by Tracy | 24 comments
Have you been dreaming of living more self-sufficient?
Maybe your dream is to leave the rat-race behind and learn how to be more responsible for your own well-being?If so, I am here to tell you it is possible to achieve your dreams!
There’s no particular guide I can give you to become more self-sufficient, but if you change your mindset and start tackling some of the following steps you can be well on your way to a simpler, healthier self-sufficient living.
So what does self-sufficient living mean?
It’s all about learning how to provide for our own needs. It means taking on a spirit of independence and become passionate about the life you live.
I know from past experiences deciding where to start on this journey can be overwhelming. You may think that you need to live in the country to live a simpler life, but in all reality, you can live and work anywhere …it’s all a state-of-mind. One of the most difficult aspects of learning to be more sufficient is changing the way you think about how you spend your money, where your food comes from and how to reuse and recycle.
Making the decision to turn your back on the technology-laden environment and embrace a simpler way of life is as easy as putting some of the following 30 self-sufficient lifestyle goals in place:
- Review the power usage of your home.
- Replace light bulbs with energy-saving ones.
- Unplug anything that is not currently in use.
- Close doors to rooms, not in use to conserve energy.
- Replace electric clocks with wind up ones.
- Start line-drying your laundry.
- Plant raised beds or container gardens.
- Learn to compost and add great nutrients to your gardens.
- Learn to cookwholesome old-fashion meals.
- Learn to make your own cleaning supplies.
- Learn to can in-season fruits and vegetables.
- Downsize – Take a good look at your home to determine if downsizing is an option.
- Less is more – There is something about purging all the stuff you collect over the years…it’s liberating!
- Know where your food comes from.
- Learn the benefits of herbs for medicinal purposes.
- Understand the difference between a need and want.
- Cut out our cable. Netflix is an inexpensive alternative for a fraction of the cost.
- Shop at second-hand stores.
- Stop buying paper products. -Look at the money you waste each week on paper towels, tissues, and napkins. Those paper items can be replaced with old rags.
- Recycle, Reuse, Make Do
- Eat Seasonally – Buying out of season fruits and vegetables is very costly. Plan your meals around what is fresh and in-season.
- Watch for sales and only buy items when they go on sale.
- Shop at stores that offer volume discounts and those that are typically cheaper.
- Stop using your dishwasher.
- Plan your meals ahead and don’t rely on your microwave or prepacked foods.
- Let your hair dry naturally.
- Go to bed when the sun goes down and gets up when the sun comes up.
- Find an alternative heat source. Wood, solar or wind power.
- Stock your pantry with staples and home-canned goods.
- Collect and use rainwater to water gardens.
- Become your own handyman Learn to repair things around your home as well as basic car maintenance and repair.
- Use a push mower instead of a gas or electric mower.
- Learn to Sew, Knit or – These are all excellent skills to have, if not necessary skills for a self-sufficient lifestyle.
- Set one day a week as a technology-free day.
Take back control of your life and set your mind to apply some or all of these tips to your life.
If you need some motivation, I encourage you to connect with like-minded people. Making friends with people who are looking for the same kind of changes will make your transition into this type of lifestyle easier. Take classes, join online forms, search Facebook groups on homesteading or living simple, and step outside your comfort zone and connect with people in your own community.
Want more? Read on.
6 Signs That Signal You are Ready to Start Homesteading
Homesteading a Growing Trend Among Millennials
Finally a pair of garden boots I LOVE!
What Should You Consider When Building a Trash Shed?
Growing Herbs on the Homestead
5 Simple Ways to Add Permaculture to Your Backyard Farm
Starting a Vegetable Garden for Beginners
Restoring This Old Homestead – Starting from Scratch
Winter in the Apiary – Winter Beekeeping Basics
How to Build a Cheap Raised Garden Bed
Join Our Homesteading Community
Bobbieon January 2, 2016 at 12:38 am
Hi Tracy,
Happy New Year! You made me laugh with your New Years resolutions — cute!
Your points are straight on target to becoming self-sufficient. I’m working on some of these now and have completed others.
It’s definitely a journey, but it’s fun, healthy and very do-able.
BobbieReply
Tracy Fredrychowskion January 3, 2016 at 10:04 pm
Bobbie I tried for years to make resolutions, but they always got the best of me. Now I just strive to be the best I can be each and everyday!
Reply
Vickieon January 2, 2016 at 1:03 am
All great tips and advice. My favorite? The last paragraph; connect with others that are like minded! Thanks, Tracy. I have learned so much from you!
Reply
Elizabethon January 5, 2016 at 3:26 am
Excellent ideas! Thank you for sharing. We have been hang drying our clothes for about a year now. I was amazed that it saves us $30 a month! (we are a family of 9 so we have lots of laundry!)
Reply
Tracy Fredrychowskion January 5, 2016 at 11:41 am
When we first started using our clothes line and drying rack I was amazed at the savings as well!
Reply
daisyon January 5, 2016 at 6:14 pm
So many great points. We love being the only house in our development with a clothesline! Everyone else is worried about the HOA. We know that it is illegal for them to forbid clotheslines, so we enjoy it as much as possible!
Trying to be your best everyday is a wonderful daily goal. It works.
Thanks for stopping by The Maple Hill Hop today!
Reply
Tracy Fredrychowskion January 6, 2016 at 12:34 pm
I keep hearing that HOA’s are not allowing clotheslines. I think it is CRAZY and am glad you are using them anyways! How are your moving plans coming?
Reply
Margaret @ Pure Pearl Homesteadon January 5, 2016 at 9:26 pm
For the past two years my goal has been to grow and reserve a year’s supply of vegetables for my husband and I. This year will be no different. Each year we get a little bit closer! It’s harder than you’d think but so awesome!
Reply
Tracy Fredrychowskion January 6, 2016 at 12:33 pm
Margaret it is hard work, but the reward is so great when you stand in front of your pantry and see all your hard work looking back at you!
Reply
Kelseyon January 6, 2016 at 12:16 am
I found this list on Titus 2sdays link up party and I love this list! Some great thoughts and ideas, my personal favorite technology free day. Thanks so much for sharing!
Reply
Jennifer Aon January 6, 2016 at 3:53 am
That’s a great list, and I was excited to see getting wind-up clocks on there. I didn’t really think about it being sustainable, but my husband gave me one for my birthday this year. It’s just a wonderful sound, and it helps order my homeschool day.
Reply
Tracy Fredrychowskion January 6, 2016 at 12:33 pm
I have a couple windup clocks…one is sitting right here on my desk!
Reply
Sandraon January 7, 2016 at 2:53 pm
I like number 23- I wouldn’t t mind going to bed at 6 p.m. and sleeping until 7 a.m.. I can’t wait for longer daylight hours!
great list-
Happy new year!Reply
Tracy Fredrychowskion January 9, 2016 at 5:47 pm
Me too! We went to bed last night at 8:45 and both of us were up and out of bed by 5:00 AM. I wish they would do away with daylight savings time!
Reply
JESon January 9, 2016 at 6:04 pm
Love this list Tracy! I am happy to say we do most of them! And now I have some extra inspiration to tackle the rest! Your blog always gives that gentle boost to the reader. Thank you for sharing on the Art of Home-Making Mondays! 🙂
JES @ Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth
Reply
Tracy Fredrychowskion January 9, 2016 at 6:40 pm
Jes I love reading things that I can sit back and say…got it, done that..and even some that remind me that I need to work on that! Thanks for reading and sharing this week!
Reply
JESon January 11, 2016 at 12:16 pm
Just a little note to let you know we *featured* this post today on the Art of Home-Making Mondays at Strangers @ Pilgrims on Earth! 🙂
Reply
Tracy Fredrychowskion January 11, 2016 at 12:45 pm
Thank you Jes!!
Reply
Amanda @ The Fundamental Homeon January 13, 2016 at 1:48 pm
These are great, simple ideas that anyone can do! I really need to work on my power usage. Well, I should say my family’s power usage. I am constantly going around and turning things off. See it as number one on your list was really convicting 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Reply
Sherryon January 14, 2016 at 12:12 am
Good tips that make life easier! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Reply
Pattion April 26, 2016 at 8:57 pm
We have been doing all but 2 (13, 28) for over 30 years…can’t get rid of cable but we have basic so we c an get local stations, and we have too much to mow but I do use the clippings to add to my garden compost. Love the list tho!
Reply
Shaneon May 4, 2016 at 1:33 pm
Great Article!!
I would love it if you could please come over and join us on the Homesteader Hop. It is a new blog hop that runs every Wednesday! Please come by and share up too three of your articles.Reply
Michelleon November 3, 2016 at 2:55 pm
For me the best part of this list is the encouragement it gives me. Starting a homestead and always feeling like there is so much more to do, it’s helpful to pause and take stock of everything we are doing. I used to do this when I was impatiently trapped in our suburban townhouse. This is a journey, not a destination, and there are many steps along the way. Sharing and pinning to spread the word!
Reply
Tracy Fredrychowskion November 6, 2016 at 8:40 pm
So glad it can help you on the right path!
Reply
