We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Evan Phillips. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Evan below.
Evan, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
The obvious answer is to keep creating, I know that seems simple enough but it’s truly the root of it. Not only do I create, but I do my best to inspire others to do the same. Wether that be making traditional tools used by our ancestors made from stone, bone, wood, pitch and plant fiber or just being the inspiration for taking someone else’s art to another level. I’ve always been an artist, as long as I can remember. My focus has shifted as I’ve aged, I’ve truly changed since my time at Columbus of art and design and I went “deep” into my roots. I would say my primary focus is a skill known as flint knapping. Knapping is as old as humanity itself, and it resonated with me so profoundly. With simple stone tools we could make shelters, hunt and process game, tan leather for clothing, overall provide for the ones we care about “our tribe.” I get asked 1,001 questions every time I post a new video or I attend an event, and it never bothered me to educate those asking. These skills, this creative aspect of humanity is still in all of all us. I get so excited when someone tags me in their photos or videos of their first arrowhead. I do my best to keep in contact with my followers and help them on their journey. If that means answering questions or making a video targeted towards a problem they’re having etc. I can’t help myself, I love to see passionate and creative bipedal sapiens “humans”. I think once those foundational skills are established, it always wise to branch out. If that means learning new techniques, trying new materials or just heading down another path. Because it’s more about the journey than the skill. I have met some of the most wonderful people on my journey, I have made friendships that I don’t foresee ending until death comes for me. “Death may be a tad taken back when he sees me holding a spear.” In conclusion, get out in the world, learn, be passionate find something that drives you. Do it well, and do it with your tribe.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I currently run not so civilized, a small etsy shop where I sell clothing that encompasses a hunter gather life style. I always make the joke that I sell t-shirts to help me pay for my rock habit. One of the coolest things wether that be going to an event or scrolling through social media and seeing someone dawn my shirts. The market is fascinating, you have survivalist, archeologists, knappers, outdoorsy people and even a few big names from TV that sport my brand. I just never thought it would have taken off as it did.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I would say number one has to be never stop learning. Sometimes we get stuck in a rut where we “know” how things work and never really take a step back and think the problem through. Number two all day, surround yourself with passionate and driven people. It’s even better when they’re just as excited as you are.
Number three maintain balance, if you’re working work hard, but don’t forget to live. That part is important.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My Mother was a force of nature. She may have been small in stature but she was a big personality. She made sure that I had the opportunities to become who I wanted to be, and still to this day nurtures my crazy ideas. My stepfather taught me many valuable life lessons, some I wish I had paid more attention to, but his wisdom I carry with me wherever I go. My father, an avid outdoorsman. He laid the framework of my passion for hunting. He taught me how to be an ethical hunter and the respect that goes along with that.
Contact Info:
- Website: notsocivilized.com
- Instagram: Neolithicnomad86
- Youtube: Neolithicnomad1111
- Other: Nomad630 on tiktok
