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Get Mud Mountain the book.
The beginning.

My Greatest Obstacle

21/10/2013

70 Comments

 
Someone interviewed me the other day. ‘What was the biggest obstacle you faced?’ She asked. We were sitting on a rug under the shade of an olive tree surveying my mud house, which will presumably never actually be finished.

Obstacle? By and large, I haven’t really suffered too many major obstacles. There were small annoyances, like running out of money, or the weather not following my timetable, but these were challenges rather than great iron doors slamming in my face. They often forced me to dig down and find skills I never knew I possessed, or slowed me up and stopped me from making any number of mistakes. No, money, weather and time are not insurmountable obstacles. They are the crucial limitations of the physical world that shape any creative project.

But, there was an obstacle, a slobbering, great beast of a hindrance. As I sat, my dog gnawing relentlessly on a stick by my right leg, it welled up inside me in a bubbling wave of frustration. It’s a hurdle I seem unable to get over. And it is still driving me crazy to this day. The biggest obstacle I faced, still face, and that anyone who dares to create anything faces, is the seemingly endless deluge of naysayers, hell-bent on darkening your day.
Picture"You can't camp alone up there, it's too dangerous!"
‘It won’t work.’

‘You can’t do that, such and such will happen.’

‘Olmaz!’  (Turkish for all the above) 

The chorus resounds, on and on. Where does this incredible onslaught of negativity come from? And what is behind it? Why, when someone has never even thought about trying to do what you are already doing, when not even a single letter has been typed into Google, does he or she find the audacity to say ‘it won’t work’? I’m dumbfounded by it to be honest. 

I’d say, for pretty much every single thing I’ve done on this piece of land, there has been a squad of head-shaking, sighs of disapproval, or snickers behind my back. And if I had a pound for every time I’d heard the word, ‘can’t’, I’d be starting a Mud empire by now. First, I was told I couldn’t live alone on a mountain in a tent because I’d be murdered or raped, or snakes would bite me, or heaven only knows what else (I camped for eight months and I loved it), next I was told I’d never survive up here without water (I managed for two years thank you very much). As far as earthbag building goes, my house has apparently been falling down ever since I laid the first bag. I was told, including by architects, that under no circumstances could I build a house without concrete foundations (the house has survived a 6.1 quake in perfect condition), people said the walls were going to melt in the rain, that it would never be strong enough, some ‘friends’ turned up and even tried to push the
walls down just to see (I believe they bruised their arms).

Picture
The Earthbag bible backing me up. Are they convinced?
I realise I may be on the verge of ranting here, but I’m starting to feel like Joan of Arc hacking her way through droves of invading skepticism. My right eye is beginning to twitch at the mere mention of the word ‘can’t’. And I can quite see myself pulling the next unsuspecting naysayer up by the lapels
and roaring, ‘Have you actually TRIED this?’ 

The reason my voice is now rising an octave and I’m exhibiting a few traits of persecution complex, is that words have power. When someone is in the process of creating something new, a positive mind-set is crucial, and this ‘can’t, won’t, you’re mad’ type doomsday mentality can scupper a project before it even gets off the ground. Yes, telling someone they can’t do something is just about the worst thing you can do for them, no matter what your intention (and I’m dubious about that, too). Because you are actively helping them fail. It stops them in their tracks. It makes them feel at worst incompetent, and at best marginally unhinged for daring to step out of the herd. They waste precious time and energy doubting themselves (Can I really live in a tent? Can I build a house? Perhaps I can’t. Probably I can’t. I’ve never done it before. Perhaps I’d better give up.) Everyone has more than enough hesitancy of their own, they hardly need some other clever dick to pop his head over the flimsy parapet of faith, and add fuel to the fires of self-doubt. Which brings me to what I assume
is behind this bird-brained ‘can’t’ attitude; the insatiable need for people to cut down anything created by another in a subconscious effort to boost their own flagging self-esteem. 

Let’s say your project didn’t work out how you planned. Perhaps your earthplaster crumbled, or the windows fell out, or the whole construction was sucked down a sinkhole. So what? Would it have been really so much smarter never to have tried, to huddle within your comfort zone and play it safe? I say those who shy from the edge wind up bored and dissatisfied, hence why they have nothing better to do than tell you, ‘No, you can’t.’  And when things do go wrong, as they do from time to time, then you’ll see the truth in the smirks lurking behind the naysayer’s veil of concern. They actually WANT you to fail, simply so that they can be right. And that, quite frankly, is just not cricket, if you ask me.
Picture
So, that is my greatest obstacle. And if anyone else is daring to build from the earth, that will probably be your greatest obstacle too (unless you chance to live in North America, where folks say ‘awesome!’ and ‘hey, that’s great!’ instead). Forget about the rain, and the roof rafters, the weight of the bags, or your lack of experience. What you need, throughout, is confidence. And sometimes it’s hard to find. There is really only one thing to do about it, spend less time with the wet blankets, and more with those who believe in you. And your solace may well be online communities of people who are actually doing things, instead of just flapping their tongues.

The latest in the firing line of ‘No, you can’t’ is my organic garden. Apparently, you can’t grow plants using broken down manure from your composting toilet because a) they won’t grow, b) you’ll contract bacillary dysentery from your compost, c) you have to be a goat to make decent fertilizer(?)

To see how the above is all patently nonsense, please look at my organic garden to find out the easy, clean and healthy way to grow vegetables.



70 Comments
claudia
28/10/2013 03:39:05 am

People don't see the world as it is, but as they are.

I don’t really want to become normal, average, standard. I want merely to gain in strength, in the courage to live out my life more fully, enjoy more, experience more. I want to develop even more original and more unconventional traits.
Anais Nin

While you're in good company Kelly, you're still in the minority.....

Lead on!!!

I'm right there with ya!!

Claudia

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WinterStar
11/1/2016 06:48:01 am

BEAUTIFULLY stated! And yes...good company!

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Steve
18/1/2016 03:02:40 pm

Any personal opinions, mostly unsolicited, are based upon the emotions a negative person is experiencing at the moment. Positive, can do it people are the only ones I care to have around.
Watch me! And either help or get out of the way!

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Kerry
18/1/2016 06:40:16 pm

:)

Kerry
29/10/2013 12:29:34 pm

"People don't see the world as it is, but as they are." Hmm, I like it:)Thank you Claudia, it pays to remember that.

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RockyMissouri link
21/1/2014 08:37:03 am

What an inspiring person you are! I am thoroughly enjoying reading about your building project... All the best to you!

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Kerry
26/1/2014 10:59:22 am

Thanks!

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Lisa Marie
26/8/2015 07:59:12 pm

I converted a 24' school bus a couple of years ago, and even starting with (essentially) a tank, pretty much everyone (especially men) told me that every step was wrong. That I couldn't do wood floors because they would slide apart the second I hit the road (they survived nicely, without a single gap); that skylights would leak (no, but all the rv's the following winter in a week long torrential downpour leaked like sieves); that I could never install an RV fridge myself...

The result of all this? A bus that is as much of a portfolio, a testament of my capability that stands proud (as do I) in the face of naysayers and scardycats. What got me through? A vision. Plain old stubborn grit. And a slight urge to flip the bird at those who doubted!

As I remodel part of my home this fall, I am admittedly saddened to find that I am still treated like a dumb girl at Home Depot: "you might want to take a basic woodworking class before trying dovetail joints" actually came out of an employee's mouth *after* I said I had already converted a bus. But the difference between niw and when I started in 2013 is this: I know I can do it, and I know that it is futile to explain to those who doubt. It is my vision that counts in the long run, and I who will sleep in that bed!

I really recommend that everyone try building something from scratch, for themselves, and soon! It has easily been the most physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging and REWARDING thing I have ever done, and now I want to do more!

Keep on posting, Atulya - you kick major butt and are an inspiration! Love to you!

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Kerry link
27/8/2015 03:50:31 am

Oh this has to be comment of the month! :)) Love it Lisa. And yes I hear you, it does completely drive you crazy. I had a guy from the forestry commission pick his way gingerly down the track to survey a fallen tree near my land. He took one look at my house and said, 'Erm you know how you should have done the roof?'

Naturally, I gave him a very hard stare. 'why have you actually built a house then?' I asked.

He shook his head.

'Well, you see I have, and that roof is the only one I've lived under in this country that doesn't leak, so sorry, but I ain't listenin' to you brother.'

He went back to surveying the fallen tree.

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Bambi in Tennessee, USA
1/9/2015 09:54:30 am

Atuyla,

You are an inspiration to us all, regardless if we plan to build something of our own in the future or not. You seem to have the drive and determination to do whatever you set your mind to consider as possible, your mindset allows you to find the way and complete.
If you have done it successfully, obviously it CAN be done.
You deserve all the love and praise that comes your way and MORE.
What an inspiration you have been to me. I live in the good 'ol USofA and there are plenty of naysayers here too.
Claudia, Kerry and Lisa Marie.....thanks for your comments and words of encouragement......Atuyla deserves every word of positivity that observers and readers bother to give her. Positive and Upbeat attitudes will get you way farther in life than Negativity. If you tell yourself you Can't.....then you probably Can't.
I have been an avid reader of Tiny House Newsletter and once again I have found a fountain of faith in reading most posts that come my way. As people continue to share their projects and ways and means of doing all involved to get to the end goal of completion, my head swells with knowledge I never had.
DREAM it in your head, have the WILL, follow the steps to Accomplish your dream.
With a name like mine, I am already Original and Unconventional....I think I have finally found the material of which to build my "house".....thanks Atuyla.....Turkey doesn't seem so far away, thanks to technology.
You will probably be hearing more from me in the future.....

Love and continued encouragement.

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Kerry
1/9/2015 01:02:45 pm

Thank you Bambi! Thank goodness for The Net, eh? And it is so incredibly heartening to see how many alternative building and lifestyle sites there are, and how popular they are. Things are changing. Yippee!

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Leandro Souza link
11/9/2015 01:40:43 am

Vou escrever em português e vocês façam como eu usem o Google tradutor. Risos.
Moro no Brasil no planalto centrslcentral em Brasília na capital aqui vivemos no cerrado parecido com a savana africana estou pretendendo fazer uma casa de hiperadobe pois meu solo é bom pra esse tipo de bioconstrução. Mas estou escrevendo pra te dar os parabéns pois te vejo como uma grande desbravadora quando leio seus artigos me sinto lendo um livro de aventura. tudo de bom e muita força.

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Cathy Hamilton
21/9/2015 03:25:46 pm

i understand completely about the nay Sayers! My family has been so hell bent on my failure that they have done everything to discourage me to the point I have refused further contact until my "project" is finished, but like you I doubt if it will ever be truly be finished!

My hillside was excavated last year, and the footers dug mechanically (too deep, wrong placement, and too wide) I had to fill in, dig by hand, and smooth out the mess. Winter came, and when spring arrived so did monsoon rains that collapsed much of my hard work. I had to redig portions of the footers and fill with more rock, and crushed stone. Finally the footers are ready to start the walls, but it is too close to winter here!

The Lord willing, I will be able to start filling bags this spring!

You give me much encouragement, as I too live alone and have to contend with nature and the elements on my own, but with Gods constant presence I am protected from harm!

May God watch over you as well!

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Bambi
22/9/2015 05:31:46 am

So, Cathy Hamilton.... Do you live in the USA? or elsewhere? I'm just curious Where you are preparing to build.
It is amazing to me how sometimes people we are closest to seem to have a lack of faith in their own family or loved ones. We need to have faith that If we Put Our Minds To "IT", we can "DO IT". Positivity is a Very Powerful Energy, you need to Maintain Focus to accomplish your goals.
Naysayers are full of Negative Energy....put some distance there.

Good luck....with a little more positive jujus and some warmer times to come....It Will Happen!!!

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Clay
29/12/2015 08:10:48 am

I also wonder where all the projects are as I am in Ca. USA ( the land of permits,rules and restrictions. I am wondering if anyone else deals with this

Kerry
22/9/2015 10:30:40 am

I've often thought that every apparent obstacle was in fact helping me in ways I didn't quite know yet (ie who knows? May be it will snow where you are this winter and so you'll be sighing with relief that you didn't start the bags earlier.) Lately I've noticed that even the naysayers have brought me benefit. Once your house is complete, it gives you such an inner confidence, so that eventually nothing anyone can say about anything in your life affects you. I now feel impervious to the criticisms of others. This inner confidence can spread into every area of my life; writing, art, choice of friends, work and it produces such power! Ah enjoy the ride Cathy.

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Shenique
5/10/2015 12:23:33 pm

Thanks for telling your story it has been a great source of support for the rest of us...

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Atulya
5/10/2015 09:38:26 pm

So glad it proves useful Shenique.

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Gillian
20/10/2015 07:32:14 pm

Really encouraged by your story, I got land in Wales UK, and I'm no builder but I'm seriously doing research to build an Eco friendly fish farm this is the beginning of my own eureka moment and I hope to be totally self efficient, so to hear that you got negatives from all asunder and concurred is encouraging,thanks.

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Kerry
21/10/2015 11:20:34 am

Sounds like a great plan Gillian. Good luck!

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Awi ngak
7/11/2015 03:11:34 pm

Hi Atulya, I have read most of your articles because your earthbag home inspired me and my husband. I got interested to browse the internet to find alternative ways to build a house using soil because of the expensive materials for conventional concrete houses. Your earthbag house is a proof that beautiful homes can be made out of the materials that we have within our reach. We are planning to make an earthbag house in a rural area where we plan also to do organic garden and animal raising. However, just like your experience, we will also be expecting curious passers by with comments more on the negative because earthbag home is not yet done in the area...but we are determined to start our project next year. Thanks so much for sharing your actual experience. We are learning a lot from you....

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Atulya link
7/11/2015 05:46:01 pm

That's so good to hear Awi. Good luck with project!

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lis
7/11/2015 03:42:46 pm

You are right to defend your vision...the critics have no perspective or frame of reference...I am inspired and appreciate your whimsical writing the true creative force within drives your genuine need to surround yourself with this earthy connected place to manifest yourself...keep creating...for its own sake..you are making an impact!..😀

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Atulya
7/11/2015 05:46:46 pm

Thank you Lis!

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samuel sudhan
5/1/2016 12:07:08 pm

Hi, I am from Chennai, India. Nice Article. Many have done it , but can I do it? The biggest obstacle I face is myself. :(

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Atulya
5/1/2016 06:41:14 pm

Hey Samuel, if you've ever done the Chennai to Delhi train journey, let me tell you, an earthbag house is a piece of cake in comparison:))
Been to India many times and love it.
Yes, actually you are right. The biggest obstacle is always ourselves.

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Kathy
10/1/2016 04:00:07 pm

Wow - you made my day. I struggle with the same people you do - the ubiquitous naysayers- who stop me dead in my tracks with so many creative exciting projects I happen to be excited about. I will keep your well written article to inpire me forward. Well done!

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Atulya
11/1/2016 05:14:59 pm

Tell 'em to eat dirt:)

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WinterStar
11/1/2016 06:46:46 am

Such inspiring posts and comments! YES!
I survived guys telling me it can't be done, for a lifetime...6+ decades at this point.
Seem to remember one of the 1st, was some boy on a bike, screeching to a halt at our driveway, looking dumb-founded, to see a mere girl using actual tools, to fix a bike. "You're a GIRL!?" I replied, "Yep; is there a problem with that?" He quickly answered "Nope!" and scooted away fast...maybe fearing I might fix him!
Similar happened, while hunkered down by the rear of a VW bus, manual in hand, doing a tune-up, etc...car screeched to halt, driver leaned out, "you really ARE fixing that!?" I looked up and said "Did you have a question?" "Nope!" [zoom!].
Not so lucky, up against the college counselor, who, after my trying flirting and logical answers to his 1st attempts [really lame/ridiculous] to prevent me entering Architectural Engineering, resorted to threatening me with "IF you try to sign up for those classes, I will have you removed!"
So I stepped sideways into health sciences and other choices.
It never ceased to amaze me [and trigger increased determination to succeed anyway], the flagrant mysogyny rampant in society, even in the USA [though it's mainly hidden in plain sight; subtle glass ceilings, until you run into them--ouch!].
Keep up your brilliant efforts!
Women worldwide, look towards those like you, who get into it, do it, and succeed!
Others telling you something will fail, speak of their own fears of failure, fears of regulations, lack of experience, or, heaven forbid, lack of knowledge of formal science...which determined long ago, in it's great wisdom and knowledge of Scientific Laws, the Bumblebee cannot fly...
So fly anyway...despite them, and because of them often goading us...and to inspire others!
You ROCK!

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Atulya
11/1/2016 05:24:35 pm

Thank you so much for your thoughtful posting Winter. So much experience. Yes, I agree about that subtle glass ceiling, though I now see it's not everywhere, just certain places and certain people of both genders and various cultures. (There are some very sexist women out there too. Indeed, half of the people who didn't believe in me were women). Yet, as my journey progresses I find other wonderful places and people who are supportive, fair and positive. I now pull my time and energy away from those that block me, and put it into areas that allow me to thrive. Those places always exist somewhere. It's like a planetary law. And thus the glass ceiling dissolves for me. Thank you again for your powerful comment.

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Melanie
2/3/2017 04:36:57 pm

Winter Star,
As I sit here stuck on which foundation to pick, I realized from your post that my first naysayer was my dad (RIP). He discouraged me from becoming an interior designer/engineer/architect. I believe he thought he was protecting me & had the best of intentions. Only a trip on a time machine would help me know for sure if that would have been a better path. Granted, I have struggles, insecurities, and major self-doubt-I wonder though if the naysayers haven't inadvertently motivated me to prove them wrong? I often think what if...and then I look around me at my family and I think I wouldn't want it any other way.
If anyone has read the Bee-Man of Orn, by Frank R. Stockton (illustrated by Maurice Sendak), you'll understand where I am coming from. 35 years ago, my dad discouraged me from being an interior designer/engineer...hmm, what am I doing now in spite of this? Designing and constructing our first load bearing straw bale workshop, plus loft with attached greenhouse! Booyah! Just try and keep me down!

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Grace haven paul
11/1/2016 07:15:18 am

Dear Atulya.
You are an institution in yourself. An inspiration with a power
To attract others to fly and glide along in the roughest of weathers.

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Atulya
11/1/2016 05:25:06 pm

Beautiful words. I will treasure them.

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Jana McCarty
11/1/2016 04:36:19 pm

can you put electricity in a mud home? how?

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Atulya
11/1/2016 05:13:52 pm

Of course! It's mud, and mud doesn't burn. Your house is one large earthing device.

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WinterStar
11/1/2016 06:58:51 pm

+Jana McCarty , Sure. Same way electric is put into regular houses.
Either Grid power or Alternative power made on-site. You can run conduit embedded within the walls, or can place channels to run it in, topically. Or run it through the rafter areas. IF you don't want to run conduit [which could make future changes to electric easier], can use Romex all by itself. Just place it so that you have a clue where the wires are, and don't nail anything into the wall there--same as a regular house.

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Atulya
11/1/2016 07:11:17 pm

Cheers Winter! Glad you're on the team:) I guess I need a forum. Jana, I've posted a photo of how my cables run through the earthbag wall on the FB page.

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WinterStar
11/1/2016 07:10:50 pm

I don't know how to respond to Clay's question about Permits in places like CA. I can tell him that Nadir Khalili started The CalEarth Institute down in Hesperia, CA years ago, and started building Earthbag houses--it was his engineering which kicked-off "using the tools of war to build houses": sandbags, barbed wire, and cement. http://calearth.org Hesperia is in one of the most highly seismic areas...AND he got San Bernardino County to issue Permits for earthbag buildings, and also I think for his ceramicized buildings. What's mind-boggling, is that so few have been built in the S.CA region, since the benefits are huge, for building that way. I was ready to build an ancillary building using earthbags, in Mom's back yard, several decades ago.

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Kerry
18/1/2016 06:37:12 pm

I know WinterStar, this methodology is not particularly new, been subject to a lot of structural testing, cheap and easy, yet sooo slow to take off. I'm doing some research about permits. But there are states in the US with no permit required, others that do give permits for earthbag, and others that are plain difficult. You are right CalEarth is the place to go.

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WinterStar
23/2/2016 01:19:39 am

Permitting is more like...per County, not per State.
Some are really loose, others way too tight.
Many Counties have passed laws and regulations just because other Counties have done it, and they want to make themselves appear "uniform".
Counties change the UBC to suit themselves.
Until people come along and push to get those changed.
Mike Reynolds [?] pushing Earthships in NM, never got much notice, for something like 30 years? UNTIL he started designing in flush toilets. The original systems included composting toilets.
Most modern "civilized" persons, have a problem with seeing junk in a bucket, so to speak...much less carrying it out to compost!
As soon as he started including flush toilets [using multi-recycled water], more people started building them.
Building permit people also tend to make a big deal about seismic stability. So, one often needs engineering data to help back-up their plans, when applying for permits.
Like the Berkeley shake-table tests on earthen walls. Good research often gets lost in the dust of time. Those showed that simply by wrapping the earthen walls [adobe and cob] with chicken wire or better, mesh, even though not plastered, the chix wire held those in place. Can't remember exactly when those got done...maybe back in the late 1980's or early 1990's? But I think that was what strawbale and such started getting wrapped in mesh from sill plate to top plates.

Mike - the Walrus
21/2/2016 07:58:01 pm

Those that say you can't are normally those that won't or daren't try to be different! They tend to be jealous because you dare and often can! OK on the way we maybe have the odd mishap, adds to the experience, but doesn't stop us from moving on! If you want to you do and the devil take the hindmost. If you don't tell others they can't - you as a person have failed - sad isn't it?

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Atulya
22/2/2016 01:27:52 am

Indeed Mike. That's exactly how it is.

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Atulya link
24/2/2016 01:35:02 pm

I've just set up a forum for people to post and read all info about building codes and permits, and how they get around them.

So please go to the address below.
www.themudconversation.weebly.com

WinterStar, I couldn't reply to your comment for some reason. If you'd like to copy and paste what you wrote on the building codes forum, that would be fabulous.:)

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Stan Nissy
12/3/2016 04:36:51 pm

You don't need anyone's blessing, approval or permission. Why do even give the nay-sayers a moments thought?

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joe kersh
14/3/2016 05:49:58 pm

hello Atulya,
i have similar problems in discussing my ideas with others. most of my discussions are with one friend. he is very pro-normal construction, an always naysays my alternative building ideas. i cope with it by giving him permission to do so, as long as i can ignore his concepts and proceed with my own ways of doing things. we have been friends for 40 some years. both of us were draftsmen who moved into design. him more design than me. so we have fun with me thinking thru alternative designs and him trying to tear them down. in Scotish it is called flyhting. at this time i have 3 different building ideas working in my head. the first is shed style constuction on skids. small enough to load on trailers or trucks, with interiors. very "tiny houses". the second is a form of dome construction that no one else is doing. needs some experimentation. and last is 2 container house design, with a space between them of 4 to 10 feet. that space is built with floor and roofed section. shipping containers are very available right now. and finally i am reading up on earthbag construction. i am moving to El Bolson, Argentina. there are a lot of like minded people living there.
your site is inspiring to me. i discovered you a few months back and have been reading up on your ideas ever since.
keep up the good work. stay true to yourself. build huge compost piles.
joe

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Atulya
14/3/2016 07:17:50 pm

Thanks Joe, keep us up to date with the dome construction.
Glad you're feeling inspired. Like-minded folk are a real bonus in this work, so good for you for having the get up and go to relocate.

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Ilka Pia link
8/5/2016 11:57:05 pm

Om my Godess! Thank you for all this wonderful strong Women!
First of all thank you Atulya for your constant posts and thanks to all the other women posting their storys! I am going through one myself right now.
I am in a phase of change, moving back to germany wanting to learn how to build naturaly in germany despite all the rules. anyway. I got gifted a small trailer and I am currently working on it to make a little home out of it in that I can live in for a bit until one day I will be able to build my own natural house.
I am working on this project only since 3 weeks, until now I have not spend 1 euro for it, I used only recycled materials, and I keep on asking around for what I need. I have laid down a nice floor, build a bed, found a wonderful woodburning stove that i will install tomorrow and next will build the kitchen area. I LOVE IT! But there already have been days where I was so discuraged by what people said to me. "This and that will be so hard and its almost impossible to find a spot for your trailer that you can live in it in nature.
But somehow I know what "Urvertrauen" is, a german word for deep trust into life. I trust that everything will come to me as it already has so far.
A fiew days ago my neighboor told me he has a little piece of land with lots of trees and he would not mind if I place my trailer there. :)
It seems to me a bit that the critical comments of people made me stronger somehow to really go for it and do it anyway!
Thanks sisters!
Much love to you!
Keep on shining.

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Atulya
24/6/2016 10:50:15 am

I missed this one Ilka. Yes, I agree. In a way the criticism stokes the fires of obstinacy, and then when you prove them wrong, you feel invincible.

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Chris butler
22/6/2016 04:09:35 pm

Thank you so much. Very enlightening.

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Atulya
22/6/2016 08:43:07 pm

:)

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Connie
24/6/2016 04:03:56 am

Yes I'm having the same experience with people. You have nailed it on the head about negativity in people. So far it sends me into a tail spin of doubt for a couple of days and then I bounce back and get back to building my dream. Even though it's very hard physical work, I just keep thinking about how it's going to look when I'm done and that keeps me going. No I've never done this kind of work before but I've ready many books and have gone to a few workshops. Becky Bee says anyone can do it and I believe her.
I'm also getting a lot of pressure to buy a gun for protection from people and animals, but I'm not sure I want to kill anyone or any animals, that's not who I am.
So thank you for your article, I enjoyed it very much.

Reply
Atulya
24/6/2016 10:48:32 am

Becky Bee is right. Anyone can do it. It's not rocket science, though some will have you believe it is. I too was told by many to buy a gun. I never did. So glad because I certainly would have used it, and it wouldn't have been on an animal:) Guns just up the ante in any conflict. Better to learn some good negotiating skills, create secret exits, set a few man traps and don't forget; earthbag is bulletproof:)))

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WinterStar
25/6/2016 02:54:56 am

Well, maybe bullet-resistant; depends on how thick walls are, what those are plastered with, and what sort of gun/ammo is used on them.
I always was interested in having bullet-proof walls, especially after someone put a large caliber bullet thru the upper story of a small cabin we'd built...it went through the metal siding, plywood wall exterior, the insulation, the interior plywood wall covering, then exited through the opposing wall of same.
The guys that did it were "just partying", someone said later, kinda vaguely, and laughing it off.
If anyone had been in there, they could have been killed or injured, and the guys would have never been found to take responsibility.
Bring on the cob, strawbale, earthships, earthbag buildings!!

Paul Collins
29/9/2016 01:57:32 am

This is all so inspirational! I'm desperate to find some land & start building but I need to do a lot more research on building codes/regulations here in Australia.
And yes, earthbags are bullet-proof! I spent 13 years in the Australian Army, & 1 foot of compacted earthbag/sandbag will stop almost all bullet sizes while 2 foot of compacted bags will stop light anti-armour rockets.
Best of luck to all with your projects!

Marjorie Curtiss
25/7/2016 04:13:42 pm

Thank you all for the encouragement ♡♡♡

Reply
Atulya
25/7/2016 09:09:58 pm

You are very welcome Marjorie.

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Ashley Ferguson
30/8/2016 08:52:06 am

Thanks so much for the encouragement. That's probably the main reason I haven't accomplished 90% of my goals and dreams, but at the same time the only way I've had the many adventures I've had. Something about someone telling me I can't do something just has a tendency to light a fire under my ass,... That is until it starts to sink in and they help the obstacles along.

Reply
Atulya
30/8/2016 10:38:57 am

Yes, I know what you mean Ashley. I can't quite decide sometimes whether the naysaying is galvanizing me or hindering me. I think it depends on how confident I am of the outcome. If I'm reasonably confident, it motivates me. If not, it helps my doubts manifest.

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Paul Collins
29/9/2016 02:01:06 am

Thank you Atulya
Your website is a great inspiration to so many. We must all keep moving forward without letting ourselves get bogged down by naysayers and life's daily grind :-)

Reply
Atulya
30/12/2016 12:23:20 pm

Cheers Paul! Indeed, we just have to keep walking our roads, step by step:)

Reply
Tshili
16/4/2017 08:38:34 am

Thank you for being such an inspiration. The naysayers have been my obstacle to date and I am using their negativity to fuel me.

My right hip was fractured and dislocated when I was at school in Feb 1990 during political uprising following Mandela's release.

As a result I have over the past few years developed arthritis and sciatica in my right side. I had to stop working and decided to leave Johannesburg for rural Limpopo (1st naysayers). I've started planting my own veggies (2nd). I realised I loved farming and acquired my own larger piece of land (3rd..woman can't live alone and won't succeed in farming cos ur practically disabled)

I'm at the point were I have gone to bakeries and collected hundreds bags after they emptied flour, plastic soda bottles, glass jars and scores of old tyres. Only left with barbed wire and the building will begin.

The naysayers will from now on be directed to your website and will be required to pay when the visit the farm

Reply
Atulya
17/4/2017 01:44:47 pm

Hahaha..make 'em pay;) Yes and it never ever seems to change no matter what you do. I'm now in a van travelling Europe (which quite frankly after Mud Mountain in Turkey is very tame) but they're still at it.
You may like this post too. http://www.themudhome.com/the-mountain-blog/category/women-in-building

Reply
Harry
28/11/2018 05:46:47 pm

You are such an inspiration! When I first heard you on a podcast, I thought "Aw hell yeah she's awesome."

I live in the US and, like you said, everyone I talk to about my plans to build are surprisingly interested. I didn't expect any support at all, but a lot of my friends actually want to come help! I guess they're as sick of paying rent as I am (I'm 23. Everyone my age dreams of owning property). Plus I'll be building in the desert where the weather is much easier on the structure.

And p.s. yes you can make compost out of human waste. You just gotta wait a little longer for things to break down before you use it. So I've heard.

Reply
Atulya
28/11/2018 08:31:52 pm

Thank you Harry! Good luck with your project. The desert is perfect for earthbag.

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michel link
2/5/2019 06:42:57 pm

Thank you Atulya to be that warrior of the Light, world 's patterns can and will only change into better spirit with more and more good model-people and ladies like You..

Reply
Atulya
2/5/2019 09:08:39 pm

Thank you Michel!

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Jonathan Norman
23/12/2019 07:46:28 pm

This is great! You are totally right. the Nay-sayers seems to be the biggest obstacle in building with mud. I have just stop sharing my idea and focusing on demonstration.
Organic farming is wonderful. That is one area that I do know well. If you want health and wellness, Organic farming is the best way to go. Yes, Indore compost is the best way to go. You specially reduce your waste impact by returning valuables to the soil. The nourished soil returns nutrients to you :) . Enjoy the process.

Reply
nexa electrical supplies link
21/2/2020 06:59:22 am

thanks for providing useful information on Measurement and Instrumentation Questions and Answers Preparation

Reply
Ryan link
11/3/2020 01:54:54 pm

Just wanted to say thank you for that post about your greatest obstacle. It helps to know that others have struggled and come out the other side.

I am building a community of sustainable houses for homeless veterans in Taos, New Mexico, and it has been the hardest thing I have ever done. People like you help me to put things into perspective and keep making progress despite the negativity that often comes. Thank you again.

Reply
N
13/2/2023 06:11:15 pm

Just got this in an email and I knew I HAD to read it. I'm about to move to another country, alone with my two babies. My plan for affordable housing? An earthbag house! I'm already imagining everything everyone is going to say, and I know I'm going to get earfuls all the time, but I DON'T CARE anymore if people think I'm crazy. I'm gonna do it. Thank you for your posts!

Reply



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    Back in 2011, I found myself camping alone on a remote Turkish hill. There was no power or water on the land. It was the start of an adventure that profoundly changed my beliefs about what is enjoyable, or possible...

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