Helping a curious mind

Discussion
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1

Hello everyone,

I’m a recently graduated Registered Nurse and certified yoga teacher currently looking toward my next chapter. As I plan my transition, I’ve been reflecting deeply on the importance of self-love and how that internal foundation influences how we care for the world around us.

I am feeling called to integrate gardening and working the land into my daily life. I’m currently looking for a community that values both personal well-being—perhaps through holistic health, yoga, or shared philosophical practice—and active, hands-on stewardship of the earth.

A bit about my logistics: I’m not looking to relocate immediately, but I am in the planning phase. I also have my own camper that I am in the process of fixing up and can easily pull along, which I hope offers some flexibility for a community that might be growing.

I have two questions for the group:

  1. Do you think my background as a nurse and yoga instructor could be a tangible benefit to a community? I’m curious if communities usually look for medical professionals on staff, or if it’s more common to have a “doctor or nurse around” in a more informal, community-support capacity?

  2. For those who have gone through this search, do you have any specific advice on what to look for when vetting a place—especially when coming with a mobile setup?

I’d love to hear from anyone who has experience building a community around these values or has navigated the search for land-based living.

2

It’s July, and we have been incredibly busy. But. I have been thinking about your post for the last number of days. Sorry it’s taken so long to reply.

Right now, I think I’ll only talk about your first question. I don’t know if this is actually true, but I’ve been told. In Europe, when people first meet, they ask each other some form of how are you. There may be more interest in what foods you like or hobbies or what a person does for amusement. In the U.S., the first question is nearly always, what do you do? What’s your job? We are (for the most part) a nation that works. First and foremost. (At least until maybe recently) it is what gives us value.

And that’s what you did. From your very first line, … job. ~Please don’t get me wrong. What you wrote is fine. It’s interesting. But, it seems very American. At least, very city American.

Whereas for us, here at our home/farm/community/gathering place, we are more interested in who you are. People write to us all the time. And often it is like you wrote. And always we write back and ask them (what ever comes to mind) like what are your spiritual practices if any, what are your hobbies, what are your favorite things to do, how old are you, do you have pets, do you have a picture, and so on and on?

So, here’s the thing. Of course any community is going to like and appreciate any medical skills a person may bring. Mid-wife, herbalist, Dr., Nurse. All good. But living in a community is more like a marriage than a work relationship. Sometimes how you like to play is as important as what your work skill is. Sometimes how you chew your food at dinner can become an annoyance. Or sometimes how enthusiastically you sing can overcome all other things.

If you are not good friends within a reasonable amount of time, it can forecast long-term living comfort. And that friendship, or if you will, family feeling, is by far what matters most.

~~Oh heck, it’s darn late now. And the cows will need milking in a few hours. But, I thought, if you have interest, maybe this little bit might help, or be a start of conversation. In any case, best of all good luck in finding your perfect place.