7 Simple Ways to Become More Self-Sufficient at Home This Year

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We live in a fast-paced, unpredictable, and disconnected world, and for some you may be feeling a tugging to something ancient and deeply fulfilling — the desire to live simply, steward wisely, and provide for your household with your own hands. Becoming more self-sufficient isn’t just about saving money or living off the grid. It’s about being intentional, responsible, and being able to ride out hard times.

As I’ve explored this journey, I’ve discovered that self-sufficiency at home is possible one small step at a time. Let’s walk through some simple ways we can grow in self-sufficiency this year — physically, spiritually, and even emotionally — right where we are.

What Is Self-Sufficiency and Homesteading?

Self-sufficiency is the ability to meet more of your own needs such as; your food, water, energy, and basic care — without always depending on stores, systems, or others. Homesteading is a lifestyle that often includes gardening, preserving food, raising animals, collecting rainwater, and learning ‘old-fashioned’ skills like sewing or soap-making. 

You don’t need a farm or acres of land to start homesteading. You can live a self-sufficient lifestyle in a city apartment or a suburban backyard. It begins with the mindset that says, “I can learn, I can grow, and I can prepare.”

..That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing,1 Thessalonians 4:11-12. 

What Self-Sufficiency Is Not

Let’s be clear: self-sufficiency doesn’t mean we live without God or community. The Bible reminds us over and over that we are called to depend on the Lord and support one another, not live in complete isolation.

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing, John 15:5. 

We weren’t created to be completely independent of God or people. True self-sufficiency is rooted in stewardship, not pride or fear. It’s about being prepared so that we can be a blessing, not a burden — especially in uncertain times.

1. Start a Small Garden (Even If It’s Just in Pots)

You’d be amazed how much food you can grow in a few containers on your porch or windowsill. Herbs, lettuce, tomatoes, and even root vegetables can thrive in small spaces.

Gardening helps us reconnect with creation, appreciate food more deeply, waste less and become less dependent on store shelves.

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it, Genesis 2:15. 

Start with easy-to-grow plants like basil, green onions, or cherry tomatoes. Choose heirloom seeds when possible — they’re often more resilient and can be saved for the next season. Look into different seed saving methods.

2. Store and Purify Your Own Water

Clean water is one of the most vital aspects of self-sufficiency. Whether you’re preparing for emergencies or simply trying to be more sustainable, storing and purifying water at home is essential.

You can start by storing tap water in food-grade containers or investing in rain barrels to collect rainwater for your garden (where permitted). Water purification methods — like using Berkey filters, boiling, or water purification tablets, can keep your household safe in case of water outages.

Living in a hot climate has made it apparent to us that preparing for seasons of drought is a must and having gone through water problems (weeks of no running water, then weeks of water only once/twice a week) we’ve learnt so much.

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation, Isaiah 12:3. 

The standard FEMA recommendation is to keep at least a 3-day supply of drinking water per person (1 Gal a day) for evacuation in an emergency and a two week supply for home. Add purification tablets or filters to your emergency kit and research how to purify water without electricity.

3. Learn to Preserve Food at Home

Food preservation isn’t just for old-school grandmas. Canning, fermenting, freezing, and dehydrating are practical ways to reduce waste, save money, and build up your home pantry.

Imagine turning your backyard tomatoes into jars of homemade sauce, or preserving mangoes into shelf-stable fruit leather!

Although we haven’t gotten into canning yet we’ve preserved a tree full of cherries in a number of ways such as; making jam, making syrup and freezing whole to snack on for hot days.

Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest, Proverbs 6:6-8. 

If you’re able, start with water-bath canning for things like jams and pickles. It’s easier than you think, and YouTube is full of beginner-friendly guides.

4. Learn One New “Old-Fashioned” Skill

Sewing a button, baking bread, making herbal remedies, fixing a leaky faucet — these are the kinds of skills that build confidence and reduce dependence on outside services.

I’ve tried many bread recipes. I don’t know if it’s the ingredients, the humidity or just my beginner skills but I can never get it to my liking. However, in a pinch I’ve been able to make sandwich bread, hot dog buns, baguettes and even donuts. This kept us fed when it was often more affordable to keep raw bread making ingredients on hand in bulk, rather than buying the store bought bread all the time. 

The picture you’re looking at above was the night my sons’ ‘pizza bread’ was born. It was homemade baguettes that went a little pear shaped, freestyle pizza sauce, all the cheese we had left and some chicken frankfurters. D – for presentation and a A** for taste.

#foodie #unforgettablebites #pickyeaters #throwbackeats

Remember that It’s okay to not be a pro at the skill, just get to a point of being able to use it to get the job done. 

She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands, Proverbs 31:13.

You don’t have to master everything at once. Choose one area to grow in, and let it become a fun (and useful!) part of your lifestyle. Make a list of skills you’d like to learn this year. Choose one per month to try. Invite your children or spouse to learn with you — it’s a great way to bond while building resilience.

5. Reduce Household Waste

A self-sufficient home doesn’t waste much. Composting kitchen scraps, reusing containers, and switching to reusable items like cloth towels instead of paper ones are simple changes with big impact.

Less waste means fewer trips to the store, less money spent, and more intentional living.

Set up a compost bucket on your counter or balcony. It doesn’t have to be fancy! Even apartment dwellers can compost with small indoor bins or community garden drop-offs.

6. Create a Simple Emergency Preparedness Plan

Being self-sufficient also means being ready for the unexpected. Whether it’s a storm, power outage, or supply chain delay, having basic supplies at home brings peace of mind.

Stock up on non-perishable foods, flashlights, batteries, and a small first-aid kit. Keep a printed list of emergency contacts and a Bible close at hand.

Hurricane Beryl was no joke, maybe one day when I’ve recovered from it, I’ll tell the story, however just hear when I say preparing properly for emergencies isn’t just for ‘doomsday preppers’, it’s for everyone.

The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it, Proverbs 22:3.

Practice a “no-spend weekend” where you try living off of what you’ve stored. It’s a great way to test your readiness and discover any gaps in your preparedness plan. 

If you’re feeling even more adventurous, spend some time building up a small supply and joining the no spend pantry challenge. Each year, I watch the YouTube homesteading community come together to not spend on groceries/household items from January to February (outside of fresh food), and see where the gaps in their food supply is whilst using up what would have gone to waste.

7. Build Community as You Grow

You don’t have to do this alone — and you shouldn’t. As we grow in self-sufficiency, we also grow in interdependence with a healthy community. Share seeds, trade skills, swap preserves, pray together.

Isolation weakens. Connection multiplies. We were designed to thrive in relationships, especially in these times.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor, Ecclesiastes 4:9.

Host a community skills night or start a garden swap group with neighbors, church members, or online homesteading friends. You’ll gain both knowledge and relationships.

Stewardship Over Self-Reliance

Self-sufficiency at home is less about “doing it all” and more about becoming a wise, prayerful steward of what God has given us. It’s about learning to rely on His provision, even as we grow our own.

Start with one small habit this week — plant a seed, store some water, mend a sock, or prepare an emergency bag. Each step you take builds peace and confidence especially in times of trouble.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the ground where you are going, Ecclesiastes 9:10.

Ask God to reveal what area of your life He wants you to steward better — whether it’s food, finances, your home, or even your heart. Invite Him into every step of your self-sufficiency journey.