22/06/2025

ON SUNDAY JUNE 22, 2025 theSunday Special IV

T HERE was a time when I thought I could escape the rou tine of modern life by embrac ing a bohemian existence. The GUHDP" $ VPDOO D̆ RUGDEOH YLOOD E\ WKH VHD FRPSOHWH ZLWK D SULYDWH SRRO where I could write in peace. The reality? $ ORJLVWLFDO QLJKWPDUH LQYROYLQJ XQUHOLDEOH WiFi, unexpected maintenance issues and the creeping loneliness of isolation. D HVSLWH WKDW IDLOHG H[SHULPHQW , KDYH QRW JLYHQ XS RQ WKH LGHD RI DOWHUQDWLYH OLYLQJ /LNH PDQ\ 0DOD\VLDQV , FUDYH DQ DXWKHQWLF IUHH DQG FUHDWLYHO\ IXO¿OOLQJ life – but what does that mean? Is the bohemian lifestyle truly attainable or just an aesthetic ideal sold to us through social media? T R DQVZHU WKHVH TXHVWLRQV , VSRNH WR 0DOD\VLDQV ZKR KDYH FDUYHG RXW XQFRQYHQWLRQDO OLYHV IRU WKHPVHOYHV each in their own way. Their journeys UHYHDO WKDW ZKLOH WKHUH LV QR VLQJOH SDWK to a bohemian existence, the heart lies in rejecting societal norms and embracing a lifestyle rooted in passion, independence and self-expression. The allure of bohemian living The bohemian lifestyle is often roman WLFLVHG ± WKLQN FDUHIUHH WUDYHO FUHDWLYH pursuits and rejecting materialism. Historically, bohemian refers to artists, writers and musicians who prioritise FUHDWLYLW\ RYHU ¿QDQFLDO VWDELOLW\ 7RGD\ LW KDV HYROYHG WR HQFRPSDVV PLQLPDOLVP QRPDGLF OLYLQJ DQG DOWHUQDWLYH IRUPV RI income. B XW FDQ 0DOD\VLDQV WUXO\ HPEUDFH WKLV ZD\ RI OLIH JLYHQ RXU FXOWXUDO H[SHFWDWLRQV of success, stability and family obliga tions? According to Dr Jenna Thompson, a FXOWXUDO DQWKURSRORJLVW DW WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ of California, the modern perception of bohemianism has been diluted by social media.

Alternative living: Chasing the elusive bohemian lifestyle Living outside the mainstream may look idyllic, but the reality is far more complex. From emotional resilience to backup plans, Malaysians who have chosen unconventional paths share what it takes to make it work

Azmi’s self-sustaining cabin

BY DAYANA SOBRI

“What started as a countercultural PRYHPHQW ± UHMHFWLQJ FRQVXPHULVP DQG embracing artistic freedom has been UHSDFNDJHG LQWR DQ DHVWKHWLF

R̆ JULG LQ .XDOD .XEX %KDUX ,QVSLUHG E\ WKH ³WLQ\ KRXVH´ PRYHPHQW KH EXLOW D self-sustaining cabin using recycled wood, relying on solar panels and rainwater collection. “I was tired of the rat race. I realised I ZDV ZRUNLQJ ORQJ KRXUV WR D̆ RUG WKLQJV , GLGQ¶W HYHQ KDYH WLPH WR HQMR\ 0RYLQJ R̆ JULG JDYH PH WKH PHQWDO FODULW\ , QHYHU NQHZ , QHHGHG ´ A ]PL JURZV KLV RZQ YHJHWDEOHV NHHSV FKLFNHQV IRU HJJV DQG PDNHV D PRGHVW income by selling handmade pottery RQOLQH +LV ELJJHVW FKDOOHQJH" /RQHOLQHVV and healthcare access. “It’s peaceful, but it can also be isolat ing. When I got dengue last year, I realised how far I was from the hospital. It’s a WUDGH R̆ ´