Backyard privacy is a symptom of suburban living. I sit in the rocking chair as Max plays in the dirt and Bella swings feeling like someone, anyone, could watch me and I wouldn’t know it. It makes me want to plant bushes around the fence so no one can see in. This paranoia is faceless and I’m not sure I like it.
Then I think about it. I am exposed and it must seem delightful to my homebound elderly neighbors to see a woman interact with her children so freely. To look out their window and witness a woman telling her son a story and the excitement on his face as she weaves the words into another world. To see children so content and playful around their mother is a gift. I love watching people who seem happy, too.
So I’m torn and left fantasizing about living on a few acres of land where the only eyes on me is Nature’s.
Backyard privacy is a symptom of suburban living and the cure is to move out into the country.
I think I will have to plant some tall bushes.
well said. all of it. i share the same thoughts. for me it’s a catch 22. i have anxiety and paranoia of so many things, and it all gets mixed into being alone far out from civilization. we lived pretty rural for so long, and when river was born and it was so intense. so it was comforting for me to move into the ‘city’ to where if i screamed real loud, surely someone would hear me.
we actually found a good alternative for privacy at Home Depot. got some bamboo reed fencing (it’s tall like 8ft and relatively cheap… cheaper than plants right now for us) we attached it with small wire to our chainlink fence. it lets the breeze through and you can still see (somewhat) but it’s not like being in someone’s hip pocket.
good to see you online! hope you’re enjoying the season.