What does being self-sufficient mean? Self-sufficiency is all about not having to rely on anyone else, including big corporations, for anything, or for as little as possible. It means doing as much as you can yourself for you and your family. It’s a great, natural way to live, and you can be as committed as you feel you want to be. Here are some ways that you can be self-sufficient if this is something you think will work for you.
Grow Your Own
One of the easiest ways to start becoming self-sufficient is to begin growing your own vegetables, herbs, and fruits. Even if you don’t have a yard big enough to plant much in, you can still have a kitchen garden where you can grow some delicious salad items and herbs. You can use a window box or indoor planters. You can even use glass jars. Simply fill them with compost, plant the seeds, and ensure that they are kept by a sunny window. Water them regularly, and the plants should start to grow. You can add your home-grown items to your meals and begin living in a self-sustaining way. If you want to go further, why not look into starting a community garden? If you can find a small plot, or join an existing community garden, not only will you have the chance to grow your own food, but you will also meet lots of people who want to live in the same way as you do.
Brew Your Own
Love beer but don’t want to pay the store prices? It isn’t a problem when you brew your own! You can get everything you need on this site including advice and equipment. Not only can you create something unique and tasty, but making homebrew beer is also a fun thing to do, and is exactly the kind of hobby those who love their self-sufficient lifestyles will enjoy.
Make Your Own
Clothing is a huge expense in everyone’s lives, yet we all need clothes! What is the alternative? One idea is to mend your old clothes rather than ditch them for new ones. For someone who is self-sufficient, the idea of throwing out perfectly good clothing just because of a hole or two is abhorrent. However, some clothes are beyond saving, and of course, sometimes it’s just nice to have something new. In this case, if you learn how to sew and invest in a sewing machine, you can make your own clothing for a fraction of the cost. It will be completely unique as well. Learn how to knit and crochet, and you’ll be covered for all eventualities and every season.
Chickens
If you have enough space and your landlord agrees, a few chickens in the backyard are an amazing way to be more self-sufficient. Chickens can make great pets once they are domesticated, as they are very friendly. They also produce eggs, which you can use for all sorts of recipes. A pet that gives you a free breakfast can’t be a bad thing at all!
Build A Beehive
Bees are dying out, and that’s a big problem because, without bees, we’re going to lose our plants and vegetables. To help conserve bees, why not build your own beehive and have your own backyard bees to look after? You can make honey and candles, and with the right permits you can even sell these things and bring in some extra cash. You’re helping the environment and the planet too.
Save Your Water
By installing rain barrels in your yard, you can collect rainwater which can then be used to water the lovely food growing in your outside space. You can use it to feed your animals too. With proper purification methods, you can even use it for human consumption (or if that idea doesn’t appeal, you can use it to wash clothes and dishes at the very least).
Say No To Chemicals
We all want to keep our homes, and ourselves, clean and fresh, but when you’re self-sufficient you won’t want to trudge to the store to collect more kitchen and bathroom spray. Plus, they are full of potentially damaging chemicals, which, in the end, do more harm than good. To keep a clean home but not rely on the store or chemicals to do so, make your own cleaners. It’s incredible what some vinegar and citrus fruit juice can do. If you look around your kitchen, it’s likely you’ll already have most, if not all, of the ingredients you need to make a cleaner. The benefits include not having to pay a fortune, and no overpowering smells. You can even make your own soap. This process is time-consuming, but it costs a lot less, cleans you much better than store bought soap, and you know exactly what’s in it.
Foraging
Just by stepping out of your front door and looking for patches of grass and woodland you’ll discover that there are plenty of things you can eat right there in front of you. It’s worth investing in a good book to help you work out what’s good for you and what should be left alone. Examples of things you can eat include nettles, dandelions, and wild garlic. Make sure you thoroughly wash everything before you start cooking with it, and you can make some delicious meals for free.
Do Exercise
Exercising might sound like a strange way to become self-sufficient, but it works. Becoming fitter and healthier means you are more willing to go out and forage, more willing to put in the hard yardwork that is required to grow vegetables, more willing to try new things in general because you’re feeling good about yourself.
Become A Minimalist
Learning to live with less is a great way to become self-sufficient. You’ll feel better when you clear out your home, plus if you sell your unwanted items in a garage sale or on an auction site, for example, you can make some extra cash. Minimalism helps you to become self-sufficient because it encourages you to live without items you once thought were essential. Over time you’ll get used to your new way of living, and self-sufficiency will become much easier.