One of the most important things that we, as human beings, have lost is the knowledge of how to be self reliant. We have also lost the understanding of why it is so important to be self reliant and self sustaining. We have grown so used to others providing us with everything we could possibly want, (as long as you have the money to pay for it) that we have no idea how to take care of ourselves.
Look at it this way; if you took the average city dwelling person and put him on a farm without access to any stores, how long do you think they would be able to live? The sad fact is we have almost none of the skills required to take care of ourselves, even if someone plopped you down on a fully working and thriving farm.
| The average person does not know how to: |  |
These are basics skills that our ancestors took for granted. Things taught to children without even thinking about it. Little by little, as time has passed, we have moved away from doing for ourselves to buying everything we need from other sources. Almost 100% of people that live in the city that are under 60 have never killed an animal for food. Most have never killed an animal for any reason short of vet administered euthanasia. Almost as many have never made any of their own clothing. Schools no longer even teach "home ec" as they used to.....how to cook and sew and such. When did it become unnecessary to know how to do these things?
You may think that buying what you need is good, as long as you have stores and money. This view is rather short sighted because it does not take into consideration one thing: it is not self sustaining. It also makes for a lifestyle that is centers on reliance on others instead of self reliance. This is dangerous on a few levels, the biggest being what would happen if all those convenient stores were to suddenly shut down? Most city dwellers would be unable to keep themselves alive.
Is this the legacy you want to leave your children?
You may think that buying what you need is good, as long as you have stores and money. This view is rather short sighted because it does not take into consideration one thing: it is not self sustaining. It also makes for a lifestyle that is centers on reliance on others instead of self reliance. This is dangerous on a few levels, the biggest being what would happen if all those convenient stores were to suddenly shut down? Most city dwellers would be unable to keep themselves alive.
Is this the legacy you want to leave your children?
Living a self sustaining and self reliant lifestyle is not something you can just suddenly start doing. Most of us do not have the skills necessary to live, even partially, without the convenience of stores to provide for our needs. If you want to change your life in the direction of self reliance, you must do so purposefully and with a plan. When I realized this, I sat down and wrote these 6 steps to start living in a more self sustaining and self reliant way.
1. Limit Buying Things New - When buying something, ask yourself "Do I need a new _________ or can I buy it used? Buying things used not only cuts down on the energy spent manufacturing, shipping and handling new items, it is also cheaper and it helps out the person you are purchasing it from.
2. Reduce the Waste That We Create - This is especially important if the waste is plastic. Avoid buying items that are packaged in plastic. Try to avoid items that are encased in styrofoam. You can accomplish this in the grocery store by buying organic and by making sure that you always bring your own reusable bags.
3. Limit or Cut Out Processed Foods - This is good for you as well as the environment. Processed foods like chips, crackers and single serving type foods are almost always in plastic containers and are high in salt, sugar, fat and calories. Reducing the amount of these unhealthy foods is not only good for you, it is good for the environment, just that much less plastic in landfills or thrown in the ocean. Make it a habit to shop at local farmers markets or to buy from local roadside stands. This benefits everyone, and you can bet there will be a lot less pesticides on what you buy.
4. Try to Re-Purpose Everything at Least Once Before You Toss or Recycle It - Cut down that shoe box and use it as a drawer organizer. Poke holes in the bottom of that coffee can and use it as a planter. Save the glass jars that mayonnaise and salad dressing come in and make your own to re-fill them. Paint that table instead of throwing it away. For every item that you re-purpose, you are saving money and helping the environment.
5. Learn to Cook From Scratch and Don't Waste Food - The items you cook will be much healthier with less additives and preservatives. Any food left over should be reworked into the meals of the next day, so the food will not be wasted. You will save a lot of money by eating at home instead of going out to eat and also by cooking food instead of buying the more expensive and plastic encased preprocessed food.
And Most Important is .......
6. Learn to Do Things Yourself - This covers everything in your life from learning out to sew on a button, to painting your own house. Learn new skills that will make you less reliant on others to get things done. Home improvement stores regularly have free classes, so go to some! If you learn how to do something for yourself, that is something no one can ever take away from you. One of the best things you can do with any new skill that you learn is to teach it to someone else!
Converting your lifestyle from that of a consumer to something more self sustaining cannot be done overnight. It takes a plan and a concentrated effort. A more thoughtful way of living is essential. Instead of just numbly working and buying, working and buying, you must think about the things you do and how best to do them so that you can depend less on others and more on yourself.
Wouldn't the world be a better place if everyone would adopt and implement these steps?
Have a Great Weekend!
Jade :)
Jade :)
This is one of my favorite books that I own. I use is all the time and have learned so much from it. If you are interested in learning new skills, this is a great place to start!
Other Posts You May Want to Read on the Same Subject:
Would You Kill a Chicken for Food?
10 Things Our Grandparents Didn't Do That We Do All The Time
10 Things You Can Do Just Like Grandma Did - Almost!
Would You Kill a Chicken for Food?
10 Things Our Grandparents Didn't Do That We Do All The Time
10 Things You Can Do Just Like Grandma Did - Almost!
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