There are skills that can take you places, making you an instant asset to many communities and organizations. Working on the farm should be enough to offset any rent and food costs, and if you contribute enough you might even gain a paid position. The farm circuit is full of intelligent, caring folks who like to work, have strong bodies and smile broadly as they greet the day. But you learn the important skill of growing food naturally, you engage in a healthy activity that builds strength and stamina, and typically eat very healthily. Getting up early is the norm, as is the physical labor. In my experience, living on a farm is not a leisurely way to get out of your typical routine. If the farm is big enough, they may be happy to take on anyone willing to work hard, long hours, and learn quickly. If you have some farming or gardening skills, you’ll have a better shot at landing a position with a farm. Ready to work? Organic, sustainable farms across the world are often in need of skilled and unskilled physical labor, particularly during the growing and harvest seasons. Life can be nice at spiritual communes, involving daily practice, working in the garden and kitchen, and countless spiritual and self-help conversations with others. If there is a local mystical Christian congregation in your area, they may have connections to continually operating monasteries that offer spots to folks on retreat. Modern Christian monasteries often allow one to live in total silence, which can be really nice if you’re dropping out to ‘get away from it all,’ including talking to people.

Buddhist temples offer a similar lifestyle, as do some Sufi retreats. If you have a small donation to give at the beginning of your stay, your contribution will help offset community costs and help solidify a place for yourself in the community.

You often don’t need any money to participate, assuming you can help out with chores, are an asset to the community and get along well with others. Hindu ashrams are known for offering a serene contemplative life while also engaging in healthy, active community work.

Hippie ways of life