Self reliance seems to be somewhat of a lost art in this day and age. 75 years or so ago, I think it was a lot more common for people to do many things themselves, that these days seem out of the ordinary for many people.
Self reliance, or self sufficient living, can mean different things to different people.
It can mean practicing sustainable living, simplicity, homesteading, or just learning to do more things yourself and for yourself, that you might have to pay , hire, or depend on someone else to typically do.
When I refer to self reliance, I generally think of doing more things my self, such as cooking, cleaning, yard work, growing your own food, minor home and auto repair and maintenance, and similar activities.
It also means fixing or repairing things instead of just throwing them away. I think this is one area in which today’s society has really lost a step or two on previous generations, certainly here in the U.S. So many things today, from clothes to electronics, and dozens of other items, have become “throwaway” when they get damaged, torn, or broken.
Part of the reason I think that many people in society today is that we have this sense that we just don’t have enough time to do many of these activities ourselves, or certainly not enough time to learn how to perform new tasks.
Is this really the case? I don’t know for sure, but I often feel like much of the demands on my time are self-imposed, so to speak- I can spend hours on the internet reading if I am not careful, for example, when I could actually be learning something.
The science fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein has a great quote on what human beings should be able to “do”- some of them may be a little outdated, but you get the idea.
“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”
— Robert A. Heinlein
How many things can you do?
What are some things you would like do yourself but haven’t learned how to do yet?
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While it’s probably more popular to think that we’re all turning into gibbering idiots, the fact of the matter is that technology is becoming more complicated. 20 yeas ago, cars didn’t have computer chips, telephones were simple landlines instead of circuits boards, antennas, and batteries all crammed into a tiny case, and there were no little stickers telling you that playing around inside would void your warranty.
This is also why it is often easier and cheaper to replace an items rather than repair it.
As far as the other things you listed, I think time and knowledge are both factors. I decided to try to grow my own herbs at home. Despite giving them what I thought was adequate sunlight & water, they all died within weeks. I have never seen plants that dead! Now I just buy them at the store.
fix my own car….
I agree with everything in the quote except for butchering a hog. I will leave that to the experts. If it comes down to me having to kill the animal myself, I will just become a vegatarian. lol
I can do a lot of things, I guess I’m independent and do not want to rely everything on someone. If I can do it or perhaps learn how to do it, I would, I guess there are still a few out there who are self reliant. I agree with you technology really did change the lifestyle of people regardless especially in urban areas.
I never did enough for myself! Now with a house I started to step it up since calling ANYONE costs hundreds. That being said, I also think people do less because of the fear of messing up the situation worse.
If I try to work on my car and screw up the computer, or a gasket (do cars even have gaskets?) I just turned a $100 job to a $1,000 job.
@Evan- I think that is definitely something to consider, especially when the results can be much more expensive if you screw something up. I have found, though, that once you learn something (such as with car maintenance and repair you use as an example), it becomes easier over time, and I am frequently ready to try things a little more complex-although it is good to know your limits.
OK… I cannot write a sonnet or take an order. And my butchering skills are crappy but if I am hungry I will survive.
This is a great quote! I drives me crazy every time I hear of someone that has called a plumber because of a leak or an electrician because they need a new light switch. We all have two hands, if they can do it so can you!
@LLC- I have learned to take orders over the years (I guess that is how I stay married-LOL). With minor home repair work, it can be very profitable to learn how to do those things yourself, such as leaks & clogs with plumbing and replacing electrical switches and fixtures.
I think realistically in this day and age it is very hard to be completely self reliant. Even when people used to be hunter gatherers there was specialisation because be truely great at something you need to practice practice practice. So sure you can get a basic level of knowledge many different aspects of life but you are always going to need others.