5 Simple Living Habits For Self Sufficiency
Self sufficiency is no easy feat, but it is worth the hard work. Simple living and self sufficiency go hand in hand. Whether you plan to homestead, live off grid, or are just looking for ways for more simple living, these habits will be a benefit to you.
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Simple Living & Self Sufficiency
If you’re like me, you might still live in a city, but want to practice simple living and become more self sufficient. We can put into practice some of the habits of self sufficiency to prepare for our future goals of homesteading, off grid living, & simple living. I want to be as prepared as possible so I feel confident when we make the plunge to homestead and move off the grid.
Self sufficiency looks different for everybody. You might have plans to homestead on a ranch, build an off grid cabin or live in a camper on a piece of land. Or you might just want to simplify your home where you’re living right now to be as self sufficient as possible.
No matter what your version of self sufficiency is, you can incorporate these habits to live your life more simply.
1. Buy Books
Naturally, we don’t buy books as often as we used to. The internet is chock-full of any and all information we need.
But, if you are in a location without internet, what will you do? Having books on hand that cover a large range of skills and practices of self-sufficiency will save the day!
There are a handful of books that I’ve purchased over the years as I prepare for our goal of homesteading and off the grid living. A few of my favorites are:
- The Encyclopedia of Country Living – this book covers almost any area of country living you can think of and more. I like that it is a quick guide, but in some instances you might find that you want a more in depth explanation of certain processes. Overall, it is a great way to get your toes wet with information pertaining to living more simply.
- Traditionally Fermented Foods – this book goes deep into the science behind fermentation and the many reasons to use the process. There are tons of recipes to use and easy to follow instructions.
- How to Cook Everything – this is a large cookbook with recipes that span across many cuisines with easy to follow instructions. I like knowing that I’ll have it if I’m ever without internet and can’t look up a recipe.
There are many books my husband and I keep on hand. For instance, my husband keeps 100 Deadly Skills & The MeatEater Guide to Wilderness & Survival on the bookshelf to brush up on skills and for emergency use.
There are so many topics to cover when you’re practicing simple living and self sufficiency. You might want to stock up on books about raising chickens, foraging plants, building a house, and so much more.
Start buying a book each month and your bookshelf will fill up before you know it. Don’t forget to check your local resale shops for books or use AbeBooks.com to purchase used books.
2. Print Or Write Down Recipes & Instructions
Right along with owning books, it’s a good idea to print off recipes and instructions to have on hand.
I despise using my phone while following recipes. Even though I post recipes on my blog in hopes of readers enjoying them, I still hate looking at the little screen as I cook.
I’ve started printing off every recipe I use and it has CHANGED MY LIFE! I don’t have the stress of my phone screen timing out while I’m working through the steps of a recipe. I also don’t have to keep putting my pin code in to unlock it with food-covered fingers.
Printing recipes has been a huge relief for me. If you don’t have a printer, you can hand write them on recipe cards!
I now have the confidence knowing that when we start homesteading and living off the grid, I will have my binder of recipes to use instead of relying on the internet or electricity to charge my phone. I can just flip open to the page and cook with ease.
Some of my recent recipes you can print:
Cast Iron Skillet Shepherd’s Pie
All-Natural Remineralizing Toothpaste
Instant Pot Creamy Ground Beef & Potato Soup
3. Start Using An Alarm Clock
We rely on our phones for EVERYTHING. Research shows that the average time people spend on their phones is 2 hours and 54 minutes per day. That’s three hours out of the 12-14 hours we’re awake. That’s a quarter of the day, everyday!
This can be a huge challenge when you want to be self sufficient because the internet might not be an option. It also inhibits us from becoming fully skilled because we know we can just open Google for any issue we have.
One way I’ve started parting ways with relying on my phone is by using an alarm clock. It feels good knowing that I don’t have to rely on my phone for yet another thing: to wake me up.
I invested in an inexpensive alarm clock that can be plugged into the wall or run off batteries. I like the idea of the backup batteries if the power goes out. It also allows you to use the alarm clock in any off grid situation you find yourself in.
4. Practice Alternative Coffee Making
Knowing alternative cooking methods is always a good idea, but it can seem overwhelming. You don’t need to start building a fire or constructing a brick oven to begin practicing alternative cooking methods.
I simply started by using a different method to make coffee. Instead of relying on a coffee machine, I have started using a french press. I like that I don’t need electricity to make coffee in the mornings. Plus, it tastes even better than a coffee maker.
We’ve also started using a Stanley Camp Percolator when we go camping. It was a challenge at first to get the coffee to brew on a fire, but we’ve learned to be patient and how to place the coffee as close to the flames as possible to get a decent brew.
Simply switching our methods of making coffee has empowered us to think outside the box and seek alternative cooking methods in other areas too. Starting out with a small method like making coffee was the key to success.
5. Learn New Hobbies
I believe that self sufficiency, homesteading, and living off the grid is a hobby in itself. It sets you up to be a life-long learner of all kinds of skills.
It is a good idea to find some relaxing hobbies that don’t require internet or electricity as well. This could go back to something as simple as reading.
Instead of reading books about skills, you can also read fiction, which comes with many other benefits. Reading fiction helps enhance your imagination and creativity. It helps you with problem solving and shows you different perspectives on life.
Others hobbies to consider that don’t require electricity:
- Crocheting or knitting
- Sketching (read about all the health benefits of sketching here!)
- Gardening
- Playing an instrument
- Needle point or sewing
- Yoga
- Writing
- Rope tying
- Nature hunting (mushrooms, flowers, herbs, arrowheads, rocks, etc.)
Start Incorporating Simple Living Habits
You can choose one or two of these habits to start incorporating today. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Incorporating one or more of these habits will put you on the path to simple and self sufficiency. You’ll be more prepared for self sufficiency because you’ve gotten used to some of the changes that are required for simple living, homesteading and living off grid.
Regardless, these habits can help you boost your confidence and get you on a path to more simple living and self sufficiency right where you are.
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