So you’re a first year newbie and you have decided to learn how to be self-sufficient in an apartment.
Good for you!
You’ve taken the first step and decided you want to start a homestead so you can live a more self-sustainable lifestyle.
You may be thinking it would be cool if you started to grow your own food, or maybe learned how to make your own cleaning products for your home.
That way you’ll know exactly what your family is eating and using as cleaning items because you have made them yourself.
It’s wonderful to feel confident that you and your children won’t get sick from any unwanted additives or chemicals in their food or the things you clean with.
But how do you get started on the path to self sufficient apartment living?
Self Sufficient Apartment Living
The first thing that might cross your mind is that you don’t own property out in the country.
How can you possibly start a homestead in an apartment?
You can!
The key is to start small the first year and take your time to learn some new skills.
This will make your transition from the way your life currently is to self-sufficient living much more enjoyable.
You can do this!
In fact, more power to you, for deciding to make this change for you and your family.
It honestly doesn’t matter where you live, be it an apartment or the suburb.
You can start to transition your family into becoming more self-sufficient by doing little things at first then growing them over the next year.
In fact, this is a wonderful way to get started so when you do get your own homestead you don’t feel so overwhelmed at the prospect of “doing all the things” you have never done before.
Apartment Homesteading
Even if you are apartment homesteading – and many are – you can start learning how to use fresh produce in your everyday meals.
You can also start learning how to preserve food so you won’t have to rely on buying your food from box stores quite as often.
Then slowly wean your family away from buying pre-made food in boxes that contain many things that are bad for you.
Slowly begin switching them over to more “made from scratch” food that you make yourself.
You can start right now!
It’ll be fun!
Not to mention this is something the whole family can enjoy doing together.
The skills you learn your first year will help you become more self-sufficient.
In the past, these skills were passed down from generation to generation and taught at a very young age.
Though most of them are not taught anymore, they are valuable life skills that everyone should learn.
The problem is with convenient stores at every corner, those lessons aren’t needed as much in many people’s opinoins.
But the convenience has come at a cost.
This is one reason why people are beginning to think about homesteading in their apartment until they can move away from the city and buy land to start their own homestead.
Stop Self Sufficient Skills From Being Lost
By choosing to learn a variety of self sufficient skills, you can prevent some of them from becoming lost, although some already have.
You can also prevent your family from coming into contact with harmful chemicals from various locations, like the food we eat and the products we use to clean our home.
You’re making the right choice to learn these necessary self-sufficient skills.
Not to worry, you won’t have to learn all them overnight.
You can take your time and learn a little bit at a time, with the things you’re interested in first.
A year from now you will feel proud of all that you’ve accomplished.
Not to mention, you will be more prepared for when you do get to move out to the country.
Self Sufficient Apartment Goals
First, you’ll need to write down some self sufficient goals.
Think of some things you’d like to learn to do, such as growing a garden, preserving food and maybe making some of your own cleaning products.
These are simple fun projects that will teach you basic self-sufficiency.
As your skills grow, you be able to preserve more and more food each year.
Before long you’ll be a pro and people will be coming to you for advice.
Ask yourself what skills you can learn together as a family?
If you set some goals, you can learn many skills within a year.
Hopefully then before the lease comes due next year you’ll be ready to move and maybe get your first two chickens.
Essential Homestead Skills You Can Learn In An Apartment
So now you may be wondering what essential homesteading skills can you learn in an apartment in a years time.
Here’s a list to give you some ideas:
- Grow a tomato plant in a container
- Grow herbs for cooking or medicinal use
- Go to a You-Pick-Farm for vegetables and fruit
- Preserve food by canning your first tomatoes or make salsa
- Start buying fresh meat from a local farmer
- Buy fresh milk if possible and learn to make cheese or butter.
- Support local farmers.
- Build a closet just for preserved food
- Start stocking up on a month’s worth of food, then two months, then three months.
- Buy a freezer if you have room
- Start cooking from scratch, dig out your grandma’s recipe
- Make your own bread
- Make jam and jellies, try making hot jellies for adding to grilled chicken
- Make pickles
- Learn to make soap
- Learn to make your own cleaning supplies
- Learn to build shelves out of wood
Of course these are just a few ideas.
Think about the skills you want to learn and decide if they are doable where you currently live.
Grow A Garden In Your Apartment
You might think you can’t do this, but you can.
You can grow food in containers on a patio or balcony.
If you can’t grow outdoors, then check to see if there is a community garden you can be a part of.
If not, you can always grow a few things inside with a south facing window or by using grow lights.
Herbs grow very nicely indoors.
Another option is to go to the farmers market to get fresh produce for your family and buying organic will help.
It won’t teach you to grow food, but it’s a start.
Just growing a simple tomato plant in a big container will produce you enough food that you’ll be able have plenty of fresh tomatoes on the dinner table.
You might also end up with enough extra tomatoes that you can preserve some.
Try making salsa or canning tomatoes for stews in the winter months.
Doesn’t that sound amazing?!
Learn To Preserve Food
If you don’t have room for a garden, or don’t want to grow plants indoors, then go to a You-Pick-Farm and pick your own produce.
This can be fun for the whole family.
You can preserve the food you pick or buy by canning it, dehydrating it or freezing it if you aren’t ready to try your hand at canning.
There’s a lot of self-sufficiency skills you can learn in a year.
As long as you set proper goals you can make your dream of being self-sufficient come true right now.
Before long you’ll be a proud modern homesteader even if you still live in an apartment with a much healthier, happier family.
Self-Sufficient Apartment Living F.A.Q.
Q: Is being self-sufficient a good thing?
A: Yes. Being self-sufficient is an essential part of healthy mental awareness. Success is knowing you are capable of accomplishing whatever you set out to do.
Q: How can I make my apartment self-sufficient?
A: There are a number of skill’s you can add to your day to day life such as the ones mentioned above. Here are a few others:
- Reuse water for your plants, to flush the toilet, etc.
- Learn a skill such as sewing and repurpose worn out clothes or redesign them.
- Start an indoor compost bin. There are ones designed specifically for apartments.
Q: What exactly is self-sufficient living?
A: It is defined as the ability to maintain oneself without outside aid. It means you are capable of providing for yourself and your family.
Q: What are some of the benefits of being self-sufficient?
A: There are many benefits to being self-sufficient including:
- You can save money because you can grow or raise what you need.
- You can choose to grow organically thus protecting the environment.
- You can avoid stressful situations such as empty grocery shelves because you already have what you need at home in your pantry.
Self-Sufficient Living
The Essential Guide To A Completely Self Sufficient Homestead
Learn how to start living on a completely self sufficient homestead today with this essential guide plus sign up for our FREE eCourse!
7 Ways To Start On The Path To A Self Sustaining Homestead
A self sustaining homestead is a lot of work but you do get a lot of satisfaction knowing you are living the self sufficient life you've dreamed of.
A Beginner's Guide To A Self Sufficient Homestead Plan
Making a self sufficient homestead plan is the first step to accomplishing your goal of living on a self sufficient homestead.
Living The Homestead Lifestyle
Embarking on the homestead lifestyle is not easy. This is why I love Homegrown and Handmade by Deborah Niemann. The homestead tips are great!
Weapons To Include In Your Homesteading Self Sufficiency Survival Kit
Learn what weapons - both lethal and non-lethal - to include in your homesteading self sufficiency survival kit. Also learn why you need to include them.
Mockmill Flour Grinding Mill Makes It Easy To Grind Your Own Grain
The Mockmill flour grinding mill quickly and easily turns wheat berries into flour that is perfect for making freshly baked bread.
Homesteading Today In The USA
Although the Homestead Act of 1862 is no longer in effect, free land is still available for those wanting to try their hand at homesteading today.
How Much Land For A Homestead
When it comes down to the reality of how much land for a homestead you really need, it's much more than just a number. Learn what you need to consider.
What Homestead Living Is Really Like
Learn what homesteading living is really like. It's not always picturesque or romantic. In fact, sometimes it is difficult.
Food Security Preparedness - What To Do Before Disaster Strikes
Learn what food security preparedness skills you need to survive any natural or man-made disaster, and why you should grow your own food.
Learn To Be Self-Sufficient
Learn to be self-sufficient from Sheri Ann Richerson, a modern day self-sufficient woman with these eBooks and printables!
Self Sustainable Living Ideas Using Animals
Animals are a great way to help you acheive your self sustainable living ideas. Learn what animals are best for your self sufficiency plan.
Preserving Herbs For Winter Use eCourse
Do you love fresh herbs but wonder if there is an easy way to preserve them for the winter?
Do you seek other ways to use herbs other than just as a seasoning on food?
There are so many ways to preserve herbs for winter use – from various methods of drying them to freezing them, but it doesn’t end there.
Some of the best ways to preserve herbs in right in the foods you would normally incorporate herbs into – pre-made seasonings, teas, butter or oil.
Then this is the course for you!
What You Will Learn In This Course:
Hang herbs to dry
Use a hanging herb dryer
Dry herbs on a window screen dryer
Dry herbs in a dehydrator
Dry herbs in an oven
Dry herbs in a microwave
Freeze herbs whole
Make herb ice cubes
Add fresh herbs to freezer meals
Add herbs to canned sauces
Preserve herbs in vinegar
Preserve herbs in oil
Preserve herbs in butter
Preserve herbs in salt or sugar
Make pre-made seasonings
Make herbal tea
Make herb jelly (plus tips on how to use these)
