In this fast-paced, consumer driven society, many people are longing for a way to cut ties with the norm and live a more self-sufficient life of freedom, independence and inner peace.
Maybe you’ve considered it too, but don’t know where to begin.
The idea of becoming self-sufficient can be overwhelming at first, but don’t let that scare you.
No matter if you live in a small apartment in the middle of the city or on a farmstead with 500 acres, you can easily start this journey with a little planning and prep work.
Here are 5 ways you can start making the transition to a self-sufficient home and lifestyle today.
Educate Yourself
Before you make the choice to live a more self-sufficient lifestyle, it’s important to educate yourself on what that really means, not only by definition but also to yourself.
Ask yourself what you want most from this new way of life.
Maybe you simply want to save money on monthly expenses, so you start growing your own food or use alternative forms of energy.
Perhaps you want to go the extreme route and cut ties completely from society.
Deciding to be self-sufficient doesn’t mean you have to be all in or nothing. You simply have to determine what works for you and the end goal you want for yourself and your family.
Pay Off Debt
If you’re looking to flip the switch and live a more self-sufficient life, it’s important to pay off the debts you owe and work towards financial freedom.
Being in debt weighs you down and limits your options when it comes to how you want to live your life.
Begin making a plan – write out all your expenses, create a monthly budget and decide how you can cut expenses to put any/all extra money towards your debt.
As you go along, you can build a bigger savings account that will help contribute towards your self-sufficient journey.
Simply Your Life
One of the best things you can do to kickstart a self-sufficient life is to begin ridding your life of all the things you DON’T need.
Clutter has a way of adding stress and anxiety to your life without you even realizing it.
In a way, your possessions start to own you, rather than the other way around.
Depending on how much stuff you have, it can be overwhelming at first.
Start small and focus on one area at a time.
Clean out your closets and donate the things you don’t wear anymore. Empty out and re-organize one kitchen cabinet with only the things you actually need.
Once you declutter your life and downsize your material possessions, it will feel like a weight has been lifted from your shoulders.
Plus, it makes it so much easier to clean AND find things you’re looking for when there’s no clutter to get in the way.
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Embrace Simplicity
When it comes to living a self-sufficient life, it’s important to embrace the idea that less truly is more.
By taking a minimalistic approach to life, you can start to move away from the consumer led, hyperactive society that you’re used to and be happy with the small, simple moments that fill your day to day.
Be mindful of the things you do and take note of what you allow into your life, your head and your home. Start a gratitude journal, take a hiatus from social media and spend more time in nature.
When you do go shopping, search for quality over quantity, simplify your lifestyle and your home (see number 3) and make time to relax every single day.
You may be surprised to see how fulfilling it is once you get back to the basics and embrace the simple things in your everyday life.
Be Open to Learn New Skills
If you truly want to live a more self-sufficient lifestyle, you’ll need to be open to learning new skills that will help you get there.
No matter if you want to go completely off the grid or simply find a more independent way to live in your current space, there are plenty of things you can learn.
Start small at first – instead of a huge backyard garden, try container gardening or make a windowsill box where you can plant some of your favorite herbs.
Learn the basics of CPR and educate yourself on natural healing remedies. Try your hand at baking bread and learn alternative ways to cook without electricity. Make an effort to continuously learn and build new skills that will allow you to live a self-sufficient life.
Embracing a self-sufficient lifestyle is one of the best things you can do to put yourself back in the driver’s seat and have more control over your future.
With a little planning and prep work, you’ll be on your way to independence in no time.