Self-sufficiency
What is self-sufficiency
Self-suffiency is a broad term encompassing a wide range of things relating to doing things for yourself and reducing reliance on other people or organisations.
I fall short of it a lot but I still think it's a good thing do in principle and I spend time reading up on it even when I'm not putting into practice (yet). The most extreme level of self-sufficiency would mean completely rejecting society and living in the woods, but it's a misconception that that would be the ultimate goal for everyone interested in self-sufficiency.
Even a small change in the direction of self-sufficiency is still better than nothing and everyone will have different goals in how far they'd like to go with self-sufficiency. Small changes could be something as simple as repairing the next rip you get in your clothes, or making sure the next product you buy is something that will last longer to save you from having to rely on buying replacements as often.
Reasons for self-sufficiency
The reasons are different for everyone, but some examples include:
- As a hobby
- Being prepared for a crisis
- Saving money
- Being less of a burden on the environment (and potentially improving it)
- Reducing reliance and support of companies or governments you dislike/distrust (e.g for ethical or political reasons)
- Supporting the local/national economy by buying or selling local
- Health benefits (more exercise, using natural products which are often safer)
- Mental wellbeing (not being addicted to consumerism, feeling more confident and rewarded by your own abilities)
- As a social thing, to be part of a community of likeminded people or to find a partner who shares the same mindset
Examples of self sufficiency
There are countless ways someone can become more self-sufficient, but here's some examples for different categories:
Food
- Make food from scratch so you aren't reliant on buying ready-made meals, sauces etc
- Grow fruit and vegetables
- Learn how to forage effectively
- Raise livestock (this could be as simple as a few rabbits, provided they're a breed intended for food)
- Learn to properly preserve food (e.g canning things yourself in bulk, creating a pantry space, and simply being aware of which store-bought items last the longest so you can shop more efficiently)
Household maintenance
- Learn how to do electricity, gas and plumbing work so you aren't reliant on paying others
- Make or repair clothes and other fabrics (blankets, tablecloths, cushions, rugs, etc)
- Learn household DIY (includes even simple things like painting or putting up shelves)
- Learn woodworking/metalworking to produce or repair your own furniture, tools, etc
Survivalism
- Become physically fit - ideally in a way that doesn't make you reliant on gym equipment (e.g just doing calisthenics or weightlifting with tyres, kegs, rocks, bags/buckets of sand, etc)
- Learn self-defense (ideally both hand-to-hand combat and weapons)
- Stock up long-lasting food and medical supplies
- Stock up on weapons and protective items
- Stock up on wind-up and/or solar electronics (e.g radios, flashlights, or general-use bateries/generators)
- Have a bug-out-bag prepared (a portable kit of supplies to last you 72 hours, in case of evacuation)
- Create an emergency shelter, or have the knowledge, space and material to assemble one quickly ready for cases of emergency (this could be anything from a small refuge to an elaborate bunker)
- Read up on survival guides or at least make sure to have guides ready in case of a crisis
- Collect digital copies of anything you might want/need in case of a crisis (e.g ebooks, movies, informational videos, useful software, etc)
Technology
- Minimise your reliance on technology by combating addiction and learning how to do things without techology
- Buy longer-lasting, more energy efficient technology where possible
- Learn to repair technology, and buy technology that's easily repairable when possible
- Replace social media with your own website and messaging, or simply meeting in person
- Replace smartphone with either a dumbphone or at least a longer-lasting model
- Replace streaming services like Netflix with your own server full of movies and tv shows
- Replace commercial email services like Gmail with self-hosted email, or VPS-hosted email
- Learn to use more minimal software so you can do all your tasks on cheaper hardware
- Replace software with free alternatives where possible. Not only free as in price, but free as in freedom so you're free to modify it yourself or run other people's modified versions
- Replace power sources with renewable sources if possible (e.g solar, wind)
Transport
- Walk and cycle when possible (and exercise regularly so you're fit enough to travel further)
- Buy locally or at least online to reduce unnecessary travel and free yourself of the psychological tactics you get in physical stores
- If you do have a vehicle, learn to repair and even improve it
- When buying a vehicle, buy one that is designed to last long, can be run fairly cheaply, and is easily repairable
At some point I intend to blog about ways I've become more self-sufficient to teach or inspire others, but truthfully I haven't done anything worth blogging about yet.