What is it like to Be Homeless?

Associated Content's Content Producer, Kevin Barieux, quit producing articles for AC after using a man's logic and doing the math. He decided AC was not his opportunity to earn a living using his talent as a writer to earn enough income to get off the streets. I thought he dropped the ball when he curtly dismissed queries on his blog, "The Homeless Guy", that asked "What is it like to be homeless?". This article is my attempt to answer the question.

People that take the time to get to know homeless individuals are often curious about what it feels like to be homeless. "What is it like to be homeless?", they ask, or "How does it feel to be homeless?". People that do not take the time to speak to a homeless person, might wonder about the lifestyle. Seeing homeless people loitering about, seeming not to have a care in the world, others tend to glamorize the street living experience. No bills to pay, no bosses, zero responsibility sounds cool when one is stressed by the demands of living. Hey, can even they panhandle and get money to drink. They use drugs. Being homeless can look like one big party. "Besides the government gives them money and food stamps, why work when you can freeload?" is the question.

"Living off the land", the way the Native Americans or cavemen did, can seem like an ideal solution when adults are faced with mounting bills, raised taxes, expensive health care costs. "If one thing in my life changes, I could be homeless", a sympathetic woman told me. Many people are indeed "one paycheck away from being homeless". Teens and young adults are especially drawn to the nomad lifestyle. But what is it really like to be homeless? Read on.