The Importance of Self Sufficiency

The importance of self sufficiency is essential for several critical reasons, especially in todays world. Not taught in schools or many homes anymore, self sufficiency is and was the key to a prosperous society. Could it be that today’s troubles and food insecurities are based on our willingness to outsource all responsibility of ourselves to other parties? Self sufficiency provides the individual a resilience to political and economic upheaval. Reducing the effect of recessions and depressions within the economy have on the family. This value is immeasurable. During economic uncertainty self sufficiency provides stability within the home by reducing the financial requirements of life.

Resilience

The less reliant you are on a grocery store or any other external sources for your basic needs provides you with a greater resilience in the face of economic downturns, natural disasters or other unexpected disruptions to your daily life. When water, food and energy is within your control even partially, handling problems comes with a greater ease. Even during the last world war, thanks to Victory Gardens, half of North Americans food was grown in the backyard, building our resilience.

Environmental Impact

Financial Independence

A self sufficient lifestyle is an investment that provides people a financial savings in the long run. This financial savings will quickly lead to income generation from homesteading and gardening by selling surplus goods. By simply looking at what you eat you can supplement or completely remove many food products you currently purchase. While replacing them with higher quality, better tasting varieties.

Building Community

The importance of self sufficiency fosters a sense of community. I remember as a child, neighbours were always giving each other the excess of their harvests. In these communities and groups people often share their resources and support the local economy and community. Fostering wealth within the community. Building community is an important part of self sufficiency.

Satisfaction and Security

Being able to meet your basic needs of survival reduces anxiety and enhances your sense of security. The satisfaction created from your own abilities to provide for yourself boosts self esteem as it provides a sense of accomplishment and strength in character.

Total self sufficiency in a modern society may seem unrealistic and probably is. Due to technical advancements no-one can build everything. However, the importance of self sufficiency in a modern society requires us to be capable of producing our own food locally. How “modern” is society if it is based on slave labour in another country? By producing our own foods even seasonally would reduce the shipping requirements globally by an actual measurable amount.

In a Climate Crisis producing your own food, energy and goods will reduce your ecological footprint and have more effect than any solution provided by any world leaders or experts. Living sustainably provides a healthier outcome for the planet and ourselves. If we all did what we could food insecurities would not exist.