>>18101435
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I've been wondering about the reality for a while and have done some investigating and a little bit of experimenting.
I investigated an intentional community that had some aspects of this done right. They used a composting toilet system that I took a look at and liked because there was no odor. I didn't stay over night to look at how showering would go, but this winter I was able to drastically reduce showering via using tubs of hot water to clean most days. Some people really hate that, but I did not mind as I had enough time to deal with it.
Outdoor bathroom sounds bad in winter. I contemplate setting up a "toilet" in a garage if needed. I've read a 5 gallon bucket with a cut pool noodle for the rim might work.
Water is difficult. I saw a video with a plastic tarp zip tied or something to a fence. Clean water is directed down the tarp into storage containers. This would not work in a very dry area, but would help me a lot for plants, etc.
Yes, I would miss electricity for lights. I do have a couple of motion sensitive battery lights, however.
We weathered the "big chill" in the Midwest fairly well, but a snafu was unexpected chill in a part of the house that had never frozen before. If the grid had gone down I think we would have chosen one room to heat. I'm accumulating multiple heating and cooking methods, however the current home would not be ideal for totally off grid, which is what I want.