The Messy, Imperfect Side of the Off-Grid Lifestyle

When you think about off-grid living, it’s easy to picture serene landscapes, cozy cabins, and a life that feels endlessly rewarding. Many YouTubers and social media influencers show the highlight reel—the clean, perfect, and wonderful side of it all. But the reality? It’s messy, imperfect, and full of challenges that rarely make it into the spotlight.

We’ve been living on our property for 1 year and 10 months, and as we approach the two-year mark in February 2025, I feel it’s important to share the less glamorous side of this journey. Off-grid living is amazing, but it’s not always picture-perfect, and that’s okay.

When we purchased our property, it came with an unfinished cabin built from a Norwegian pine wood kit. At first glance, the cabin seemed like a bonus—a head start on creating our off-grid haven. Yet, once we took a closer look, the reality was far from ideal.

The cabin was in rough shape. Mold had begun to take hold, and carpenter ants had made themselves right at home. A large tarp covered the structure, and the seller assured us that the roof was in good working order, claiming the tarp was only there to make snow removal easier.

Despite its condition, the cabin wasn’t a dealbreaker for us. We had already planned to disassemble it and start fresh, so we weren’t overly concerned at the time. Still, we couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the work ahead of us.

Not long after we moved onto the property, Tyler’s uncle and cousin—both experienced general contractors—came to evaluate the cabin. Their visit was a turning point for us. They assured us that the structure had value as it stood and gave us ideas on how to salvage it. Hearing their perspective was both reassuring and inspiring. Yes, the cabin had issues, but it also had potential.

Living off-grid means accepting that things won’t always go according to plan. The cabin’s condition was a stark reminder that this lifestyle isn’t about perfection; it’s about resilience, creativity, and making the most of what you have.

We could have let the mold, carpenter ants, and tarp-covered roof discourage us. Instead, we chose to lean into the challenge. Tyler and I began brainstorming ways to make the cabin work for us—through repairs and additions.

Off-grid living is a wild, unpredictable ride. It’s not always Instagram-worthy, but it’s real—and for us, that’s what makes it worth it. So, if you’re dreaming of living off the grid, know this: it won’t be perfect, but it will be yours. And sometimes, the messy, imperfect parts turn out to be the most rewarding.

http://youtube.com/@walkersoffgridThe video above is the raw and uncut walk-through of our off-grid property. It’s a huge improvement from where we started and it’s ever-changing and involving to fit our needs. Here are some photos from our first 6 months! You can watch our progress on our Youtube channel Walkers Offgrid.

The cabin when we first bought our property.
This is after we removed the moldy plywood, roof paper, and partial shingles that were installed on the roof.
Tyler is installing additional supports for the roof.
Our nephew Mason is helping with installing synthetic underlayment on he roof before we install the metal roof.