10 Things I Learned When I Moved from the City to the Country

1) Some things make you stronger, some just make you old. The important part is figuring out which is which before it’s too late.

2) A lot of people will never understand why you left the city no matter how much you offer your reasons (and empirical evidence) as to why your life is better now.

3) Silence will be the best thing and it will also be the worst.

4) Rugged individualism and capitalism go hand in hand like suicidal thoughts and a razor.

5) No one ever truly knows what they’re doing out here and if they think they do then they’re doing it wrong, or at least badly.

6) None of us spend as much time outside as we think we do. If we truly added up the hours we’re inside versus outside, it would be devastating.

7) You are always happier at the end of the day if you’ve done hard work that you believe in.

8) You will never truly know whether your purpose in life is your true purpose or simply what you want your purpose to be. Come to terms with that and keep working and learning.

9) Watch animals and see what makes them happy and then look at what makes you happy. If your pleasures line up then you’re doing something right. If not, chances are you’re indulging in some frivolous bullshit. I know for certain I am.

10) If you’re on any kind of healthy trajectory you will disprove everything you once believed as truth.

Adam Gnade’s latest book, Float Me Away, Floodwaters, is out now via Three One G and Bread & Roses Press. He lives on the Ruby Teeth Homestead.