While reading through Thoreau’s section of Walden, I felt like his realizations about life and society where similar to what I felt coming back to the United States after studying abroad. In “Economy”, he talks about how he is “a sojourner in civilized life” and “the narrowness of [his] experience”. I chose to study abroad in Nepal because I knew that it would challenge me mentally and emotionally. I took intense language courses and lived with a Nepali family that helped me develop my language skills and cultural awareness. I lived a completely different lifestyle than my normal day-to-day activities in the US. I struggle to talk about my experiences because I don’t want to burden others with the stories – the reality of life is harsh for people of lesser developed nations.
After realizing I could live with so little, it was difficult to adjust to life back in the States. “Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.” I realize that the things I want to buy are not necessary, and yet I still feel the urge to continue consuming at an unsustainable rate. While I still struggle to understand why I fall into consumerist habits, I am thankful to be shaken by my experiences. I am thankful to be awake to this issue in my life, because so many around me are still asleep. Thoreau implores us to live simply, but I think this is becoming more and more difficult as our culture continues to develop and strive towards interconnectedness and values personal success.
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