Self-Reliance: Reliance on one's own powers and resources

Hi and welcome to r/selfreliance! :) Thank you for visiting us! To facilitate your understanding and integration in this sub please spend some time reading these General Guidelines and Principles.

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This community is a place to discuss articles, guides, life-hacks and bits of knowledge on how to be self-reliant, we have the aim to increase a bit more our knowledge in different areas.

Self-reliance is a broad concept, it is our intention to be a platform of knowledge and educational sharing of skills that may give individuals some sort of independence for their lives - however we are not an authoritative source of information. Formal expertise, experience, training, preparedness, well-being and safety should be your own responsibility - ultimately that is what self-reliance is about!

We are not "lone wolf" promoters. In most scenarios, you are more likely to be better off with a group of people who help each other rather than being alone - remember, different people have different skills. Also, historically we have thrived by having communities working together - which is why it’s still important to work together while sharing your knowledge and skills with others. There is nothing wrong in asking for help.

Do note: if you are asking a question in this sub we ask you to write [Help] in the beginning of your post title. However, please use the search feature before posting, chances are someone has posted about that topic before or check our wiki here.

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Be nice to each other and all the best and be your best!

Quick reminder, if you are asking a question it is suggested that you to write [Help] or [Question] in the beginning of your post title, this way you'll have a better chance of someone looking and replying to it.

some context first: - I ( now 21 M) have been brought up in a family where sweetness was a top value installed in me. My dad seeing me as his last chance at being a father and falling in love with me at first sight put all of his self esteem on me. His love for me was extreme, that of Disney proportions and being a failed business man in a very conservative country weighted heavily on his self image giving him very poor self esteem. He often expressed shame at his inability to provide for me the exceptional education I deserved. . - All of this lead to my very unique upbringing where I had a father that needed cheering up and only I was the one able to reach his heart (which I guess you could call being parentified). Over time this became a way of me conditioning myself into the overtly sweet and smily kid that can sooth conflict and I definitely use my weigh to get my needs met. . - fast forward 20 years and the negatives sides of this upbringing is definitely showing. I have very little backbone and my narcissistic people pleasing tendencies seems like a demon overcoming my body whenever there is a conflict which I was wronged in. My tendency to forgive and forget is honestly quite shocking to myself, especially when it’s so inappropriate to do so. . - recently I got cheated on and even though I had every right to stick to my decision to leave the relation, I still found it in me to forgive even though I hold little to no attachment to the person I’m in a relationship with and have been thinking about leaving semi daily. The only and main reason I can think of to understand my behavior is concluding my people pleasing tendency is so great that I refuse ADAMANTLY REFUSE to be the one instigating a breakup because of what it could do to my self concept of being the ‘good boy’. - which prompt the question: HOW THE HELL DO I GET A BACKBONE AND STOP MY ATTACHMENT TO GOODNESS?! If you cracked the code let me know please

Wooden furniture provides warmth, finesses, richness, and comfort to every corner of your home. Bed frames, cupboards, shelves, tables, and chairs are all the essential benefits of wood furniture that one cannot overstate. However, the furniture industry has given many other options to choose furniture from. Likewise, these days, leather furniture is slowly in demand, for it not only looks classy but is perfect for vintage decoration. Whether to go for wooden furniture or leather furniture, this article will help you out to find the answer and choose the most optimum one.

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Beginning with the wooden furniture, it offers an excellent blend of excellent appeal and structural integrity, which is hardly reflected by other materials’ furniture. Wood is a vital element of nature, and therefore it successfully establishes a connection to the interior decoration transforming the mood and appeal of the entire house. It creates a welcoming and homely feeling and an utterly organic sense. Wood is used from generation to generation for various purposes offering quintessential quality hard to replicate.

The reasons behind wood being a prominent favorite for furniture can make a detailed and long list. But here is a gist of benefits of wooden furniture:

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Wood has robust and long-lasting properties making it a perfect selection for people who desire to have longevity while buying furniture. Both hardwood and softwood have innately stable and are reliable enough to make furniture.

The durability of wooden furniture ensures the full value of your money. Even if you ever wish to sell the furniture, it will be looking as sturdy and durable as it was when you bought it. It also brings easy maintenance and oiling, waxing, and polishing should be done occasionally.

Wood adds a certain amount of charm and dignity to every room, matching the other interior decorations. When a skilled artisan crafts it, he does it with a boundless potential bringing innovative designs and aesthetic allure to life in the form of the wooden furniture.

As said, wood is capable of adding charm and dignity to a room, irrespective of it being a lighter-colored material or darker hues. Also, when excellent craftsmen craft them, there is a vast scope for creativity to bring on beautiful allure to furniture.

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When you source the wooden furniture from a certified supplier, it represents sustainability, which is an ecologically friendly way to furnish your dream home. Take a look at Wellington’s Fine Leather Furniturefor a variety of furniture options to choose from. It is a renewable building material, so the carbon footprints are lower in this case.

Apart from sustainability, wooden furniture comes in varied colors and tones, meaning you have ample alternatives in terms of styles and looks.

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In the case of leather furniture, take a note that is highly in demand and can be found in almost every home. There are many benefits of leather furniture too. So if you are having any doubts about which kind of furniture to buy, here are some top advantages of leather furniture to clear your head and reach a final decision.

Trust this that you won’t be able to look away from the stunning and classy looks of leather furniture. It will surely make your heart skip a tiny beat. It’s of aesthetic value, adding a sense of class to your living room. Giving an inviting appeal, leather comes with a gentle sheen making it looks more pristine. Besides, it’s not something that can go through wear and tear. On the contrary, it lasts long and even longer for many years if you take care of it the right way. Usually, leather furniture has consistent looks as compared to the furniture of other materials.

It doesn’t require a lot of attention, and just a bit of regular dusting will make it last longer. Although leather conditioning is recommended every 6 to 12 months and it only takes a few minutes. Wiping down the conditioner on the leather with a damp cloth will do the care. If you want some extra shine, use some quality ensured polishing agent on it.

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Leather furniture is optimum for the creation of a hypoallergenic environment. Since it is entirely resistant to dirt, animal dander, and dust, it is hard to get allergies. On the opposite, fabric furniture tends to lock in allergenic elements and make it challenging to create a comforting, healthy, and anti-allergy environment. Leather is a material that is resistant to liquids as well and doesn’t absorb them. Proper care of leather furniture adds some extra years to its life. It is a lifetime investment bringing good returns if you would plan to sell it in the long run.

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Hi all,

Do note that some Reddit automations are being added to our sub r/selfreliance. These will sometimes remind users about post/comment rules and/or may block certain phrases or words from posts.

Automations are being implemented to facilitate the reddiquette and the rules of this subreddit.

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If you have any suggestions or find any issues/problems please send a mod message. However, bear with me as this is currently being "slowly" done.

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As always,

be nice to each other...

... and all the best and be your best!

If recent events have you seriously considering finally moving to the country and starting a homestead/hobby farm, you probably have a lot of questions. And though learning self-sufficiency skills is key (and fun!), the most important place to start with is learning what type of land to look for. Our experts have you covered in 12 things to look for in a homesteading property.

Homesteading, also known as “hobby farming”, was gaining in popularity before the pandemic. However, once COVID hit and things started shutting down the homesteading movement went from a steady growth to an explosive one!

Suddenly, the ideal of achieving greater self-sufficiency, having more space and securing one’s freedom became a top priority for millions of families across the globe.

In the United States, this was evident by several published migration reports which showed people leaving cities in droves and heading (largely) for the Southeastern United States. 

If you’re one of those people who has already relocated and is looking for rural land to start a hobby farm, or you’re considering relocating and becoming a homesteader, this article is for you!

Throughout the years, we’ve featured dozens of families who abandoned conventional urban or suburban life to take up homesteading in the country. We’ve also interviewed a variety of rural land experts on what it takes to find, purchase and develop raw land into the home of your dreams. 

This article is a compilation of their real-life tips and advice on the best attributes of a homesteading/hobby farming property. 

As you’re reading this, keep in mind that everyone’s vision and goals for their homestead are unique. As are your location, budget, timeline, family needs, lifestyle, etc. Thus, there is not one find-a-perfect-property-formula we can share. There are however, several common considerations that can benefit anyone in finding an ideal property to call their family homestead. We hope this article helps you find yours!

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If you think you need 50 or 100+ acres to set up a functional homestead, think again. Many hobby farmers set up homesteads on smaller acreage, between 1-10 acres vs. 10-100 acres. The right amount of acreage for you depends entirely on your goals, budget, and objectives.

In How Many Acres Do You Need for a Hobby Farm or Homestead, Ben Faulk of Sand Hill Farms, offered this advice to aspiring homesteaders: “If you were going to have a homestead with 1-2 horses, a family cow, and your gardens, I’d want 10 acres of pasture, 2 acres for produce, maybe a one-acre orchard and the rest of it would be buildings. So 15 acres could hold most of what you want to do.”

However, many homesteading families, including those who make a living off the land, prefer a smaller farm.

Bottom line: do some serious research before committing to a certain amount of acreage---you may need less (or more) than you think. 

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A mixture of pasture and wooded land gives you the ability to grow your own food, erect buildings, and raise animals in the open, while having access to shade and the benefits of timber for personal or financial gain.

However, if your budget is tight, inventory is low and/or location is a factor a fully wooded lot can be an excellent investment.

Forested land can often be purchased for less money than cleared land and then cleared to suit. This gives you the opportunity to custom-design your ideal mix of woods and open land while enhancing the value of your property and giving you a potential stream of future income in your timber.

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Most rural properties require well installation, but it’s also wise to have a creek, river, pond, spring or lake on-site for homesteading purposes. Plus, if you’re interested in going off-grid or partially off-grid, a natural source of water for drinking, bathing, fishing, a spring house, electricity, etc. is a must. 

Just be sure to check on any potential flooding/floodplain issues before purchase. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t purchase a property with some flood plain or wetlands on it. It can actually be a benefit depending on what you want to do with your land. For example, elderberries can be grown on a flood plain and wetlands attract a variety of wildlife. Just make sure you have ample dry space to build your home, outbuildings, etc.

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The best location for your home and building sites should be discussed with a builder before you purchase the land. The reason being: the homesite you have in mind may or may not be feasible based on access, the amount of excavation required, well or septic requirements, flooding potential, proximity to trees or other factors relating to home design (barn, shed, cabin, etc.) off-grid capability, insurance, etc. 

Bottom line: walk the property with a licensed contractor before you get dead-set on a piece of property and/or a homesite.

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As the old saying goes, you can change a lot of things about a home...just not it’s location. Thus, where you decide to buy should be heavily considered.

Some people love to be out in the middle of nowhere where they can do whatever they want with the land, homeschool their kids and be surrounded by untouched nature. Others will prefer to be within 20 minutes of a decent-sized town with a nice grocery store, movie theater, top-rated schools, homeschool coops, etc. And if you’re commuting to a job with the potential for traffic, you’ll definitely want to keep the length of that commute in mind.

The purpose of your land will also weigh into the equation, as some rural business ventures, such as retreats, hunting camps, etc. are better suited to very remote areas.

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Access isn’t typically a concern when purchasing a prebuilt home. However, when buying rural land you want to make sure you have rights to access that land easily. Ideally, you’d want a property with road frontage which may be private (meaning it’s up to you and/or your neighbors to maintain) or public/state maintained. If your land does not have road frontage, that could be a hindrance in getting a construction loan. Lack of access can also affect your building efforts since most homes and outbuildings require heavy equipment which must be trucked in on viable roads.

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Rural properties typically have less zoning restrictions than urban or suburban land. But, the only way to know for sure is to check with the county. This is especially important for homesteaders who plan on keeping animals, erecting outbuildings, farming, or using the property for any type of unique purposes, including hunting and fishing. Your land agent can advise you on the best areas for zoning based on your land requirements.

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Soil is super important if you’re planning on growing or raising your own food and/or food for market. At the very least, you’ll want to ensure there is no soil contamination (or potential of) and you may wish to get a soil test to see what you’re working with. More often than not, poor soil can be amended to create a beautiful and fertile garden or farm. However, it’s best to test and not guess---especially if you’re planning on applying for organic certification, installing a pond or lake or suspect any type of contamination from previous owners or tenants.

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One of the biggest perks of buying rural land is the freedom to do what you want with your property, without worrying about HOA rules. 

However, many rural properties, especially those within rural neighborhoods, do have what are called Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (also known as CCRs). These are established to help maintain the value of your land while keeping undesirable developments, like a junkyard or waste facility, away from your property.

CCRs are typically much more flexible than HOA rules as they’re designed to preserve landowner freedom while protecting land values.

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Yes, becoming a homesteader usually means you have a desire to spend less time on screens. However, most people will still require high speed internet access for working, entertainment, starting or maintaining a business, homeschooling, keeping up with your favorite homesteading podcasts and other communications.

You can inquire about this with your land agent and check with neighbors in the area. 

Keep in mind that although high speed internet in the country has come a long way it’s not uncommon for rural places to have poor cell service. Fortunately, this is usually fixable by getting a cell phone signal booster, connecting your phone to your Wi-Fi and/or getting a landline. Or, if you’re into being off-grid, all this may be a benefit!

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Raw land typically requires that electricity, water, propone and septic be installed.

The cost to run electricity to your homesite will vary depending on the land’s location, topography, local rates and how far from your road your homesite is. In some areas, power companies will run the first few hundred feet of line above ground for free and underground power typically costs extra (but may be worth it for esthetics and/or if you're in a storm-prone location). The only way to know for sure is to get an estimate from the power company before you buy the land and choose your homesite.

If you’re considering solar, wind power or going off-grid, you’ll also want to factor in the best location for your home and buildings based on orientation and weather patterns.

The cost to install a well also varies depending on the well’s location and depth requirements. 

You’ll also need to get a percolation test to ensure your land is suitable for septic system installation. From there, the price will vary based on the size of your home, the number of bathrooms and bedrooms, your soil, the land’s topography, and the tank’s location. For example, if you plan on building near a creek or lake that can increase the price of your septic system by thousands of dollars.

Finally, if you’re interested in having a gas stove or fireplace, you’ll probably need to have a propane tank installed.

Click the links above for detailed articles on wind power, going off-grid, well and septic installation.

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Going from a city or suburban lifestyle to homesteading can be made much easier if you’re surrounded by a supportive community. The best way to get a feel for this is to spend time in the area. Attend local festivals, visit the farmer’s markets, check out the schools and/or homeschooling community, if you’re religious, attend some local churches, visit the Chamber of Commerce and scope out the overall homesteading scene. 

Once you start actively looking for properties and find one you love, don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to the neighbors and ask some questions. Most people are happy to meet their potential new neighbors and will have valuable information and insight on the neighborhood and your property of interest. Plus, if you end up buying it you’ve already made a connection.

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Tree transplanting takes much more time and expertise than your typical tree care duties.

Why? Well, transplanting requires tampering with tree roots. Sprawling roots have lots of responsibilities—like anchoring a tree in place, transporting water and storing nutrients. That’s why cutting roots before transplanting can do some serious damage, and in the worst case, even kill a tree.

Before you attempt to prune roots on your own, read below to learn how to keep your tree as safe as possible in the process.

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The transplanting process starts with tree root pruning. Trees can’t keep all of their roots in the move, so your task is to prune roots to establish a new root ball, which will eventually be transported to the new planting site.

Before diving in, take these steps:

1. Measure the diameter of your tree by wrapping a measuring tape around the tree, four feet from the tree’s base. Then, divide that number by 3.14. Generally, you can safely prune roots that are 3-5 times the diameter away from your tree. So, if your tree has a diameter of 3 feet, only cut tree roots 9-15 feet away from the tree.
2. Decide on the best next step. For your safety and for the health of your tree, you should avoid cutting tree roots if a) the roots are thicker than 2 inches wide, or b) the tree is more than 2 inches in diameter.
3. The best time to prune roots of a tree to be transplanted depends on whether you are moving it in spring or in fall. Those which will be transplanted in fall (October-November) should be pruned in summer after leaf-out. If Spring planting is desired (March-April) then root pruning should take place in late fall-early winter. Depending on tree type 6 months is usually the optimum wait time between root pruning and transplanting.

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Now, here's how to cut tree roots:

1. Determine the size of the new root ball. It should be 10 to 12 inches for each inch of trunk diameter.
2. Mark a circle around the tree that’s the width of the new root ball.
3. At least 24 hours before cutting roots, water the soil.
4. With a sharp spade, use the circle as a guide to cut into tree roots, going about a foot deep.

When it’s time to transplant, take a shovel about 5 inches outside of the circle you made for your new root ball. Then, dig around the root ball about 1 or 2 feet deep, and cut under the roots to lift the ball.

Quite a few factors determine whether or not your tree will survive root pruning, like its age, its overall health or how many roots you prune. Transplanting comes with risks, and there are no guarantee trees won’t suffer damage. But the best way to avoid a fatal cut is following best practices, including only transplanting small trees, doing the job at the right time of year, and not cutting too many roots. Perhaps the most important best practice: call an arborist if you’re not completely comfortable pruning roots on your own.

Unfortunately, there is no good rule of thumb for how many tree roots you can cut because every root system is different.

Only time will tell. If the roots are cut clean, they could regenerate new ones.

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Once you have a root ball ready to be placed in its new home, what’s next? Do you break up the root ball when planting?

Nope! In fact, you should do absolutely everything you can to keep the root ball together. To do that, make sure you have a large piece of burlap on hand when you’re about to lift the tree. Gently roll the root ball onto the burlap, tie it up, and carefully transport the tree.

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On the low end, it will be a year before your tree starts to grow again after transplanting. But often, trees need even more time than that. Some trees take 2, 3 or up to 5 years to fully recover from transplanting.

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Here is a link to one of his essays, which contains the quote "Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles."

https://archive.vcu.edu/english/engweb/transcendentalism/authors/emerson/essays/selfreliance.html