It’s an interesting idea to consider whether it’s possible to be one hundred percent self-sufficient: not needing any input from the outside world.
Is it possible?
Sure it is.
In the past, many people have demonstrated that they can survive in the wilderness for 10, 20 years — or longer — without any contact with the outside world.
Here are just a few thoughts that come to mind when we think about complete self-sufficiency:
- You could be completely off-grid and have solar panels or a windmill for electricity, but when something breaks, you might not be able to replace it.
- What if your well dries up, or you have insufficient rainfall one year?
- What if a hailstorm destroys your vegetable garden in August?
- You wouldn’t be able have a generator, as it’s powered with fuel you’d need to buy
- As far as other equipment or tools: you might want to use hand-powered at some point — and those require some skill to repair and keep them in prime condition!
- You’ll need to become an expert seed saver, seeing that complete self-sufficiency entails no bartering or purchasing any seeds or seedlings.
- You’ll want to be pretty skilled at foraging…
- You’ll need to consider that some climates are probably more suitable for living off the land than others.
- And last but not least, taxes. Is there a country in the world that does not require you to pay any taxes? If not, you can choose between living illegally, or simply squatting on someone else’s property.
Is Complete Self-Sufficiency Desirable or Even Sustainable?
From a societal point of view, and in my own opinion (both as a sociologist and as an individual), self-sufficiency is great to have as an option in case of necessity (war, pandemic, societal collapse, etc.), but it might be more desirable to combine relative self-reliance with tightened small-scale social networks.
Think eco-villages, small hamlets, cooperatives and collaborations among homesteaders.
Relative self-sufficiency is great, but it’s more efficient if you can team up with people of different strengths and interests:
- Someone to keep goats and barter or sell milk and cheese;
- Someone to build and repair tools and machinery;
- Families working together to build structures or sharing in the care of children;
- Neighbors helping out to take care for animals, as well as humans — bringing food when a homeowner falls ill, for example.
Some people even choose to take this option to the extreme in the form of communes: living and working together full-time.
How to become self-sufficient
There’s so much to consider when thinking about living completely self sufficiently.
Whether you’re just exploring your options or already in the process of becoming self-sufficient, you’ll know what best fits your skills, your age, your physical health and endurance, the area you live in, etc.
Perhaps most importantly, consider your ability to not accept failures as dispiriting defeats, but rather your capacity to turn those inevitable so-called failures into important lessons on your journey toward self sufficiency.
Read more about the process to become self-sufficient here
FAQs
Yes, self-sustainable living is possible in the modern world. While achieving complete self-sufficiency may be challenging, it's feasible to come close to it and significantly reduce our reliance on external systems. After all, self-sustainable living is not an all-or-nothing endeavor.
Is self-sufficiency possible in today's world? ›
Achieving complete self-sufficiency in modern-day society is extremely challenging, if not impossible. While it may be possible to grow one's own food, generate one's own energy, and meet other basic needs to a certain extent, there are many aspects of modern life that are simply not feasible to achieve on one's own.
How to be 100% self-sufficient? ›
Self-sufficiency is a mindset and a way of life that takes a lifetime to live out.
- Grow Your Own Fruit, Vegetables and Herbs. I think everyone should grow something. ...
- Preserve Your Own Food. ...
- Cook from Scratch. ...
- Save Seeds. ...
- Compost. ...
- Choose Cloth. ...
- Raise Chickens. ...
- Keep Bees.
To live off the land, you also need to protect yourself from the elements. You can colonize and/or modify natural shelters such as caves and alcoves, though you should always exercise caution when scoping such potential refuges out: You never know what kind of critters may already be calling the place home.
What does it mean to be fully self-sufficient? ›
1. : able to maintain oneself or itself without outside aid : capable of providing for one's own needs. a self-sufficient farm. 2. : having an extreme confidence in one's own ability or worth : haughty, overbearing.
Can you be too self-sufficient? ›
Being self-sufficient is one thing, but when this notion is taken too far and you're unable to accept any kind of help or support, it can become unhealthy.
Could America be self-sufficient? ›
One question that has been asked since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war is whether America can be self-sufficient. The simple answer is yes. International relations professor Ches Thurber believes it is possible for America to be self-sufficient without Russia, but it would take a collective effort with our allies.
Which country is fully self-sufficient? ›
For example, Bolivia is completely self-sufficient at an average production diversity of 27. Comparatively, Turkmenistan is also completely self-sufficient, but at an average production diversity of 15.
How can I be self-sufficient in life? ›
10 ways to become more Self-sufficient right NOW
- Grow your own food. ...
- Compost Scraps. ...
- Learn to Cook Garden to Plate. ...
- Learn to Take Cuttings. ...
- Save Seeds. ...
- Learn about Edible plants. ...
- Harness Natural Resources. ...
- Up-cycle and Re-use.
You can use self-sufficient to describe people who are independent financially, paying their own bills and working to support themselves, or people who are independent emotionally.
There are three key characteristics wrapped up in self-reliance including:
- Resourcefulness - the ability to find a way around obstacles and create or find solutions.
- Reliability - the ability to show up and follow through when expected.
- Resilience - the ability to bounce back when things do not go your way or as planned.
Can you live self-sufficient? You can live in a self-sufficient way by following a few steps. You will need to learn how to grow your own food, conduct your own repairs, and live in a minimalist way. You will also need to generate your own energy and you will need to know how to live off the land.
How to survive when you have no money? ›
– Government Assistance. The government offers a plethora of resources for families and individuals who have hit hard times. There are monthly stipends, housing vouchers, and credit cards for food that you can use until you get back on your feet.
In what states is it illegal to live off-grid? ›
While living off the grid is generally not considered illegal across all states, some specific laws and regulations must be adhered to. To start with, you may need permits to build your off-grid property or to live in a recreational vehicle (RV).
Is it possible to live off the grid? ›
Some people do it without any modern technology, while some just rely on their own power and water supplies. Regardless, the lifestyle isn't for everyone, but the people that do find an off-grid life to be for them absolutely love it.
What are the dangers of being self-sufficient? ›
Self-reliance is typically seen as a good thing. The problem is that it either leads to people who take too much responsibility or people who don't take enough responsibility for themselves. Ultimately being an island unto yourself can lead to anxiety and depression.
