Our daily life is becoming very hectic day by day and more people want to go out in nature and live a peaceful and stress-free life. The idea of living in the wild sounds so wonderful but there are plenty of challenges that need to be taken care of on a daily basis. First of all, you would need a shelter, preferably a tent that would keep you safe from the weather, wild animals, and bugs. The biggest question that arises is how to live in a tent long term. Camping for a day or two is fine but in the long run, the requirements and adjustments that you will need to make are very tricky.
Long-term camping for months at a time is definitely difficult to pull off and some people might change their thought halfway through. But we are here to help you if you are someone who is truly dedicated to leave their modern life behind and embrace nature by living in a tent. So let’s get straight into it and understand how to live in a tent long term.
Purpose
Before planning your long-term tent living idea, it is very important to know your exact purpose behind this choice. If you are someone who is going to live in the tent for just a few weeks to take a break from your busy life and spend some time with nature, then your requirements would be very different from someone who plans on living in a tent full time.
So make sure you fully understand the purpose of going out and living in the tent and then take further steps accordingly.
Location
The location where you plan to build your tent is very very important. Choosing a bad location without proper research could put your life at risk. Look for a location that has a small town or village nearby where you can get groceries and medical emergency assistance easily.
A river or pond nearby would be very beneficial as you will be needing water for almost everything you do. Look for a flat surface to install your tent properly inside the ground so that the wind won’t take it down easily. It would be beneficial if the land is fertile so that you can grow something of your own.
Another important thing is to do some research on the animals that roam nearby your location. Do not select a spot where Grizzly bears are daily guests, it won’t take a minute for them to take down your tent and attack you.
Setting up the Tent
First, you have to choose the type of tent you want to live in. The best type of tents to live in for a long duration is vis-a-vis tents and cabin tents. Both these types have much larger space inside them and you can also create your designated rooms inside.
The material of the tent is another important thing. Go for a material that is waterproof, durable, and provides a good amount of ventilation to you inside the tent. Canvas and PVC-coated tents are preferable. Once you have chosen the right type of tent, you can then move on to setting it up.
- Find a spot that is a little elevated so that it does not let water enter your tent easily when it is raining.
- Search for a flat surface that does not have any stones in between so that the tent is set up firmly without any obstruction.
- Install a groundsheet between the tent and the ground which also acts like the flooring of your tent.
- Put all the pegs of the tent inside the ground properly and have a look from all sides to confirm that it is set up well.
- Arrange all your stuff inside the tent according to your needs and keep some open space for ventilation.
Food and Water
The biggest reason why people are confused about how to live in a tent long term is probably that they are worried about their food and water supplies. In the city, we have access to everything at any time of the day but it will be difficult when you move into a tent.
As we mentioned earlier that it is recommended to have your tent spot near a village or town so that you can keep getting supplies on a weekly or monthly basis.
Living near a freshwater source can clear out your worry about water because you don’t want to spend money on packaged water. You can grow some crops around you, this would also help you indulge in some activity that takes you very close to the functioning of our earth. You can also make a map of trees around you that bear fruits, you can then go and look out for them whenever you need fresh fruits.
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You can also do plenty of fishing, it is a great activity to keep yourself engaged and also will fill your plate with food. In short, you would have to go back to the hunter-gatherer phase of human beings to survive in a tent.
Maintenance
You will have to take good care of maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of your tent and all of your belongings inside it.
First things first you need to create a toilet space for yourself that should be a little apart from your tent so that your tent doesn’t start smelling foul. You can either dump your waste or you can store it somewhere to create fuel or manure out of it.
Make a habit to clean your tent properly once every week and look everywhere for bugs or insects making their own home.
Recreation
Something very important that can be the deciding factor of your whole living in a tent idea. You won’t be having human interaction for a long time unless you plan to have someone with you on this tent journey.
It won’t take long for you to get bored, therefore make a good schedule of activities for your daily life which ensures that you stay busy mentally and physically.
Take some books with you and keep changing them whenever you go to the town. Carry some stuff for outdoor activities, like a fishing rod, a football, a gps tracker, a pack of cards, anything that you would love to do and make you feel engaged.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Living in a Tent
Advantages
- Staying away from the stressful city life
- Getting to spend some time with nature
- You can keep changing locations and exploring new places
- Cheaper and more sustainable lifestyle
- You would eventually become more fit, both physically and mentally
Disadvantages
- Setting up your tent again and again when traveling is very exhausting
- Weather can be your worst enemy at times
- You would hate the same type of food you eat daily
- You will be completely cut off from all human interaction
FAQ’s:
Is living in a tent safe?
There is no place in the world where you would be completely safe. Talking about living in a tent, you have to take necessary precautions to ensure your safety. Choosing a good location, carrying a defense tool or weapon, and being alert would definitely help you to live safely in a tent.
Can I cook in a tent using a stove?
Using a stove in the tent is some very risky business. The heat would require proper ventilation or else in moments you could bring the whole tent down. Instead, you can create an open shelter outside your tent area with just a roof above your head. You can cook your food here and eat it inside the tent. This is a much safer option.
What things do I need to set up a tent?
Setting up a tent is usually called pitching. It requires the tent material, tent poles, tent pegs, a hammer, and some nails. These were the requirements for a basic tent, different tents have different stuff and might need other tools.
Conclusion
After reading this article you would have surely figured out how to live in a tent long term. The idea of living in a tent depends more upon your dedication to doing it more than the things and materials you require. Once you have decided to do it, nothing can stop you from achieving it. With that said, good luck to all people who wish to live in a tent with mother nature.