Self sufficient living is experiencing a resurgence of interest as many see pollution rising and natural resources being depleted. Many are also turning to this way of life as they consider the economic benefits of learning to live a more sustainable lifestyle. So what is self sufficient living anyway?
Self sufficient living means depending on sustainable resources to supply daily needs. This is in contrast to dependence upon utility and water companies. It also means we’ll learn to raise our own provisions and master the art of long term food storage. Many people even learn to make much of what they need for everyday life like soap, clothes, etc..
The hectic pace many people live is causing them to look for a better way. For many, that better way is found in self sufficient living. They’re concerned about their health – both physical and emotional. Others are concerned about being prepared for the unknown – things like natural or even man made disasters.
So what should we be thinking about when considering transitioning to a more sustainable way of life?
First, let’s consider our most basic need – food. Most people rely solely on the grocery store. Why not become your own supermarket by growing your own? You might not feel capable of such an undertaking, but there are plenty of good books on the subject to get you started. Even if you don’t have a garden area, start in pots for now – at least you’ll be getting started. The other important skill in providing for your food needs is learning to store that food. We’ll look more at methods to do this in future articles.
Food – There has been increased interest in gardening in recent years as evidenced by an increase in garden seed sales. This is truly a part of self sufficient living that anyone can start right away. While there are many helpful books on the subject, this is one area in which it largely comes down to experience. Thus, the sooner you get started, the better. Even if you only have a small patio, you can start gardening in pots, even during winter months, you can grow some things in the house. The other aspect of food involves learning to preserve and store food. This is something that people used to be better at, but with the convenience of supermarkets, many do not consider just how fragile a family’s food supply can be. Natural disasters remind us of this when interruptions in transport result in shelves being emptied in only a matter of hours. Methods for food preservation and storage include canning, dehydrating, air vacuum sealing, and use of air tight storage containers.
Water – Self sufficient water systems include wells, springs, and some even use water from other sources like streams or creeks and utilize filtration systems for purification. If you are interested in the latter, make sure you are aware of legal requirements pertaining to use of surface water in your area as this may be regulated. The importance of having your own water system is generally underestimated by most people until they find themselves in a crisis without enough water even for drinking, let alone other domestic needs. Another important consideration is having an adequate water supply for agriculture, which can require more water volume than what is needed for domestic use. There may not be much a person can do about this particular issue unless they own their own property and are in a setting where such options are available to them. In most cases, this means living in a more rural setting where one has the freedom to drill a well or develop other water sources. This leads to the final consideration covered in this article.
Country Living – When considering what is involved in becoming more self sufficient, it becomes clear that living in a metropolitan area makes it more difficult for the average family to pursue a more sustainable way of life. While the subject of locating and purchasing country property is beyond the scope of this article, families are finding that with careful planning and perseverance, making such a transition is possible. Rural living is ideal in terms of becoming more independent.
Conclusion – Self sufficient living is within the reach of most individuals and families if they’re willing to invest the time and energy into making it happen. Furthermore, such a way of life positions people to be better equipped to not only take care of themselves in times of need, but also to be of help to others. In this sense, it is truly a responsible way to live, and thus a noble pursuit.
Looking for the freedom of self sufficient living? Check out http://www.selfsufficientlivingblog.com, where you’ll find the resources and information you need to get started today.
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