Since the dawn of humanity, whether out of desire or necessity, millions have journeyed from place to place, seeking greener pastures or bluer horizons. And in this constant coming and going, today there are even those who find themselves at the crossroads between urban and rural life, as if it were possible to draw a boundary, sometimes forgetting that these are not separate realities, but rather interconnected and mutually influential. Fortunately, it is increasingly common to find people who are drawn to both worlds and who seek to integrate the best of each into their daily lives. Goteo.org
I read the reflection that serves as the introduction to this blog post a few months ago through the newsletter of goteo.org , a crowdfunding platform that works with projects with a social background.
It made me reflect on that 'invisible line' that we draw between rural and urban, between 'I was born here' and 'I feel like I'm from here', ultimately, between a reality that we have 'built' to 'separate concepts' that have always been linked.
In a personal newsletter I recently wrote: When do we disconnect from nature? I used as an example the words that Victoria Torres shared through our documentary : ' We talk about the Environment as if we were not part of it' , when the Environment is everything, in rural and urban areas.
Trying to separate rural from urban life only impoverishes us as a species, disconnects us from nature, and deprives us of the interconnection that enriches us and allows us to better understand natural cycles, what we eat, and where most of our resources come from.
These reflections on the urban and the rural also lead me to the title of this blog: Are you from where you are born or where you graze? And this is the question I will try to answer, in part, and the one I pose to you, yes, to you, so that you can help me answer it.
Shall we go there?
To be born vs. to inhabit
Whether you're from a rural area or have always lived in the city, you're likely familiar with one of these two situations:
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People who have moved from a village (or rural environment) to a city.
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People who have moved from a city (of different sizes) to a town or a rural environment
The reasons that influence both points can be very varied, but they are generally linked to job opportunities, a change of life, health or love (yes, love has taken more people to a destination than all the cars, trains, ships and planes combined)
But the important thing in this reflection is not to delve into the reasons why someone leaves the city for the 'countryside', or vice versa (perhaps that is something we will explore later, but if you want, you can watch some of our webinars such as Rural in Feminine: female entrepreneurs who have opted for the rural environment in which several protagonists talk about why they have moved to the countryside) but to open a debate around being born in the countryside vs. moving to live in the countryside.
One of the questions that usually comes up whenever we organize a panel about rural areas, or when we participate in an interview, is: How are people who move to rural areas usually received? And it's clear that there are examples for everything.
Since we started Pueblos Remotos in 2021, we've heard fantastic stories. Projects like Apadrina un Olivo (Sponsor an Olive Tree) are achieving an incredible revitalization of rural areas, even preventing many people from leaving Oliete. Other projects, like Almanatura, help identify and promote rural entrepreneurs throughout Spain, and we even have 'Rural Erasmus' that allow university students to live in the countryside for a while as they study.
Added to all this is a 'small' exodus that emerged after the pandemic, where many people who work remotely went to the rural environment looking for more tranquility and a slower lifestyle.
On the other side of the scale (and going a bit to the extreme) we have cases like the one reflected in the film 'As Bestas', where perhaps that 'less friendly' side of rural life is seen, as well as the reality of many people who live there.
In the middle, which is where almost everything that works usually stays, there is that debate, or approach, of being born versus living in the rural.
Okay, now you're probably thinking, "So what? All that talk and you haven't said anything about the difference between being born and grazing." And honestly, the answer I'm about to give you isn't going to be very helpful, but I'll try anyway.
How do we approach that?
The approach is not simple, but I will leave a few arguments that I believe should apply to both those born in and those who live in rural areas:
Understanding the environment above all else
When we move to rural areas, whether to live or for some kind of experience, the first thing we must do is understand the environment above all else. It's clear, and I've said it before, that many of these areas should have at least some basic essential services, but on the other hand, we have to understand the reality of where we are, and even the 'isolation' that rural life might entail. What might initially seem like a disadvantage can actually be the greatest advantage of all.
Do not 'urbanize' the rural
The beauty of this environment lies precisely in its connection to nature, its cycles, and its way of life. It's fascinating how, when you go to these places and fully immerse yourself (even if it takes some time at first), you notice how your body adapts completely naturally to the sun's movements, the tranquility of doing things, and the connection to nature. As I mentioned earlier, we are part of the environment we talk so much about, and nothing governs that environment better than nature's cycles.
To understand the idiosyncrasies of the place
This is a matter of community. When grazing in a particular place, it's essential to understand the local character, or at least to know what it's like to live in a rural area (this is one of the reasons why we do experiences in rural environments; it's not the main one, but many people have told us that it has served as a good introduction to it)
Moving to a small town means taking the time to learn how it works, to integrate into the community, and to see if it's truly the place for you. The difference between it being the right fit and not can significantly impact your quality of life there.
Be open to meeting those who come
It's not all about the 'outsider' who comes here; those in rural areas also need to be valued and work hard to get to know the people who are interested in living there. Mutual respect, as in any place, is the cornerstone for building good relationships.
Generate exchange networks
This is perhaps another of the most important, yet complicated, points. I believe, and this is a personal opinion, that one of the most beautiful things I've seen in all of this is the relationship that develops between people, the connections between rural entrepreneurs and remote workers when we conduct our experiments.
Well, I believe that these are the links that should be generated (in their own time and in their own way) within rural environments; this union between the people who were born there and those who have made the decision to go and live there (or to return from the urban environment) is probably the one that generates the greatest wealth and exchange of knowledge.
So, is one from where one is born or from where one grazes?
Well, after almost 1400 words, I still don't have a definitive answer. What I am sure of, however, is that whether you were born there or decided to move there, the best thing you can do is adapt, be open to improvement, and be aware of the challenges and opportunities that exist in the area.
And you? (yes, you thought you were going to get away with it) What do you think?
