Fuck Idealism

I had dinner with some hippies.

Typically, you think of DC as a city of politicians, lobbyists, and all the human infrastructure needed to support the political machine. Activists might work here, but we tend to think of them as polished, TV-ready, suit-wearing office workers. I mean, wasn't the Occupy DC crowd bussed in from other cities?

My dinner companions all live together in a group house in DC. If you have ever stayed at a hostel, then you already know what it's like to constantly have people around. It's kind of like a college dorm...with even the bathroom being shared by 7 people. These people are intelligent. They have high wage potential. But they choose to continue to live communally as a lifestyle choice.

They are granola, crunchy hippies. They dress like they are ready to go hiking at a moment's notice. The girls don't wear makeup. Boys take as many supplements as the girls and have mastered vegetarian cooking. A pot of biodegradable trash sits in a pot waiting to be added to the compost pile outside. Each week they host meditation classes. They are uber friendly and open to any strange practice...like homeschooling.

Each has an unusual story to tell. There was the young perky couple who met while working as Peace Corps volunteers in western Africa. A high school film teacher also juggles professionally on the side. Each weekend, he juggles at the farmer's market where his sister sells vegetables from her farm. My friend works at a Smithsonian art gallery in the restoration department. Some volunteer at the community garden, and plans are set for a vegetable garden in the backyard.

Since I used to raise chickens in the suburbs, they wanted to know the specifics. How could they raise chickens in the city? With all of my land, they hoped that I grew my own vegetables. As a homeschooler, they wanted to know exactly what perspective I taught my kids.

As our discussion ranged from the plot points of Star Wars to dumpster diving for free food, I felt exhausted by their ideals. They praised a group home in the Maryland suburbs where 15 people live under one roof. In this highly organized house, everyone has a job. Most food is provided by dumpster diving. Housemates co-parented the children living there. House dinners are mandatory.

Listening to their idealistic hopes, I felt like I was in college again. It has been a long time since I discussed how to save the world. On the onset, saving the world seems like a good idea. But have you ever tried to live out any of those ideals? It's exhausting. You have to be consistent. You can't start it, let it go for a week, and then come back to it.

Now in my 30's, I have no desire to save the world. I'm too busy keeping my own tribe alive and well. Whether following the rules of a traditional religion or following a regimented life of meditation and composting, I'm tired of being told what to do. Instead of worshiping at the altar of anything else, I'd much rather worship at the altar of me.