"Self-sufficiency is the greatest of all wealth" Epicurus.
Self-sufficiency, the ability to take care of oneself, is an all encompassing ideal. Sustainable Living isn't an impossible goal. Life skills are skills we have acquired, whether through formal education or life experience, that enable us to effectively handle issues and the problems that we encounter in daily life. Applying learned life skills to how we function can help us become more self-sufficient.
Self-sufficiency, like self care, is relative to the individual and circumstances. Time, Energy, Costs, Available Resources, Geographical Circumstances, Weather and Knowledge are all factors that affect how we are able to function in our environment. Learning, Adapting, Persisting and Growing are choices that can help achieve a more self-sufficient lifestyle. Do the best you can. As Maya Angelou said...
"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better do better." Maya Angelou.
Why take steps to a more Self-sustainable lifestyle?
- Money
- Self empowerment
- Food Security
- Improved nutrition
- Becoming more in touch with nature
- A better understanding and respect for our resources
- Positive affect on the environment, positive affect on climate change.
- Independance
- Sense of control
Some Steps to take to become more self-reliant:
- Start growing. Grow herbs in the kitchen, indoor house plants, and/or adding new plants to your yard.
- Make the most of what you have. Choose plants that grow best in the environment that you are able to provide them.
- Get creative. Try new ways to grow. Vertical Hydroponic gardens are an easy way to grow more in a smaller space, and faster. Upcycling your recycling into planters or finding fun new ideas from sources such as https://www.pinterest.com/.
- Immerse yourself in your community. Find the community gardens and farm shares in your area. Many cities have community gardens and farm shares because many people that live in larger cities have less space available to garden.
- Talk, talk, talk. Check out your local farmers markets. Ask local farmers for tips from their experience with gardening in your area. http://nfmd.org
- Collect rain water (if it's legal in your area) and/or look into a grey water system. https://greywateraction.org/greywater-reuse/
- Raise your own Chickens. Chickens provide eggs and eat insects like ticks.
- Forage. Foraging for local resources is a great way to save money and better learn about your surroundings.
- Learn to fish or hunt. And how to clean, store and prepare your catches.
- Raise meat rabbits or dairy animals. Goat milk is naturally homogenized.
- Tan your hides. Waste not want not. Make the most of what you caught hunting or even raised yourself.
- Hang your clothes to dry when possible. Save money and energy.
- Learn how to mend or make your own clothing or blankets. Learn to sew, quilt, knit and/or crochet.
- Make your own cleaners. Placing your orange peels in a jar with vinegar for two weeks makes a powerful cleaner. There are endless recipes online to make a variety of cleaners that are natural, non-toxic and sometimes upcycling from what would've been tossed out, like orange peels.
- Beekeeping. Raise your own Bees.
- Learn to make candles and start a fire.
- Learn how to preserve your food. Research food preservation and choose the best methods to accomodate your lifestyle.
- Learn how to ferment food. Try new recipes you find for items that you already have.
- Research the uses for plants or products you have.
- Tap your trees. Identify and tap your maple trees if you have them.
- Do what you do, better. Make small changes to your own routines, without changing what you love doing.
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Little Lakeview Conservatory, LLC was est. in 2019 to provide sustainable plants in NH and to share information to help people create self sustainability in their own homes.
Please feel free to contact us at LittleLakeviewConservatory@gmail.com be added to our email list or with any questions, requests and comments.
Little Lakeview Conservatory, LLC * Grow a little!
