Why NOW is the best Time to Start Thinking About Self-Reliance

If you are feeling anxious, hopeless, or overwhelmed by the state of the world today, you are not alone. Many people are facing unprecedented challenges and uncertainties due to the global pandemic, climate change, social unrest, political turmoil, economic instability, and other issues. It seems like everything is falling apart and there is nothing we can do about it.

But what if there is something we can do? What if we can take back some control over our lives and our future by becoming more self-reliant? Self-reliance is the ability to rely on your own skills, resources, and judgment to meet your needs and solve your problems. It is also a mindset that values independence, creativity, and personal responsibility.

Self-reliance is not a new concept. It has been advocated by philosophers, writers, and thinkers throughout history, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Mahatma Gandhi, and many others. They saw self-reliance as a way to achieve freedom, happiness, and fulfillment in life, which it can totally do and provide its own rewards system and dopamine hits.  It’s the ability to produce and consume your own food, energy, water, and other resources without relying on external sources or intermediaries. It is a way of life that can offer many benefits for individuals, communities, and the environment, and makes you feel so good.

What’s the urgency? Well, every tree you plant today will give you more benefits in the future than the tree you plant in the future. We don’t have much time left. Also, with the climate crisis and its effects, it’s better to act now than later, especially when you need to learn new skills and methods to grow your own food and men a property, such as cover crops, crop rotation, solar power, etc.

Benefits of Self-Reliance

Self-reliance can provide many advantages for people who want to live more sustainably, healthily, and securely. Some of these benefits are:

• Reduced environmental impact: Self-reliant people can reduce their ecological footprint by producing their own food without relying on imported or processed foods that often come from far away places and have high transportation and packaging costs, not to mention the carbon footprint to bring you a banana. They can also reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or hydropower to generate electricity for their homes and businesses. They can also conserve water by harvesting rainwater or using grey water systems to reuse wastewater.
• Increased food security: Self-reliant people can increase their food security by growing their own crops or raising their own animals on their own land or in urban gardens. They can also diversify their diets by eating more locally grown and organic foods that are less likely to be affected by pests, diseases, or trade disruptions. They can also store food for longer periods of time by using methods such as canning, freezing, dehydrating, or fermenting. This can also greatly lower your intake of processed and poison foods.
• Improved health and well-being: Self-reliant people can improve their health and well-being by eating more nutritious and balanced diets that are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. They can also avoid exposure to harmful chemicals or additives that may be present in processed foods or pesticides that may be used on conventional crops. You can also exercise more by engaging in physical activities for everyday things, such as gardening.
• Enhanced social connections: Self-reliant people can enhance their social connections by living closer to their neighbours and community members who share similar values and interests. They can also participate in local events such as markets, fairs, festivals, or workshops that foster mutual learning and support. They can also contribute to social causes, such as volunteering for environmental protection or disaster relief.

Challenges of Self-Reliance

Self-reliance is not without its challenges. Some of these challenges are:

• High initial costs: Self-reliant people may face high initial costs when they decide to start a self-reliant project, such as building a greenhouse or installing solar panels. These costs may include buying land or equipment; paying for permits or licenses; hiring contractors or experts; or investing in seeds or livestock. It’s no easy startup, and we know this.
• Lack of infrastructure: Self-reliant people may lack access to adequate infrastructure such as roads, water supply, electricity grid, or internet connections that are essential for running a self-reliant project efficiently and effectively. They may also face difficulties such as finding suitable land or water sources; transporting goods or services; or communicating with others. They also often find themselves truly having to rely on themselves, thanks to a lack of modern utilities and services that cities take for granted (like firefighters).
• Lack of skills: Self-reliant people may lack the skills or knowledge that are required for managing a self-reliant project successfully. They may need to learn new skills or acquire new information, such as how to grow different crops; how to raise different animals; how to use different tools; how to deal with different problems; or how to comply with different regulations, etc. It’s advised to seek professional guidance where needed, and not to construct something when you have no idea what you’re doing. Skills come and can be learned, you only have one life.
• Lack of support: Self-reliant people may lack the support or encouragement that they need from others they know. They may face resistance or criticism from others who do not understand or appreciate their choices or actions. They may also feel isolated or lonely when they are the only ones who practice self-reliance.

How to Start Thinking About Self-Reliance

If you are interested in self-reliance, here are some steps you can take:

• Start small: You don’t have to start with a big project right away. You can start with small steps that will help you build your confidence, skills, and resources. For example, you can start with growing some herbs, flowers, or vegetables in your backyard or on a balcony; you can start with raising some chickens, pigs, or rabbits in your coop; or you can start with making some candles, soap, or other things from scratch. You can also upcycle products, and look into healthy alternatives to what you do now.
• Learn from others: You don’t have to do everything alone. You can learn from others who have experience in self-reliance. You can join online communities, forums, or groups where you can ask questions, share ideas, and get advice from other self-reliant people, like Rynue. Furthermore, you can also read books, blogs, or podcasts that cover topics such as self-reliance, off-grid living, homesteading, permaculture, or sustainable living.
• Plan ahead: You don’t have to improvise everything on the spot. You can plan ahead for your self-reliant project by setting realistic goals and deadlines. You can also create a budget and a timeline for your project and track your progress and expenses. You can also prepare for potential challenges or risks that may arise during your project and have contingency plans in place.
• Be flexible: You don’t have to stick to one plan or method forever. You can be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances or needs. You can also try new things and experiment with different options until you find what works best for you. You can also learn from your mistakes and failures and use them as opportunities to improve.

Self-reliance is not a one-size-fits-all solution for everyone. It is a personal choice that depends on your values, preferences, resources, and circumstances and is often over romanticized. However, self-reliance is becoming more important and feasible in today’s world because of the many benefits it can offer for individuals, communities, and the environment.