Posted on by Writer of Words, etc

The cabin question

I saw a cabin like this somewhere on social media a couple of weeks ago.

It was a meme, of sorts. It went something like this (I’m paraphrasing):

This is a basic cabin with food, water and a wood fireplace. There is no tv, no wifi, no phone, no internet. You have food and water and firewood. Can you stay here for one month? If yes you can collect a prize of $100,000.

My initial answer was an immediate HELL YES. 🙂

One month? I have food, water and warmth? Who cares about the internet or tv…

And then, I read the comments on that thread. 😲

One woman was adamant she could not live without the internet for a month. This shocked me (but also didn’t). Even with the $100k prize, she refused.

A lot of responses sent back the question ‘are there books/can I bring books‘ which doesn’t surprise me. Imagine spending a month in a cabin like this, with relative comfort, just reading…how amazing would that be?

Quite a few people said they’d write their own books, or finish their novels. I thought that too but I did have a question (to myself). Is there electricity in this cabin? I personally prefer typing to writing by pen, so my question would be, if there is electricity I’d bring the laptop and type out my stories. If not, I’d get a typewriter (lol). But, ultimately, I am just as willing to write my book(s) on paper with a pen. No biggie for a month.

Many people wanted to bring puzzles. I get that, too… it’s a good way to tune out while completing something interesting or intriguing. For instance, I have a puzzle that is the periodic table, I’d totally work on that thing. And another one, a famous painting called Starry starry night by Vincent Van Gogh. We’ve started both puzzles but didn’t finish them due to lack of space. But I’d bring them to the cabin and do them there.

A few people mentioned that the month in the cabin would be tougher to accomplish if they were not allowed to leave. For instance, to go on hikes or spend other time outside (besides chopping wood). It wasn’t clear whether or not you were to stick close to the cabin or not, but I can’t see why you wouldn’t be able to explore nature around you while living in the cabin for a month.

Two women (maybe more) said they would not leave the kids behind. I’m thinking….WHAT? 👀 lol Now before you think I don’t love my kids to the moon and back, I so would not want to bring them to a cabin like this. I’ve been a SAHM for 15 years (on and off) and in on-and-off-again lockdown for 10 months, I am NOT bringing the kids. Perhaps I should send them to their own cabin for a month though (or, maybe start with a week…) 😀 (They’re avid campers, I’m not worried they wouldn’t survive, although the wifi withdrawal might be somewhat painful.) But no. Kids not allowed. Point is, you do this alone.

One guy dismissed the money as an incentive. “Why would I do it if I don’t need the money” he said. My response to that would have been “take the prize and put it to good use – help children with terminal illnesses, save an endangered animal, feed the hungry, support a humane society, pay tuition for a less fortunate person than you…” I mean, the possibilities are endless. To simply reject the money seems a strange reason to avoid participating.

A woman responded that although she’d be mildly inconvenienced without internet she would look forward to getting rid of debt at the end of the month and begin some long sought-after project. She had the right attitude, I thought…(and if you don’t have debt or don’t want to keep the money you could help someone out who does have debt…)

Anyway, I thought it was a cute little meme. Your turn to contemplate. Would you stay in that cabin, in the winter, chop your own firewood, have plenty to eat and drink, for a month? All alone? Without internet, phones or tv?

See you in the comments.

65 Replies to “The cabin question”

      1. Just read a book about a couple who did just that in the 50s. A Place in the Woods is the title. They left their life in Chicago and moved to a rustic cabin with no electricity. Chopped wood for heat. Used kerosene lamps for light. I couldn’t do it, only because I hate hard work. LOL

        Liked by 1 person

    1. I could think of a few stories involving a cabin like this…

      There’s a book I read called “The Wall” by a German author (Marlene Haushofer) and it talks about a woman who was trying to survive in such a cabin all alone in a dystopian society (written in 1963 I think). Very intriguing.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  5. It is a very interesting question, because although at first it seems like we are in a beautiful looking cabin, only without internet, there are still so many questions about what we can and can’t do. While thinking of it, money shouldn’t be important, although in the world we are in it sort of has to be.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. The money is the incentive for some people. I certainly would be happy to take the money to pay off the mortgage or something. But if you read through the comments you’ll find many people would do it without the financial incentive.

      Thank you for reading and commenting.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  6. I would do it even without the financial incentive. A whole month of not being responsible for anyone but myself sounds glorious.

    All I would need would be a pair of walking boots, my camera and a large stack of books.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I understand. Yet it’s only for a month. Just imagine how you might be able to assist someone you love with that prize money. Not to mention, letting people find a way to figure out solutions to their problems. I learned this the hard way – I couldn’t leave the kids thinking all sorts of inconveniences might befall them.

      Well you know what? Those inconveniences taught them innovation and problem solving skills. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  9. The money’s not a huge motivation for me. The cabin looks quiet and peaceful–with the exception of the internet (which I could easily lose for a month) I kind of live there now.

    Years ago, I went on a tour of the now defunct Alcatraz prison. It was a mixed group–men and women. The women all raved about the quiet, and the view. (It’s on an island in the San Francisco Bay.) The men flipped out. The tour guide assured us that, in its operative days, the prison was reputed for having really good food. That nailed it. All the women wanted to stay. The men…not so much.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Really? I can tell you about a thousand stories about times the army put us (in two man teams) in places that did not have any of the luxuries the cabin provided – a roof, wood heat, and a door. And only a month? I was once posted in the Sinai on watch, OP#5 (OP is Observation point). It was on a sand dune in the desert. No electricity (but yes, batteries for our radios so we could talk to command). We were 150 miles from the nearest civilization…no books, TV, typewriter, internet…kitchen…nothing that would distract us from our watch duties. We did have lots of interactions with desert nomads who would, on occasion, invite us to eat with them. Otherwise it was cold MRE’s. These posting lasted 3-6 months until the helicopter brought relief. Water was out of 5 gallon jugs. No showers, no bathrooms. We shaved with cold water out of our water tins. We did have a chessboard, but half the pieces were long lost.

    Like

    Reply

  12. I always wondered how someone survived total isolation in a prison cell without books, paper or pens, nothing tangible or outside of themselves, and I realized that they would have to travel internally and this is a very expansive territory. So, could I do it? Alone in a cabin for a month? I would like to say yes I could stand it and thrive, although I would end up talking to myself a lot and to any in the other worlds that wanted to listen. Smiley face.
    I enjoyed your post very much. Thank you and sending you lots of love.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. A month has a beginning and an end. You bring your paints and your writing and you look forward to the introspection and when it’s over you have $100,000. 🙂

      It would be challenging for me, too. But I could do it. And I would complete my very many books and stories finally!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  13. I would need to know if there’s indoor plumbing. And is there hot water via automatic means rather than getting a fire going? Indoor plumbing is really a must, otherwise I’d found face down in the snow between cabin and outhouse.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I will be the first to admit that an indoor toilet, especially in the winter, is a necessity for me as well (like food and water). I could, theoretically, do without showers or baths, for a month, and find another way to wash daily. But I wouldn’t like it. Still the $100k would not deter me. I’d find a way to manage.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. ‘l-.uh

        jn0It also depends on whether a moose is going to charge your ass on the way out to the outhouse.p[. [some tinkering has been done to this comment by Peanut walking across the keyboard…

        Like

  14. Absolutely. ❣ The absence of the things we are used to is nothing for 1 month. I’ve isolated myself for various reasons-and not for money for sure. I have first world problems. And it’s in solitude such as this we get to the bare bones of the essence of life. I’ve lived in log cabins and I love escaping to the forests. I love people but I’m sure most of us would admit it can be draining. I’m sure in a month such as this one would walk away knowing more about his or herself more than ever before. And hopefully leave with more understanding, empathy, and appreciation for the things we so easily take for granted. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. The absence of things is what I yearn for now. I have a few expectations – indoor plumbing is nice but I could manage if I didn’t have it. Hot showers in the winter are lovely (or baths) but for a month I could do without. All the rest of it, the luxuries, the distractions – gone. For a month, I’d be willing and perfectly able.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  15. Yes yes yes! No problem. Meditation, sleep, daydreaming, hiking, observing the local fauna, listening to the sound of the woods… I’d absolutely love it. And it’s only a month. I’d cook feasts, & do yoga, & totally reset 🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. Yes, absolutely yes! Without a doubt. My family has a set up similar to this in the deep woods of the U.P. in Michigan. I haven’t been there in YEARS, and I miss it so so much. In our little set up, we do have a handful of books, games, puzzles, hiking gear, swimming gear, canoe, wood burning stove etc… I would live there if I could, but it isn’t winterized. Oh I fantasize about going back. One of these summers I will. 💖

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  22. Maybe a week, but not sure about a month. Interesting idea though. There’s not a day goes by where I don’t listen to audiobooks but then I suppose I could read actual books if I was allowed to take mine with me. I’d have to have a decent notebook and something to write with. It would be very peaceful.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  23. If in fact there was only, food, water and firewood. All I need is my imagination and bask in the glory of my peaceful surroundings. This reminds me of when baseball was cancelled in 2020 I had a coworker that felt that couldn’t get by without baseball, I said if it was me..I’d either imagine a game as spectator or participant. I could so this this challenge with ease.

    Like

    Reply

  24. I’d give it a go I think – as long as I’m allowed to bring books, puzzles, craft supplies etc and explore outside. Sometimes I fantasise about this sort of set up. In reality though I also know I really need connection with people so I’m not sure how long it would take before I start to feel really lonely.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. My problem is other things energize me, like art, music, movies, so I need that around me in order to get my juices flowing. While I prefer no people, I am very sensual and need taste, touch sound etc which I don’t know a cabin would provide. While the hiking would be good, I d want to take pictures and upload them and look, etc

        Liked by 1 person

Share your thoughts!

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Google photo

You are commenting using your Google account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.