Talk about going back to basics.
A corporate worker has revealed how she gave up her 9-to-5 job to live off-grid in a cabin in the woods – with swimming in the river and foraging for food among her new daily activities.
In a YouTube series videosAlly Marie Brown, 25, from New England, explained how she left her old life behind to become more one with nature.
In one clip, she is seen wandering naked to the river to wash, and she even takes a dip in the dead of winter after cutting a hole in the ice.
In a series of YouTube videos, New Englander Ally Marie Brown reveals how she changed her life to become more at one with nature
In one clip, the 25-year-old is seen wandering naked to the river to wash up
The former company employee even takes a dip in the middle of winter after cutting a hole in the ice
Other scenes show her getting to grips with gardening so she can supplement the harvested food with her own crops
The nature lover taps birch trees for ‘thirst-quenching, nutrient-infused’ sap
Other scenes show Ally getting to grips with gardening so she can supplement food with her own crops and even tap birch trees for “thirst-quenching, nutrient-infused” sap.
One of Ally’s latest videos shows her putting the finishing touches on her remote home, which took two and a half years to complete with the help of boyfriend Kyle Dempsey.
While they prepared the cabin, the couple would live between there and an apartment in town, but now they have everything to fully embrace cabin life.
Ally said when the project started she couldn’t even operate power tools, but now she is fully proficient in drilling, hammering, sawing and more.
The duo built a lot of things in their home, including the ladder that led to their loft bed, their bed frame and the kitchen cabinets.
The local river serves as a freshwater supply and they have installed a gas stove for cooking.
To give their home a bit of character, Ally and 31-year-old Kyle topped it off with a red tin roof and shingles.
In another video, Ally describes the cabin project as a “fun journey” with some hardships along the way.
Ally and boyfriend Kyle Dempsey built many things in their home from scratch, including the ladder that led to their loft bed, their bed frame, and the kitchen cabinets
Ally said when the project started she couldn’t even operate power tools, but now she is fully proficient in drilling, hammering, sawing and more.
She tells viewers: “It was just such a rush and a learning experience and while it came with its ups and downs, overall there’s just nothing like it.
“I feel so grateful that I get to do this and it’s such a beautiful place.”
After quitting her corporate job, Ally learned about making natural beauty products and this is a business she can run from her cabin using ingredients she gathered from the surrounding forest.
Some of her products are featured on Etsy including a $24 organic cuticle oil infused with rosemary and cloves and a $28 organic anxiety oil with chamomile and lavender scent.
Kyle now works as a photographer and videographer and has a coffee bean company called Trout & Coffee.
While living in their cabin, the couple endured snowy winters and droughts during the summer.
In one of her Instagram posts, Ally discussed some of the challenges they faced during the dry season.
In one video, Ally describes the cabin project as a “fun journey” with some hardships along the way
She reveals in one clip that one of her favorite sounds has to be “the rain hitting the metal roof” of the cabin
She wrote in an accompanying caption, “It’s been a tough season. The drought is intense and brutal, and to water the plants, Kyle and I have to make multiple, exhausting trips with buckets back and forth to the river.
“In times like these, I remember the saying about the serenity to accept what you cannot change, the courage to change what you can, and the wisdom to know the difference. In short, don’t emphasize what’s out of your control.
‘After investing blood, sweat and tears, I had hoped that this year’s garden would be more bountiful and lush, and although it is far from completely withered, I have been quite hard on myself about it.
“But… things are starting to change a bit now that Kyle and I can come into the cabin more often and take care of everything!”
During the winter, the couple used snowmobiles to get to their cabin, and during snowstorms they were stuck inside, which Ally said was a bit claustrophobic at times.
She reveals in a separate clip that one of her favorite sounds “has to be the rain hitting the metal roof” of the cabin.
For a short period of time, Ally also lived alone in the cabin while Kyle was away for work.
She said her days during this time were filled with “a lot of maintenance: getting water from the river, keeping energy levels up, weeding, gardening, renovation work.”
After quitting her corporate job, Ally learned about making natural beauty products and this is a business she can run from her cabin with ingredients she sources from the forest.
While living in their cabin, the couple endured snowy winters and droughts during the summer
For a short period of time, Ally also lived alone in the cabin while Kyle was away for work
To give their home a bit of character, Ally and Kyle topped it off with a red tin roof and shingles.
When asked what one of the hardest parts of living in a cabin has been, Ally told DailyMail.com that “it’s probably living without a toilet.”
She added, “Honestly, not having a bathroom isn’t that bad, but I’ve never had to deal with it for long periods of time in the past.
‘It’s especially difficult when it’s cold or rainy.’
Since posting about her cabin project online, Ally has built a loyal fan base with more than 45,000 subscribers on YouTube and more than 10,000 followers on Instagram.
Many commentators have applauded her radical move.
One YouTube viewer wrote: ‘Ally Marie, thank you for sharing the path you have chosen.
“You show us all how connecting to the Earth is real, and practical, and difficult, and so incredibly beautiful.”
Another fan said: ‘This is so inspiring! It has always been a dream of mine to just live in the woods.
“I’m a lot older now, so it’s great to see it through you.”