Self-Sufficiency in Style
fresh start
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Self-Sufficiency in Style fresh start
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Moving house - not necessary. |
Since going self-sufficient will usually mean leaving or changing
employment or moving house, perhaps both, it is a good opportunity to make
a fresh start in other areas of life. The daily timetable and activities will inevitably change to allow new activities and make old ones impossible. Don't miss the chance to make it a good experience. |
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understand that, over time, our computers go out of date and cluttered with
half forgotten rubbish. Our lives are much the same. They need a thorough audit: a good look at what we are doing and why. We usually find that many of the things we do, we don't actually enjoy and in some cases really detest. Some of the people we have in our lives, no longer give us any pleasure or us them. Why take them with us? Your new life is just like a new computer fresh from the box: exciting, full of possibilities and maybe just a little daunting. |
Leave the past in the bin. |
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Modern machine man. |
So many of the things, we do from habit
from an absurd attachment to routine. "I have always done it this way" must be the worst excuse for doing anything. "It was expected of me" is almost as bad. |
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So you have a real chance to change and a good excuse for making things very different. Let's see if we can make some suggestions. |
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The writer saw much of international charitable organisations because of
his job. People responded to disasters with great charity. It was a big
disappointment to often see their money wasted and, in some cases, make
the problem worse. So many charities today are little more than employment opportunities for layabouts with a taste for public relations and access to a big advertising budget. It takes great moral courage, and a little practice, to say no to requests for aid. But perhaps it is time to become selective and only to give to charities you know and trust? Generally, the major religious charities, of the main denominations, are reliable, as are the smaller missionary type operations, but do check the latter. It is not unknown for nice people to front scams without being aware of what is going on behind closed doors. |
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Life is quite exciting enough for some of us. |
The writer is sometimes approached to either buy or sell draw or lottery
tickets, usually for some local charity. Since he now does not gamble, he always refuses. He has gambled very occasionally in the past and has no objection to others doing so. In fact, he gets no "kick" from such minor risk taking and on becoming self-sufficient decided no longer to indulge others on the subject. The fact that the clergyman who married him, looted the parish of 100K to feed his addiction, before running off to Australia, has nothing to do with the matter! That the writer is regarded as a bit peculiar on the subject, bothers him not at all. If you are going to become self-sufficient, you must get accustomed to such things. |
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Are you getting the idea? Your likes and dislikes will be very different, but why not be true to yourself for a change. |
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It is not just your money that society demands from you.
Living a "normal" life means constant demands on your time - not least in pressure to join things. Consider resigning from everything. Why not? |
You can say "No!" |
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Always a pecking order! |
If you have been in business or in
employment, you will have been pressured to belong to dozens of
organisations. Everything from the Masons to Inner Wheel and the golf club, some of which you will have enjoyed or thought worthwhile. But changing your life should prompt a reassessment. Retiring or moving will automatically remove you from some. Think carefully before rejoining the social rat race. |
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Merely because you choose to clean up your life, does not mean you need to cease to be charitable and helpful. You will have surplus vegetables and fruit: walk to an elderly neighbour with them. They will welcome the company and you can check on their well-being at the same time. |
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You can consider joining one of the many smallholder groups like the
"Lincolnshire Self-sufficiency and
Smallholding Club" in the UK. They have real fun, with fascinating activities, or you could take some beekeeping tuition. Things like this might be more appropriate to a new way of life. |
Beekeeping? |
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You could become a hippy. |
Changing your entire lifestyle can give an enormous boost to your zest for
living. It does not always take money, and may well save some. You don't always need to move. You can wear old clothes, drive an old banger, grow your hair or a beard. You can throw away your neckties and tell the do-gooders to get lost. Out the other end may come a very different and self-sufficient person, perhaps one with an even deeper sense of charity and duty, respect for others and awe at the works of creation. |
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There are many more articles and series on this site dealing with the "how" of self-sufficiency. Some take some finding, just like the ideal lifestyle. Try Fashionable Savings - for some thoughts on "kicking over the traces - and access to some other series on changing your life. |
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...starting anew - from Hangman's Cottage, just to the south of Misery Corner. August, 2006 |
