Becoming more self sufficient a growing trend in the UK at the moment. Some may call it homesteading, but self-sufficiency is another way of looking at it. Various factors are causing people to rethink the way they lead their lives, including climate change and the ever-increasing cost of energy. Many people choose this way of life because they want to feel closer to nature. Reducing your carbon footprint, saving money, and saving the environment are a few more valid reasons. If you want to implement ways to change your life for the better here are some ideas that will help you get started.
Generating Your Own Energy
Take a good look around when you're driving around the neighbourhood, and you might be surprised how many people are now generating their own energy using solar panels. Wind turbines are another way of creating your own energy supply. The upfront costs can be quite significant, but you can expect a return on your investment in less than ten years.
Grow Your Own
The quickest and easiest way to self-sufficiency is to grow your own food. It can be done in the smallest of spaces, and you don't really need green fingers to be successful. It is advised that you start with crops that are particularly easy to grow such as salad leaves, radishes, broad beans, runner beans, onions, and garlic. When you've got in some practice and have researched what grows best in your location, you can branch out and maybe try some tropical vegetable seeds from an established source.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
You've probably heard these three words countless times. They are good habits to adopt because of the benefits not just for your pocket but the environment and your home. Buying produce that has less packaging, donating or selling unwanted items, using old clothing for cleaning rags and having a compost pile or bin will all mean there are fewer things going to landfill.
Install a Rainwater Collection System
Installing a rainwater collection system is ideal for those that live in the UK as there is quite a lot of rainfall. Rather than just letting it all run away, install a collection system and put it to good use. If the weather is on the dry side, you will still have plenty of rain collected to water the garden. It's even possible to use water in your home for washing dishes and flushing the toilet.
Keep Animals
If you've got the space, and the neighbours won't mind, you can try keeping animals. For most people, chickens are a good animal to introduce as they are not particularly difficult to take care of. As long as they've got somewhere to scratch around, a steady supply of food and somewhere comfortable to roost and lay their eggs they should be happy. They're also very sociable creatures and quite fun to have around. Buy rescue chickens from battery farms, and you'll be helping them live a better life.
Becoming more self-sufficient is easy as long as you know where to start. The ideas given above are a great place to start, and before you know it, you'll be looking for other ways to reduce your dependence on big corporations.
