It is especially true these days to consider self-sufficiency. Most of you are probably at home during the COVID pandemic and are challenged to provide food for your families as unemployment rises and grocery store shelves are empty.
If you are concerned about the resources that you depend on to live, food, water, shelter, and electricity, you may want to become more self-sufficient. But how do you supply these necessities of life without the help of the outside world? Where do you start? We can show you how you can get going on ways to be more independent.
What is Self-Sufficiency?
More and more people are feeling the need to be more prepared for emergencies and live more independently. A self-sufficient person purchases less and lives a minimalist living. They grow and produce the things they need for survivalism. Whether you want to produce your own energy and live off the grid, grow your own food, or prepare for a long-term emergency, we can show you how to add independence in your life. You’ll need to decide which self-sufficient items you want to try and then learn the skills they require.
Benefits
- Saves Money
- Prevents Waste
- Builds Self Confidence
- Improves your Health
- Lowers Stress
- Brings Your Family Together
- Brings Appreciation of Nature
Ideas for Self-Sufficiency
Unplug from TV and Cable
You’ve heard of cutting the cord which means you no longer connect to cable tv. Invest in an antenna or begin to stream shows via your internet connection. Not only are you more independent from the outside world, but you’ll also save money as well.
Solar and Wind Energy
Consider a solar panel system so that you can be self-powered! Solar panels use the energy of the sun to provide your home electricity. Another option would be to install a wind energy system that harnesses kinetic energy to provide electricity. Either way is a more self-sufficient manner of providing your home the energy it needs to run.
Storage Batteries and Generators
Energy storage batteries become absolutely essential if you want a green energy home that is self-sufficient. A generator can also be a way to provide your home electricity in an emergency when the grid cannot provide it. Another addition to your prepping is to work to consume less electricity, such as hanging your laundry to dry and using your fireplace to supplement heat.
Grow Your Own Food
You may have considered a survival garden where you grow a variety of foods to consume. It may be a garden on your land but you can also consider joining a community garden or farm share, installing a planter garden, a small herb garden, or simply adding some edible plants to your property. Composting is also a great addition to becoming self-sufficient by reducing waste and producing your own fertilizer.
Raise Livestock
Another way to increase your self-sufficiency and produce your own food includes adding some livestock. You might think about chickens for eggs and goats for dairy. Learn to make butter, yogurt and cheeses from the milk. There are many benefits to livestock in addition to providing food including providing manure for your gardens and grazing your landscape.
Learn to hunt and fish.
If owning animals is not something you would like, consider learning to hunt or fish to provide food for your family. It’s a great skill for survival and can make your more independent.
Bees
Having your own honey beehive can provide your family honey but also provides beeswax which is great for candles and cosmetics. Their pollination will also help your garden as well.
Cooking and Preserving
Cooking ahead of time and preserving food by freezing, dehydration, and canning can be a wonderful addition in your prepping plan. If you have a well-stocked pantry you are less dependant on grocery stores to sustain you.
DIY
As part of an effort to purchase less, you can attempt to make household items and necessities yourself. Consider making your own candles, soap, toothpaste, cosmetics, cleaners, medicinals and more. Also, learn to sew, crochet, and knit. Any skill you add to your survival repertoire will help you become more independent.
Water
Drinking water is a crucial need for self-sufficiency. You need water for bathing, gardening and cleaning. Consider storing bottled water, installing rain barrels, and learning about water purification.
Conclusion
You now know where to start in becoming self-sufficient. You can now be empowered and not have to purchase everything. You can add several of these items to your life or start with one. Take action to learn new life skills. You will not only be independent and better prepared but also save money and have a piece of mind.