ourselves from the barrage of information, we can regain the ability to focus on tasks and enjoy inner peace.
Seeking Authentic Connections and Rebuilding Intimate Relationships
While online social media allows us to connect with people worldwide, these connections are often superficial and virtual.
In the virtual world, communication often becomes superficial, making it difficult to build truly deep and intimate relationships. In contrast, off-grid living encourages people to return to reality and place greater emphasis on face-to-face communication and interaction. Without the distraction of the internet, people can listen more attentively to others, thereby building more authentic and meaningful interpersonal relationships.
A survey report by The Debreli found that 44% of those who chose to go on holiday without their phones said that disconnecting from the internet gave them more time to do other things, while 38% felt it allowed them to spend more time with family and friends.
Focusing on environmental protection and practising sustainable development
This lifestyle typically emphasises off grid solar systems, reducing dependence on traditional fossil fuels and thereby lowering carbon emissions.
Additionally, the principles of self-sufficiency in food production and reduced consumption in off-grid living also help minimise resource waste and environmental pollution. Choosing off-grid living is an active step towards environmental protection, contributing to the sustainable development of the Earth by changing one’s lifestyle. Off-grid living offers them an opportunity to break free from these constraints and explore a new, uniquely personal lifestyle. In an off-grid environment, people must independently address various aspects of daily life, such as constructing dwellings, securing food supplies, and ensuring energy availability.
This not only hones individual survival skills and creativity but also fosters a sense of unprecedented freedom and autonomy. For those seeking to break away from conventional norms and pursue individuality, off-grid living holds immense appeal.
How to Start an Off-Grid Lifestyle
Pre-Planning and Preparation
Clarify your goals and expectations: Before deciding to start an off-grid lifestyle, it is important to carefully consider why you want to go off-grid and what you expect from such a lifestyle. Is it to pursue a peaceful living environment, or to challenge yourself and achieve self-sufficiency? Clarifying these goals will help you make more appropriate choices in your subsequent planning and implementation.
Choose the Right Location: Location selection is critical and requires consideration of multiple factors such as climate and natural resources. Additionally, you must consider local laws and regulations to ensure your off-grid lifestyle does not violate relevant provisions. If you simply wish to experience it, nearby rural areas are also good options.
Set a budget: Off-grid living requires initial investment in equipment. You need to create a detailed budget, including costs for purchasing solar panels, wind turbines, energy storage batteries, tents, sleeping bags, tools, and other equipment. You can learn these skills by participating in wilderness survival training courses, reading relevant books, and watching instructional videos. When faced with problems, do not panic but remain calm, think clearly, and seek solutions.
However, we need to make one thing clear: living off-grid does not mean being disconnected from modern life. We can still use the convenience of technology to help us adjust our lifestyle.
For those who are just beginning to try off-grid living or are only experiencing it for a short period of time, portable power stations are a very practical choice. They do not require a complicated installation process and can be used directly, helping people adapt more easily to the energy needs of off-grid living. Let’s first take a look at its advantages over old-style generators.
Now that we ‘ve seen the advantages of modern portable power sources, let’s take a closer look at whether Jackery can satisfy our off-grid lifestyle.
With the continuous advancement of technology, the performance of portable power products is also constantly improving, with increasing capacity, faster charging speeds, and longer service lives, providing more reliable energy security for off-grid living. Let’s take a closer look at how Jackery Solar Generator 2000 v2 performs.
2042Wh Capacity & 2200W Output: Powers Most of Devices, lasts 10 Years (4000 Life Cycles)。And Advanced 200W solar cells with multi-layer tech featuring a high solar conversion efficiency of up to 25%。Built with a durable ETFE-laminated case for longevity, it features an adjustable angle for maximum sunlight absorption. Lightweight, foldable, and easy to connect to a power station—perfect for outdoor adventures and home battery backup.
Lightest and Smallest 2kWh LiFePO4 Power Station¹: the world’s first 2kWh LiFePO4 battery with advanced EV-grade CTB (Cell to Body) Structure technology⁵, designed to be lighter and more compact at just 38.6 lbs — about the weight of a suitcase. With a foldable handle for easy carrying, it’s the perfect power solution for road trips, camping, and off-grid living.
Multiple Charging Modes: AC/Solar/Car/AC+Solar/AC+Car; Full battery in just 1.33 hours with Emergency Super Charge
ChargeShield 2.0 Protection Technology: 62 Layers of Comprehensive Protection with Safety Standards Cerfitication
Savng Energy Bills: Harness Free Solar Power to Replace Costly Grid Electricity
Innovative GaN Inverter: One Charge A Day — Boosted Lifespan by 15,330 Minutes, 175.9kg of Carbon Emissions Saved over 10 Years⁴
After learning about the product, you may still have reservations, as you have never explored portable power station before. However, it is worth noting that Jackery was founded in 2012 by a group of innovative pioneers in battery technology, driven by a bold vision: to make renewable energy accessible for both household use and outdoor activities, thereby contributing to the creation of a sustainable and more resilient future.
Initially, the company focused on serving outdoor enthusiasts, launching lightweight and durable solar generators. These products quickly became indispensable tools for explorers seeking reliable power in remote areas. These early successes laid the foundation for Jackery’s reputation for innovation and reliability.
With 13 years of dedication and adherence to strict standards, every product is meticulously crafted to pursue excellence. Each year, millions of products produced in Jackery’s own factories, certified by up to 48 international standards, are shipped worldwide, providing users with ups power supply. So you can purchase Jackery products with confidence, making your off-grid life more convenient.
Conclusion
In the end, portable power station like Jackery aren’t meant to change the essence of off-grid living, but to make this once ‘niche’ lifestyle choice more accessible in a gentle way. They do not replace the self-sufficient core of off-grid living — people can still farm in the wild and coexist with nature, without having to sacrifice necessary comfort and safety for the sake of ‘returning to the primitive’: no need to worry about running out of phone battery and being unable to contact the outside world, no need to give up the warmth of a hot cup of coffee in the morning, and no need to let fresh ingredients go to waste due to lack of refrigeration.
More importantly, they align perfectly with the sustainable philosophy of off-grid living—when used with solar panels, they enable the recycling of clean energy while avoiding the noise and pollution of traditional generators, allowing people to enjoy nature without imposing additional burdens on the environment.
It is precisely this ‘preserving the core while minimising pain points’ characteristic that makes portable power sources the bridge connecting urban convenience with off-grid freedom. And this is precisely why it has become an essential companion for off-grid enthusiasts — using the warmth of technology to harmonise nature and convenience, giving more people the courage to take that first step into the wilderness.
Off-grid living is not about ‘rejecting modern civilisation,’ but about reclaiming control over our lives—deciding for ourselves what information to receive and how to spend our time, rather than being driven by our phones and information. Starting with small changes, you will gradually discover that without the constant influx of information, life becomes clearer and more meaningful.
Read more:
Escape the grip of your phone—a guide to living offline
