Living in our modern world makes it almost completely unnecessary to do many things for ourselves. A pipe breaks, call a plumber. Want some vegetables? Go to the store. Want a new house? Have one built. Centuries of tradition, skill and experience that support self-reliance and independence have pretty much gone out the window. We’ve lost the art of building things and sustaining ourselves, and we are dependent on a system that is incredibly fragile. However, there will come a day when it all grinds to a halt, and many people will have no clue what to do with themselves.
Here are a few examples of skills that have gone by the wayside. You may want to consider developing some of them to avoid getting caught up in the turmoil that lies on the horizon:
Food Security
The only way to really create a secure supply of food is to develop your own. This means gardening, raising animals and storing items after harvest. The good news is that there are lots of options available for anyone, no matter where they live or how much land is available. You can grow abundant crops of vegetables and herbs with vertical planters if space is a premium. You can build a greenhouse in colder climates when growing seasons are short. You can even raise chickens or grow shrimp and fish in a tank at home.
Hunting
Very few people actually hunt, and this is one art that should be learned and practiced repeatedly. Understanding how to track and locate prey, using rudimentary weapons and setting basic traps can connect you to an endless supply of meat and fish. Hunting is not difficult, but it requires practice and patience in order to be productive. Taking time to learn now will open up limitless doors of possibility that can pay big dividends in the future.
Carpentry
People used to construct their own homes and build furniture, but this is definitely becoming a lost art that needs to be kept alive. This is especially true if you end up having to flee and create your own shelter in a place far from civilization. Of course, simply knowing how to make basic repairs or create special nooks and crannies in your home will help you during a SHTF scenario as well. Practice building things and taking on small projects so that you will have a sense of how to adapt if you are forced to fend for yourself in the future.
Basic Mechanics
It’s amazing that the average person doesn’t know how to work on an old car, repair a household appliance or get a broken radio working. While our technological civilization does require specialized maintenance, there are still plenty of things in this world that run on nuts, bolts and belts. Knowing how to figure out how to build and fix mechanical things is an essential skill that is dying off with each passing year.
Making Herbal Remedies
Nature has a fantastic way of providing us with resources for almost everything. From plants that can fight infections and cure diseases to substances that can clean and disinfect our lives, we are surrounded by what we need. However, many of these time-honored solutions have been usurped by manufactured products that use synthetic and often harmful chemicals. Using natural sources for many of our personal and household needs has been the norm for centuries, and it is something that is worth getting re-acquainted with.
There is nothing wrong with enjoying the conveniences that modern life offers all of us. However, it comes with a price. Take time to learn how to fend for yourself in order to sustain your life. These and other lost traditions have kept humanity fed, healthy and safe for centuries. While living off the grid may be optional today, it may be necessary tomorrow.
