We have reached a point in society where it is no longer necessary to know how to survive without others and without technology. While it is nice not to have to worry about it, it also puts us in a much more fragile position. What if some of our modern systems or technologies were no longer available for one reason or another? What if there were requirements for participating in the system that you disagreed with but you were so reliant on the system that saying no would put you in dire straights? What if the system ceased to offer the products, services, benefits, or meaning that you desire? Some people come to the world of self-reliance through a desire to be independent, some out of distaste for today’s systems and institutions, some for protection against negative potentialities, some purely out of interest and intrigue, some for religious purposes, and others for other reasons. Regardless of your “why”, we can point you in the direction of “what” and “how”.
Gardening is probably the most well known way of supplying your own food.
Homesteading is often thought as someone having a small family run farm out in the country where they grow most or all of their own food.
Water is a necessity for life. If one desires to be self-reliant, this must be addressed. Water is needed for humans, animals, and plants.
The philosophy behind permaculture is one of working with, rather than against, nature.
Could you survive if the whole system crashed tomorrow? How long?
Energy is often taken for granted in today’s society but it is not always available, even in non-apocalyptic situations.
In aquaponics you grow plants and fish alongside each other like in a pond.
One area of a self sufficient lifestyle that often leads people to throw up their hands in defeat and saying, “just call the guy,” is keeping their vehicles running.
There are many options for using animals to generate your own food supply.