As I think about our mission going forward, I’ve finally figured out how to define what our goal is here at The Frugal Farmer:
Physical, financial and spiritual self-sufficiency.
Being a part of the prepper community, we’ve spent much of the past 4 years working to figure out how we can best be prepared for the economical and other uncertainties that America and the world’s future holds. We’ve determined that the one thing we can do to help prepare our family and other families is to learn how to follow these three basic rules of self-sufficiency and preparedness.
Physical Self-Sufficiency
Physical self-sufficiency involves three main things:
- Working to learn how to be physically healthy
- Working to learn how to be physically strong
- Working to nurture your body properly, resting when rest is required, working when work is required.
A life of self-sufficiency requires much physical work. Those wanting to heat their homes with wood, for instance, must have the physical stamina to chop, stack and maintain that wood supply. Those wanting to grow and preserve their own food must have the physical stamina and health that is required to maintain a large garden and to work to harvest and preserve that food.
Mini Farming: Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre
In a self-sufficient lifestyle, there’s really no room or time for aches, pains and sickness. In order to help your body function at optimum level it’s important to:
- Eat in a way that promotes good health
- Get/Stay active in cardiovascular, flexibility and strength-training exercises/health
- Practice rest and relaxation, get plenty of sleep and don’t work yourself into physical disrepair
Being able to be self-sufficient and to be able to share your self-sufficient gifts with others requires good physical health. Don’t downplay this important aspect of a prepper/self-sufficient lifestyle.
Financial Self-Sufficiency
Good self-sufficiency preparedness requires a secure financial state. Some aspects of a secure financial state for the purpose of self-sufficiency are:
- Being free from all debt so that you are not bound to any lender
- Having multiple sources of income so that you still have the ability to make money if one income source disappears
- Having skills or products available for barter or trade should the monetary system collapse and become unusable
The less you depend on the mainstream world of “normal” for your need of money, the more self-sufficient you’ll be.
Spiritual Self-Sufficiency
Spiritual self-sufficiency means having the skills/knowledge you need to be mentally and emotionally prepared for any type of disaster or emergency. Physical health is good. Financial health is good. But without the mental/spiritual ability to stay strong-minded and level-headed in the event of a disaster or socio-economic or other breakdown, you’re screwed, for lack of a better term. Mental, emotional and spiritual strength are vital to making wise decisions in the event of an emergency or widespread disaster.
In our family, our main aspect of our spiritual self-sufficiency is our relationship with Jesus Christ. We use the wisdom in the Holy Bible to show us how to live a life that is dependent on no one but Christ, yet well-equipped to help others whenever we can.
Your spiritual self-sufficiency might look different than ours, and that’s okay. Here are some aspects of spiritual self-sufficiency:
- Being strong enough emotionally and mentally to make sound and wise decisions in both times of peace and times of chaos
- Practicing humility so that arrogance can’t come in and make your thinking short-sighted/small picture
- Having a strong/solid relationship with your god or yourself that encourages confidence and level-headedness
- Making a commitment to continuing education of the ways that will help you be self-sufficient and an asset to your community.
If you are committed to a self-sufficient lifestyle, it’s imperative that you practice honing your skills to help you function optimally in these three areas: physical self-sufficiency, financial self-sufficiency and spiritual self-sufficiency. Don’t leave any skill out when it comes to making sure you and your loved ones are prepared.
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I love the idea of this 🙂 our circumstances will have to change quite a bit to achieve this, but I’m hoping to do some of the things you mention! I definitely need to hone some of the skills first.
Nicola, I know you guys can create the life you want to create – keep at it, my friend. 🙂
Great thoughts here Laurie! I’m working to achieve many of the things you mention too. I like the idea of self-sufficiency because I’m not very good at having to rely on others for help or assistance.
I hear you there. It’s tough to rely on others, especially when you’ve been disappointed by them in the past. Self-sufficiency is not only a way to care for yourself, it’s a way to be able to help others as well.
I love this Laurie! Especially the need for spiritual self-sufficiency. I think that plenty of people think about physical and financial because they are so much easier to grasp but when you are not on a good spiritual grounding, you can easily end up in a bad place mentally and emotionally.
So true, Shannon! We have got to be aware of all three sides of this coin in order to be fully healthy.
While I don’t consider myself part of the prepper community, I think the things you’ve outlined here apply to living a full and happy life, in general. I need work in all three areas, but I’m moving in the right direction.
And that’s what counts, my friend. 🙂
I have never heard the term prepper community. With today’s conveniences and technology many have lost the ability to be prepared in many of these areas. They are too reliant on someone else. Always good to be self-sufficient and prepared because you never know what might life might throw your way.
You’re right, Brian – too many are very reliant on technology and modern conveniences. We need to start educating ourselves on how to survive without the constant assistance of today’s modern conveniences.
We are pretty good on the physical and spiritual side but have lots of work to do on the financial side. This is a great way to tie them all together. We really need to have them all!
You’re working toward it, though, Jayleen, and that’s what counts. Keep on keepin’ on, my friend. You got this. 🙂
This is a perfect, simple, all-encompassing list. I think so often we focus on one or two of these and neglect the third. For me, the physical preparedness is foolishly always at the bottom of my list. More and more I´m understanding how all three of these go hand in hand, and eventually when one goes south, the other two will follow.
It’s amazing, isn’t it Chela! This revelation has changed my life. Glad it has impacted you as well!
Even though I’m not a “prepper” (very different from “preppy”, isn’t it?) I think these three areas of strength are ones that I would definitely benefit from. “Being strong enough emotionally and mentally to make sound and wise decisions in both times of peace and times of chaos.” That’s the one that sticks out for me. When there is chaos in my life, I tend to get pretty chaotic myself. This is the one I’ll focus upon. Thanks : )
Good for you, Prudence! Emotional prepping is a huge piece of the puzzle, IMHO.
Great post Laurie!
The wonderful thing about your three rules of self sufficiency and preparedness is how they can also transfer to other areas of one’s life should they choose to do so.
Either way, a healthy dose of all three can ensure a better quality of life regardless of one’s situation! Relatively speaking of course!
Thanks for sharing Laurie and take care.
My best to all.
Lyle
Hey, my friend – good to hear from you!!! Yes, the rules do indeed apply to so many areas of life, don’t they? I’ve found that when I have these three areas in order, life goes along much easier.
Great topic and great ideas for being self-sufficient in three critical areas. Similarly, I always advocate that people seek to do one thing every day to improve their well-being in the same three areas … and a fourth, mental well-being.
Love the idea about doing one thing every day to improve their well-being, James!! Even the busiest of people can take the time to do ONE thing. 🙂
I love this idea of self-sufficiency and preparedness. Honestly, I feel I am not that fully self-sufficient and prepared. That being said, knowing factors of each category makes it easier to attain this state. Yay! I am ready to get it.
Go for it, Jayson!!!! And then let me know what you’ve implemented. I love hearing preparedness success stories!