Becoming More Self Sufficient

Posted byAshleyhouck 14 Comments on Becoming More Self Sufficient

After reading The Nightingale and watching many tv shows, I have decided to try and change my life style a bit. I’m The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, she writes of WWII when Germany took over France. This leaves the French with little for themselves. They had to learn to survive and be self sufficient. I have also watched many tv shows where some extreme event occurs and people are forced to make the change to self sufficiency for survival. This got me thinking about my lifestyle and what I would do in these situations. I have decided that I would like to make changes now for many reasons.

I do not believe that an extreme event will occur so I am not planning for that. I feel that my family could benefit from living more simply and perhaps doing more for ourselves. My children would have a blast with making their own things. I have decided to start a vegetable garden this year. Every year I plant a flower garden. My flowers grow so beautifully. My children love to help me weed the garden and watch the plants grow. I know they would love to also grow our own food. This would make things a little easier in my house so we would be saving some money at the grocery store and it will teach my kids valuable life lessons.

I would also love to make my own soaps and cleaners so they are more natural and save on waste. I am big into sustainability and have been trying to make small changes as much as I possibly can.

The downfall is I have no idea where to begin. I have begun to do some research, but I am not a farmer so this is all so new to me. I know I will find the information with some work. I am also aware that this years crops may not be the best and may fail. I plan to keep trying until I succeed.

If anyone knows anything about gardening, self sufficiency, or sustainability any advice is welcome. This is totally new to me so I appreciate any input good or bad. Thank you in advance!

Published by Ashleyhouck

I’m a stay at home mom to 3 wonderful angels and many fur babies.

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  3. I’m right into self-sufficiency and live off grid.
    No idea what country you’re in or how big your garden is, they would both impact on growing your own vegetables. Using your grey water to water the garden is useful eg bucket out the washing machine instead of letting it go down the drain … recycle everything, solar panels, composting toilet, chickens, fruit trees, walk and use public transport instead of a car. There really are so many ways but you’re doing it best, make the changes gradual and include the whole family as team effort helps 🙂

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    1. I live in the USA New York. Where I live we aren’t allowed to have chickens. But I have plenty of yard for a garden. I have begun composting as of November. I will be trying to do more walking instead of driving. It’s just difficult in the cold with 3 little ones. But we will be having some warm weather coming so I can do more walking. I have been doing more recycling but have found that when the garbage men come, they put everything into the back of the truck. Not sure if they sort it at the facility or just put it all in the landfill. I’ve been thinking about keeping the cardboard to burn in a fire pit in the summer.

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      1. keeping the cardboard for summer is a good idea, here in Australia we can phone our local council and ask about recycling. I don’t have garbage collection so it’s up to me to dispose of my rubbish correctly. Great motivation for reducing it if you are responsible for carting it away and disposal …

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