Why Being Self-Sufficient is the New American Dream

Something happened around 2005 or so, something that changed the way Americans (and many other first-worlders) thought about adulthood tradition, and work life. Maybe it was younger Generation Xers realizing that the mortgages their parents prized didn't make sense, or maybe it was the Millennials entering the job market and saying "f*ck this". But at some point in the last 15 years or so, interesting things started to pop into the cultural consciousness.

Things like yurts and tiny homes, survival shows, the widespread popularization of composting and "going green", alternative retirement plans (like FIRE), and urban community farms. This isn't the "going back to the land" movement of the Boomers either (which really should have been termed the "Going back to the land and then back to the city to get a big house and two cars" movement). This is bigger than that—what people are realizing is that all of these things we thought were necessary (big debt, big houses, big cars, and big bosses), aren't. Not only are they not necessary, but our rampant consumerism (buy, buy, buy) and attachments to all of these things has royally screwed up the situation on Earth, for us, but even more for the future inhabitants of this planet. Our time is limited here, and seeing things like that also makes you question your choice to slave away for a boss and company that doesn't care about you— just to give all of your money away to live in a society that's getting more and more expensive and more destructive.

Let's get real here, we don't watch shows like Tiny House Nation, Alone and Naked and Afraid just for the entertainment. Many of us want to learn, to see how life is when you've stripped away all of the stuff. The important thing is that we are seeing thousands of others actually doing it—quitting their jobs and starting their own businesses, creating homesteads, starting podcasts, building their own homes and growing their own food. We know it's possible, and many people are taking the steps towards those goals (or just jumping in, if they have that luxury). So how do you become self-sufficient? The thing is, it's different for everyone. For some, it means keeping their regular job but going part time once all of the debt is paid down and they are living mortgage-free. For others, it means going all out and being off the grid without access to city utilities and growing their own food on a small property. Whatever it means to you, just know that it is possible, and every bit of self-sufficiency that you gain is well worth it. So, why is the trend happening now?

Things are crazy, y'all.

You don't believe in climate change? Not going there. You believe in world peace and that war and all bad things will go away, because you were in San Francisco in '69? Not going to go there, either. The truth is, both sides agree about one thing—the shit is hitting the fan. One side says climate change is real and we need to do something about it because the earth will if we won't, and the other says you can't trust the government (no matter who is president), and nuclear war among world powers or disasters could happen at any time. Both things are most likely true, and all of us can see that weather is worse, natural disasters are intensifying and happening more often, and we are dealing with crazy pandemics and economic chaos—so let's just share a damn bunker and stop fighting.

Stuff is getting crazy expensive.

Oh, you haven't noticed? Not only is it getting more expensive, stuff seems to be getting crappier and more disposable. I expect things to just fall apart in less than a month when I buy them now, so I try to make what I can or do without a lot of the time. But when I need something, I head to the one place where you can still get quality goods—the thrift store. Because you can spend $150 on a 5-shelf crappy bookcase that you swear you used to buy at Wal-Mart for $15, or you could play "Pimp My Bookcase" and get a nice heavier quality one from the '80s for $30 or less at your local thrift shop. We are all (I mean the 99%, not you, guy in Gucci complaining about the rising prices of yachts) struggling to keep our heads above water lately. Wouldn't it be great if we could build, grow, and generate most of what we needed to live and not be such a burden on the Earth? Oh wait, we can! Then let's do this.

Stuff is toxic.

If you grew your own food, would you add a bunch of poison to it? If you built something for your family, would you coat it in some toxic stuff that is meant to make things look better on the shelf? Most of us don't want to poison ourselves, it's true. That's why being self-sufficient makes so much sense. No, we can't control the levels of pollution in the air or chemicals in the city water, but we can grow cheap, organic food and build sustainable DIY projects.

My point in all of this is that we can take back some control in our lives by creating different parts of our own reality. We can save money and get closer to nature. Self-sufficiency has a whole lot of benefits, and this won't be the last post about it.

"Well, people are going nuts in our modern day society. We are lacking culture. We are seeing a deeper connection. We are seeking a meaningful experience of life."

-Nicole Apelian