Interested in alternative lifestyles, returning to nature, and incorporating more self-care into your daily routine? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Those who are interested in an out-of-the-box lifestyle that encourages sustainability, wellness, and connection are likely to appreciate the quirks of Earthship living!
As technology continues to advance rapidly, making an extra effort for self-care and sustainability is more important than ever. Returning to nature is a great way to recharge and enhance our mental well-being while caring for the planet. This is where the concept of Earthships and alternative living comes in as a funky, unique way to live in alignment with nature and enrich your daily life.
As the socioeconomic environment fluctuates, alternative lifestyles are on the rise. This concept is a fundamental component of returning to nature and taking care of ourselves. These quirky bungalows allow dwellers to bring the outside into their homes while working with natural resources to create a simplistic environment. As the world grows more unpredictable, finding unbridled joy in the way you live is a key element of self-care and fulfilment!
Here’s the 411
Earthships were originally founded in the 1970s by Michael Reynolds, an architect who became known as the “garbage warrior.” His work focused on using recycled materials, such as cans, bottles, and tyres. These three things make up the framework of an Earthship! Reynolds prioritizes waste reduction through recycling and affordability. Their unique design and architecture make them incredibly special and alluring.
These structures aim to be off-grid alternatives that rely on natural energy. The roof of the home catches rainwater and snow runoff, which then gets syphoned into huge underground cisterns. Later, this water goes through a filter for in-home use. Grey water from the sinks and showers will be sent back into the indoor planter beds, where people are encouraged to grow fruits, veggies, and herbs. The home is solar-powered and heavily relies on passive solar for heating and cooling. Since Earthships are built sunken into the ground, they are temperature-controlled by the earth and often remain approximately 70-72 degrees Fahrenheit indoors year-round. Due to this, there are limitations on where they can be built and sustained successfully.
Currently, the largest community of Earthship homes is in Taos, New Mexico. However, the company Earthship Biotecture is working to promote the building of these alternative homes globally.
Meet Sarah!
Sarah is a lifestyle blogger on TikTok who shares her experiences living in an Earthship home in New Mexico. This lifestyle is certainly not effortless, and she does not shy away from the nitty-gritty details of off-grid living. From water conservation efforts, wild horses, baby tarantula season, and her hour drive into town for essentials, she shares the reality of her daily life in an Earthship. She runs a second TikTok account, @twogirls_offgrid, with her best friend, Chandra, who also lives in an Earthship nearby. Together, they share their experiences in the high desert in New Mexico as two girls supporting one another and fulfilling their sustainable dreams!
Bonus points: The inside of these homes is full of character! The use of recycled materials is both functional and artistic. No two builds are the same, and the standard floor-to-ceiling windows bring in tons of natural light. Linked below, Arianna Danielson gives a tour on TikTok of the inside of their Earthship, showcasing the beautiful architecture and stunning windows! The coziness and connection to nature that these homes provide are unmatched!
The Perks of Communal Living
A major perk of Earthships is community. Communal living is inherent and rewarding. It has also been successful historically in motivating social and political change, avoiding burnout, and sharing responsibility with a trusted group of people. Hyperindividualism has become the social norm, especially in the US, but alternative options are becoming more mainstream. Yay!
Personally, I believe the concept of “it takes a village” is what makes us human, and connection organically fills our metaphorical cups! If you feel inclined to explore living this way, it is absolutely worth looking into. Collective care is a beautiful way to cultivate change, build connections, and create a support system. I cannot wait to see how this concept expands as Gen Z prioritizes self-care and quality of life in ways previous generations have not. The expansion of communal living may not exclusively be in the form of Earthships, but this approach to sustainable and supportive living is a brilliant stepping stone for adventuring outside of social norms and expectations.
“The Bird’s Nest” & Collective Care
In recent news, Robin Yerian, a 70-year-old woman from the state of Texas, used approximately $150,000 of her retirement in order to build what she calls “The Bird’s Nest.” This is a five-acre property containing 15 tiny homes for retired, single, widowed, and divorced women who are looking for a strong support system and built-in friendship. Yerian was shocked when she received hundreds of applications for a spot. Her goal is to inspire others to live communally and support one another through the aging process. She uses the term “web of care,” which the community offers one another, whether it be care after a surgery, taking turns preparing meals, or driving each other to appointments. Robin Yerian is giving us a glimpse of how gratifying and possible communal living is. This is a future that prioritizes self-care, intentionality, and collectivity.
First Steps
For many, a massive lifestyle change is not feasible, or at least not immediately. Good things can take time, and the first step is surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals. Cultivating community may look like taking part in a local garden, signing up for a class, or volunteering. Otherwise, it is absolutely worthwhile to begin a group of your own, such as a hiking or book club. If a specific niche interests you, and you notice it’s missing in your community, I encourage you to fill that need!
The foundation of fulfillment and change is community. Gen Z has the opportunity to radically change the structure of society and its social norms when we make an effort to connect deeply and care for one another. Earthships are one example of how we can go against social norms, live in alignment with the earth, and support one another. Alternative lifestyles provide self-care, community, and abundance, and Gen Z can make it mainstream.
So, interested in the rise of alternative living and the various ways this can look? Check out this article about Gen-Z, migration, and life across borders. The possibilities are limitless as the future of alternative living is re-envisioned!
Susana Flores
January 26, 2026 at 10:47 pm
Such a cool concept ! This opened my eyes to being more sustainable and learning about earthship living ! amazing job !
Laura
January 31, 2026 at 7:21 pm
Loved your article and accompanying videos of real-life experiences in earth homes. The lifestyle does sound appealing!