Seeking environmental silence when mentally ill

[white knight]

In my 20's (I'm 66yo), I sought to be a hermit. It didnt work out, but it was a reflection of my desperation to leave society. I needed peace. Once I went from Melbourne to the Otway ranges, pitched a tent in the dark and woke up the next morning and my view was of a pine forest with timber workers along with the noise. I lost all hope of silence and tears fell.

Since then I've lived in the country mainly in small towns with the hope of a quiet lifestyle. I've learned however that where ever people are there is noise and holidays bring the dirt motorcycles and that rat-a-tat-tat all day. Most are on towns outskirts but some in the town itself on small blocks. These (often) city people if asked if they would like that noise next to them where they live they dont associate their city block with the same sized country block - odd.

Three years ago we found the balance. A town of about 4000 people. That size town usually has a hospital with after hours treatment, at least one large supermarket, medical services, vet and other services. It also has bylaws prohibiting such recreational vehicles within the town boundary. While building our kit house ourselves we resided in a caravan on the land and realised it was a quiet street not used as a through road for traffic and luckily quiet neighbours. We installed double glazed windows. We stumbled on the best mix. 

Quietness is among the major needs of the mentally unwell and if loud and consistent enough will hinder recovery. It also can interrupt meditation periods. So my philosophy is "if you can't beat them... get away from them. 

Any ideas on seeking a quiet life?

TonyWK 

[white knight]

Hi all

RX and ER.  I had homes with wood heaters. One day I worked it out. If I cut 1 ton of wood in the bush I'd lift that ton onto the trailer, then at home cut it into smaller pieces and lift it to stack it then lift it to split it and lift it to stack it then lift it to load it into a trailer then lift it to the fire hatch door then lift it into that then lift it to the fire. In all for every one ton of wood burned I'd lift 7 ton of wood.! Our new house has 3x reverse cycle aircons!

ER I love the inner garden, fabulous.

Dools- When we drove around Oz in 2016 we tagged along with friends. One friend told us she'd deard the indigenous peoples in Katherine were "dangerous to be near". We had to do supermarket shopping there at midnight and there was around 12 indigenous at the entrance. I approached and said "hey guys respect to your families, how you doing?" from then on I couldnt shut them up, very friendly and we joked as long as my wife took to do the shop, upon her exit she saw me and said "have you made some friends"? "yep, these are my new brothers". They all laughed. I never forgot that experience.

A silent environment can have a rival in terms of happy connections for peace of mind.

TonyWK

[Guest_1584]

Ahh yeah and exactly right to with wood heaters isn't it. Such a beautiful heat l know but l use to think my God the amount of work involved, it's a crazy way really just to get warm. And if you buy the wood, never did but if you did, not only you've still gotta do a lot of it anyway and jump up and down adjusting the fire all night, but if we're gonna pay for it we can have electric a lot cheaper and not have to do a thing anyway. lronic really.

And me to ER but l didn't have a name for it so thanks for that but l've felt that most of my life though nonetheless. One reason l'd have liked to - even though l couldn't have anyway especially mental health wise , but eh l could dream, travel the world trying to bring that very thing back into the modern world - would be to reach politicians. lf they only knew and felt the connection to the land earth and planet as the indigenous and some of us do , then they'd stop passing laws that allow modern man to destroy it all. And they'd also maybe then stop building our worlds and lives now into such an opposite direction to nature .

ps , great story Tony .

rx

[white knight]

Hi all,

When and if you decide that a holiday in seclusion is what your mind needs, I'd like to suggest that you restrict your mind to what you can visibly see and audibly hear.

Eg you find a spot in the bush, running stream, grass, silence then a year later you return but 5km before you destination you pass forest equipment felling trees. If you start camping and focus your thoughts on that activity down the road... you might as well go home, because you won't enjoy your stay.

We should learn to accept man's reach into secluded areas will happen and we cannot stop it. 

Things out of our control are best ignored to receive rest

TonyWK 

[Doolhof]

Hi rx and all,

We have quite a few birds that come to our bird baths I have dotted around the garden. On a hot day, I like to look out the window and see how many species of birds are out there. I would like to set up a camera to see them more clearly.

I find it very relaxing to watch them splash about in the water. Some are quite vigorous in their bathing and send water everywhere. Some take a very quick dip then fly off to a tree to preen. 

At dawn while I am out walking I try to hear the different bird calls and look for glimpses of the parrots especially. I will sometimes stand still for a while or sit for a moment to listen to the birds. Kookaburras frequent our region now and then, I like to hear them. The white winged choughs (not sure of the spelling) make me laugh, their antics are so funny. To me they are the clowns of the bird world except for when they use their haunting sounding call.

[Doolhof]

Hi TonyWK and all,

I really like your story about meeting the aboriginal people outside of the supermarket and treating them with respect and then chatting away with them. At work I try to greet everyone with the same kindness and enthusiasm. It helps me to feel a sense of peace at my work place which I hope to extend to all who enter.

I had a laugh about your story regarding wood fires and how labour intensive they are! As children we went out and helped Dad load up a flat bed truck with stumps from various farmer's land. We were helping them clear the land and they supplied us with wood. We also went out collecting mushrooms in season.

I'm thankful I grew up in the country and near the coast, so much nature to appreciate. 

We have some drizzle here today so I will go for a walk later and enjoy the countryside that has been washed clean and revigorated.

[white knight]

Hi Dools and all

I was caught up with racism in the 70's as a young man in the AirForce. Also, being mean to the females that just joined up. Then one day when talking ill of aborigines a older friend said to me "if you were that indigenous man and you grew up like him, you'd act the same as him". It made me realise that all people become what they evolved as. Since then in my mind all people are equal.

We have drizzle here in Western Victoria. It's cold. It's mid summer.

TonyWK

[Doolhof]

Hi Tony and All,

I've just stumbled upon your response above regarding racism. Where I grew up, the issue was not racism, but if your parents were born in that region, what religion you followed if any and your sporting abilities!

Last week I managed to connect with Covid! Breathlessness, vertigo and fatigue have paid me a visit. In the past I may have mentioned our place is not so quiet due to a highway close to us. Just a 10 minute walk up the road is a dirt track with bushes blocking out some of the noise.

This morning I places some goodies in a back pack and took my time walking up the track, stopping often to admire nature around me and to catch my breathe. 

Just off the track I found a lovely spot near some bushes in thick dry grass. I rolled myself up in the old sheet I had taken with me and enjoyed the warmth of the sun on my back.

Later on I sat in the shade, listened to the birds, watched the clouds, drank my water, had a snack and slowly heading home again. I felt refreshed after having been there in nature.

[white knight]

Hi Dools

That walk sounded amazing. I was experiencing it as you wrote it.

7 years ago south of Perth we climbed a lighthouse, one of those painted with black and white stripes. Once up there I could see for miles and felt the cool breeze from the Indian ocean on my face. Watching the seagulls soaring and the waves. Magical.

I'm recovering from a split with my sister before xmas. It's taking it time to get over. So I'm responding well to walks with our mini foxies and when it warms up off to the beach we go, about 35 minutes drive.

TonyWK