Druid in the City: So, Camping

Druid in the City: So, Camping September 8, 2020

I’m too old to camp. When I was younger, I was willing. Then I moved to a tent that was very easy to put up and a cot. Now … nope.  Not doing it.  Give me a cabin or a hotel. I appreciate that there are people my age and older who love camping – I’m not one of them.  I’ve never liked camping. My idea of getting out and enjoying nature didn’t include the un-fun parts of camping.  I like to get clean easily (yes, I can take a sponge bath – it’s not the same) and privately. I like to get easily cooked food – yes, I can cook over a campfire, but I don’t enjoy it.

I’ve never liked camping. Image by Free-Photos via Pixabay.

I realize that I’m showing my privilege. There are people who don’t have a choice. And in those situations – do what you need to do to survive! Do everything you can to make your situation work for your survival. But I’m not them. I’m me.

I don’t know if this post will ever go live because of the sheer amount of privilege it shows. Yet, while I acknowledge my privilege, I don’t feel the need to give up everything I have. How did this post on camping turn into a post on privilege?

Yet here we are. I live in North America, my skin is white, I have a job that allows me to work from home safely (if somewhat stress inducing) and I have the privilege to be stressed out by my situation. There are people who would love to be in my situation. Yet, here I am.

I’m currently in a new city, in a new country, one with different issues from the one I used to live in. I’m still figuring out what they are and how I can help – all of which is hampered by the inability to actually go to the library or other places to learn or to help. I don’t believe that I do anyone any good by walking away from the resources that I have.  I’m more useful by living well within my means and doing my best to contribute and help those who have less. I need to keep my own sanity and emotional state in mind while reaching out to help those I can.

My Druidry is about helping locally. Helping those around me. Image by Joel Muniz via Unsplash.

My Druidry is about helping locally. Helping those around me.  So I do research, to find out more about the First Nations people who lived on this land before the Irish migrated here. To learn about the Irish who migrated here and how they were treated (poorly). To learn about how racism shows up in this new-to-me culture.

It is my privilege to learn, to have the space to take the time to learn, and to help where I can. What’s the point of privilege if you can’t use it to make the world better?

If you have privilege, of any kind, how are you using it to better yourself and your fellow people (human and non-human)?

And yeah, I still don’t like camping.

About Victoria S
Victoria is a practical Druid who struggles with balancing an urban life and a spiritual life. She is a member of two of the largest Druidry organizations - Ár nDraíocht Féin (ADF) and the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids (OBOD). Victoria's Druidry is about helping out in little ways, bringing hope and compassion where she can, and doing what she can to support those around her. Druidry, to her, is about engaging with the world in a way that makes sense to your circumstances and location. You can read more about the author here.

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