When going off grid, living in the woods, desert, snow, or whatever your environment is, there is one constant, and that is yourself. The landscape around you may change. The seasons will most definitely change. Your area may go through drought, fire, flood, earthquake, tornado. So many things are beyond our control. But what we can control is our own strength and knowledge about how to survive in our environment. How to build with what we have. How to make a homestead and be self-sufficient.
I have been an off-grid dweller for one year now. Although previously, my line of work took me off grid most times, so I had some time to get use to being outside, in the forest or prairie or desert, with little to no amenities but what was in the truck.
Not only am I an off-grid dweller, but I am now doing it alone to some recent unfortunate circumstances between my partner and I. That partnership is no longer there, and I have to make the choice to get on with it.
So, I am sitting here, tallying up my strengths and weaknesses to know what and where I need to focus my attention.
When you are in a partnership and homesteading, one person's shortcomings are usually the other person's strengths - and no, that is not a short joke.
When it comes to tackling a homestead by oneself, you have to really evaluate your deficiencies, and not in a way of beating yourself up, but in a way to lift yourself up.
What are my strengths?
I have an ability to understand complex systems. Things like quantum physics, innards of computers, geology, all kind of click in my head. I have a high IQ in this way. This is likely due to my personality type which is one of the rarest in the world especially for females, the INTJ. If you haven't done the 16 personalities evaluation, I do recommend it.
I am very comfortable in nature. I am very comfortable being alone in nature. I tend to hike by myself, for many miles. I rockhound, metal detect, explore all by myself and I have done this for the majority of my life. As a child, I would venture into the forest by myself for hours. I gave my parents a few scares. It is a big part of who I am.
Here I am on one of my multi-mile hikes in the backcountry.
I have a dark green thumb. I can grow plants. I can read them, what they need. I plant a seed, it grows. I also have a really good ability to identify plants, trees, rocks. I am a child of nature it seems.
I don't feel the need for modern conveniences. Living without plumbing, inside bathroom, microwave, is not a fear or detriment to me. I think a lot of people would be very uncomfortable without modern day conveniences, but I do not feel so affected by the lack thereof.
What are my weaknesses?
I can understand complex systems, but I tend to overlook the simple stuff. It is a strange tradeoff. I have this way of overlooking what is right in front of my face, and sometimes I have a problem adding 2+2. But I get the mechanics of black holes. Go figure.
I have low mechanical knowledge. Small engine repair, power tools, building. I think I have the capacity to learn in this department, I just never have.
My observational skills could use an increase. I need to take more time and evaluate my surroundings, read the signs, put 2 and 2 together. I know I am capable of this, but its a matter of slowing down. It is a component missing in my personality score, as I tend to work more from intuition than observation.
I am not weak, but I am not strong. I have the physical capacity for an athletic body type. I have the skeletal system and mass to develop a good amount of muscle, but I have been too busy baking bread pudding for the holidays. Now, my priorities have changed and I really need to focus on my fitness levels.
My self sufficiency strengths and weaknesses:
I do not understand electricity and I do not understand my solar power system. However, due to my complex systems learning capacity, it is something I can and will learn as long as I take the time to do so.
I have a deep knowledge of off grid water systems. Thanks to the website I have built, https://www.maximumoffgrid.com, I have taken a very deep dive to understand water, how it works, and how to build systems.
I do have a decent knowledge of waste management, composting, how things break down. This is an often overlooked topic that really needs more attention.
Although I understand plants and growing, I do not have a good knowledge of farming, farming equipment, and husbandry.
I think that is enough for my brain to mull over for a while. Now, it is back to work building up my she-shed shelter!
Regina
