Photographing My Way Back to Life: A personal message

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Eric Wichman

28 Sep 2025 — 6 min read

Dear Friend and Fellow Off Gridder,

First and foremost I want to thank everyone who has stood by my side through this rough time in my life. Thank you for your continued support while I deal with everything. I appreciate you.

As many of you know I'm not doing well, so I'm taking a break from everything for a while. (don't worry, the magazine will continue as normal) I'm just taking a break for my own personal well being.

I'll still be posting, but not near as much, and I'm taking a step back from the group, mostly for my own sanity and so I don't do anything rash like shut it down completely and walk away forever. I've put 4 years of my life into it building it into the largest best off grid community in the world.

But it's time I take a break. To do that I'm gearing up.

And...

I'm seriously considering getting back into my photography. See the gallery below of some of my work (yes, this is my work, not AI lol)

Continued below...keep reading...

I've been a nature and outdoor photographer all my life, professionally I did it part-time for about 10 year in my mid 20s to mid 30s. (I'm 52 now)

Then got into product photography and ecommerce. Since Then I've only dabbled in my art photography.

I bring it up now because I'm gearing up for a big change, doing some reflecting on my life and about to embark on something that's been decades in the making, so I'd like your opinions and advice. It's just a thought at the moment, something I'm considering.

Not sure I want to because it's an expensive hobby and I'm already struggling financially just to get by, but it did give me peace and happiness when I was out there in the wilderness photographing our beautiful world.

So what do you think? Yay? Nay? Couldn't care less? I'm open to thoughts and opinions.

I'm seriously not in a great place, mentally, emotionally, physically and my health has taken some really big hits recently, including almost dying back in June, so I'm ready for a change, something, anything.

I need to regroup and I'm thinking maybe my photography will be good for me. I realize me opening up about this part of my life might invite some criticism from the trolls and haters, but I just don't care about them anymore.

I'm asking my supporters, my followers and fans. MY PEOPLE. Whatcha think?

I gotta do something and this seems about as good a thing as anything else.

Anyway, I just figured I'm drop that and see what you guys thought.

In the meantime, If you get anything from my newsletter, magazine and blog I’d appreciate your support to keep everything going, advertising money is coming eventually, but it's not here yet and money is very tight.

It’s not required to held with a donation but I’d be grateful and it helps an independent content creator to continue producing and publishing educational off grid content to help you and others on their off grid journey. Thank you!

This is going to be a big adventure and a big step for me personally while I get through this rough patch. I'll be grateful for any help you can provide.

The best way to help is to subscribe to my magazine. If the magazine isn’t your thing then a donation is greatly appreciated. Use the links below to help out however you can.

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