Many people are tired of the rat race and feel enslaved to the system, working hard to pay bills and barely keeping their head above water. Deep inside they feel called to a more natural way of life, learning to grow their own food, enjoy the freedom of alternative energy rather than paying the utility company, and get back to a simpler, more basic way of life. They want more time with their family and friends, and recognize that their lives are out of harmony with nature. They feel drawn to self sufficient living. But are these things really achievable? The answer is a resounding “Yes”!

Our own journey toward a more sustainable way of life began in the summer of 2000. We moved to a cabin in the mountains off the grid and started our very first garden. Over the years, we’ve continued to learn, often in the school of hard knocks, but we wouldn’t trade our new way of life for anything.

While there are key steps to take and mistakes to avoid in achieving the goal of a self sufficient way of life, with a little knowledge, anybody can enjoy the benefits of sustainable living. Our own experience certainly proved that, but we’ve also seen it time and time again in helping others to make the transition to self sufficient living as well. It might be helpful, however, to begin by reviewing the most common pitfalls that seem to keep many people from ever taking the first step.

On of the most common errors people make is attempting to tackle self sufficient living all at once. While this can certainly be overwhelming, it also generally leads to discouragement and finally just giving up. As anyone who has truly achieved a sustainable lifestyle will tell you, the secret of success is to take things one step at a time. Gardening provides a perfect example of this. Preparing and planting a garden can seem daunting, especially for those who don’t have enough room for a suitable garden to provide for their food needs. But if you start small, keeping things manageable while you learn the ropes, you’ll build your skills over time and ultimately master the art of growing your own food. Even if it means starting your garden in pots on the patio or in the window sill, starting is the key. Success with a small gardening project will motivate you to branch out and develop other self sufficient skills as well.

Planning and persistence will ultimately lead you to your goal, one step at a time. This is true for self sufficient living, just like it is in every other pursuit in life. Education is key, however, and the sooner you find a good source of reliable information, the sooner you’ll be on your way. There are various considerations, including growing and storing food, alternative energy, as well as other aspects of sustainable living. Nevertheless, it all starts with knowledge which will ultimately enable you to reap the rewards of self sufficient living. There’s no better time to start than right now. Why not visit our website, where you’ll find free articles and links to help you achieve your goal.

Want to find out more about self sufficient living, then visit Andrew Paulson’s site on how to enjoy the benefits of a sustainable way of life.

categories: self sufficient living, sustainable living, alternative energy, gardening, nature, family