Self Sufficient Living

The right to one's independence and freedom, is according to me, the most coveted and basic right of them all. No matter what you gain in your life in terms of money and fame or have been promised the rights of freedom of speech and the press, by your country, none of them hold any importance, if you do not have the freedom and independence to be able to implement those rights. Living under pressure and having their individuality stifled cannot lead to a person realizing their maximum potential. One needs to be 'independent' in the true sense of the word for that.

I think this concept of self sufficiency stems from this idea of being 'independent'. As the name suggests, self sufficient living means, earning one's livelihood and other amenities (food, shelter, clothing) by oneself, without a third party being involved. This concept is gaining more and more popularity these days because of the growing costs in society. At a time when everything is expensive and the supplies less, self sufficiency seems to be a solution to these problems. But when one thinks about it, this form of living is a lot more than that. It is less demanding on our natural resources and is therefore very beneficial to the environment and one should therefore turn to it.

On a Farm

This form of living can be easily undertaken if one is living on a farm. There is the advantage of space and land and several other natural resources as well. There are a lot of opportunities to a self sufficient green rural living.

1. Grow a vegetable garden.
2. Buy chickens and other poultry animals to get eggs and meat.
3. Start a business by selling the extra produce from the vegetable garden or poultry farm.
4. Harvest honey or, better still, start bee keeping. It is a very lucrative small time business, and ideal for this form of living.
5. Grow a fruit garden and export the extra fruits.
6. Use the cow dung for bio fuel instead of spending money on gas and electricity.
7. Start a nursery as an extension of your garden.
8. Collect all the mulch and dry leaves from the gardens and plantations to be converted into fertilizers and saving the cost.
9. Collect and store excess rainwater and use it for irrigation of fields, gardens and lawns.

In the City

There is so much scope for self sufficient living in the city, that you'll be amazed at what you can do if you really decide.

1. Install solar panels that come with batteries for all the household energy required.
2. Do not opt for electrical dryers, instead use a clothes line for drying clothes.
3. Re-use grocery bags instead of discarding them after every purchase. A better option is to carry a cloth bag.
4. Re-use paper around the house for scrap, packaging material or pet bedding instead of simply throwing it away.
5. Get a solar water heater and oven to replace electric appliances. Since solar energy is natural energy, you do not have to depend on the whims and fancies of electricity for your needs.
6. Build a rain barrel to collect rainwater and use this for irrigation of the gardens and lawns.
7. Grow herbs and spices in pots so that you don't have to buy packets every time.
8. Opt for a lawn mover that is not run on electricity but can be pushed for the same effect.
9. Walk or cycle to places as far as possible. This goes a long way in saving the environment as well.
10. Learn to stitch, repair and sew basic clothing items.
11. Install sky lights.
12. Opt for large windows so that maximum light comes in and you do not need to depend on electric lights to supply the light.
13. Opt for a low flow or composting toilet to preserve water and allowing it to last longer.
14. Starting a self sufficient business instead of depending on the services of an employer is another way of following this concept.
15. Buy things that are produced locally, instead of having to pay an amount on exported goods.
16. Learn to repair basic home appliances and items to keep them in good condition longer ad thus save money and time.
17. Go on hikes, camping and other similar activities that do not require using much resources.
18. Instead of buying canned foods, take some time out and make them at home. Some of these are cheese, butter and yogurt.
19. Use the wet waste from kitchens to use as compost for plants, instead of buying it.
20. Make your own beauty products from natural ingredients like hibiscus and aloe Vera instead of spending on cosmetic products.
21. Preserve the food by canning, freezing or using any other preservation techniques. This will help the food stay longer and you can continue to use it even after its season is over.

These are some basic tips that one can employ to better their lives. But in order for true self sufficient living, it is important to develop that attitude in the first place. One has to decide to do it. That is what will help you come up with innovative and better ways to live self sufficiently according to your needs. All the best!