The number of skills and knowledge we learn when living a more sustainable and zero waste lifestyle is endless. It’s one of the best advantages when you don’t count the benefits to our planet and our well-being, of course.
There is so much creativity and resourcefulness in finding new purposes for items or food that we have at home instead of constantly going out to buy new things. It’s a bit difficult at first to wrap your head around it, but once you’ve done it a few times over, it becomes second nature, and it’s a process that is enjoyable!
There’s also a certain curiosity to learn more about all things in-depth, which is what continually motivates us to learn new skills. Sewing to repair or create new garments. Cooking to bake all kinds of new meals. Horticulture to make your own garden and maintain it. Chemistry to learn how to make your own make-up, your home cleaning products. Carpentry skills when it’s time to spruce up a piece of furniture instead of throwing it out, etc.
The more you master these skills and fill your soul with knowledge, the more proud of yourself you will be; this feeds your need to keep on learning. And that is how you slowly become more and more independent.
Why is it so important though?
It’s scary to see how easily people can give in to the panic in times of crisis. There is no judgement here, nor are we trying to minimize the state of this situation, but rather find ways to be less dependent of these stores if ever there was an actual crisis (which will most likely happen due to global warming*.)
No more toilet paper? Use facecloths or any piece of tissue, really!
No more cleaning supplies? Make it at home with that’s in your pantry!
Are you missing one ingredient to make that recipe? Just wing it, tap deep into that creativity and replace it with that you have on hand!
Trying to keep the kids busy? Make your own non-toxic paint so they can be creative and have fun (for our recipe watch this video)
You get what we’re saying?
We aren’t talking about becoming entirely self-sufficient here, since it’s not doable for many of us. But mostly to learn the basics, how to function properly at home in an independent way, just like people used to in the olden days. Developing those skills and making sure you learn them all before they are forgotten are incredibly important. That knowledge will give you confidence, and there is no price for that.
*We highly recommend the article “Les savoir-faire de nos grand-parents » from Beside Magazine on the subject. What better time than now to call them up and see how things are going, and ask them to talk about something you’d like to learn from them. Many things can be made at home, like your own bread, your own paint at home etc. We’ve lost the reflex to make it ourselves first.
I’ve evaluated our situation, and in the hopes of being better at this, to further reduce my environmental impact, my challenge for this year will be to grow the size of my garden even more. So I can reap a lot more fruits and vegetables to be stored for the winter or any kind of emergencies. It won’t save me from contracting the virus, but it will mean I won’t have to run to the store for food.
Knowledge is power, and what better situation than a crisis to learn and grow from.
Take time to be with your families, create memories, try out new recipes, read, play outside etc.!
Do what you never have time to do when time escapes you. This is the time more than ever to adjust and change our habits!
Ps. Our book Minimal is filled with recipes and DIY to make at home !
