Complete independence is the only option.
That’s what Thomas Paine believed, anyway. In Common Sense—his aptly named pamphlet that rocked the Colonies in the start of 1776—he proposed breaking away from Britain in pursuit of full freedom.
The American Revolution raged on, and months later, Paine’s proposal was no longer an impassioned idea; the Colonies stood on their own!
In the 250 years since, independence has remained an American ideal—not just as a unified nation, but as unique citizens, too.
Despite that constant that connects us to our past, a lot has changed. America then is, in almost all ways, much different than America now.
From living standards to transportation methods, food production to medical advancements, technological developments to work opportunities—the Founding Fathers would be stunned to see how much their country has changed!
So, in such an evolved society, what difference does self-reliance really make? In an independent, powerful nation where comfort and convenience can be found around every corner, is self-reliance still important?
Let’s find out.
Convenience Comes at a Cost
Over time, American life has gotten a lot easier!
We’ve traded horse-drawn wagons for cars, outhouses for bathrooms, and washboards for washing machines. We’ve developed treatments for once-fatal diseases, mass food distribution, and the internet.
In general, the things we need to survive are not difficult to get.
We don’t have to grow our own food or suffer if the weather wrecked our crops. We can dash to the store and pick up a meal, even if the ingredients are out of season.
We don’t have to carry weighty buckets of water from a creek, river, or well. We can turn a knob on a faucet and fill a tub, glass, or sink in an instant.
We don’t have to wait for weeks to hear about current events, or receive a letter from a loved one. We can access all the information we could ever need—and contact just about anyone—through a device that fits in the palms of our hands.
The trouble is, these incredible improvements are often dependent on unstable systems:
- Access to power relies on a functioning power grid.
- Water can become contaminated or scarce.
- Driving a vehicle is not possible without gasoline, which is largely imported from foreign nations. (While electric cars are exempt, they still need a charge—check out that first bullet point again!)
- Access to food depends on a number of factors, such as the cost of farming supplies and shipping transportation.
- The internet drops in a power outage. (And when it works, it can be intercepted.)
- Electronic recordkeeping, like that of financial institutions or medical centers, is at risk of hacks and cyberattacks, putting access to your own money and medical care in jeopardy.
The list goes on and on.
What makes these systems unstable is, primarily, how easily they can be disrupted. It doesn’t take much to leave a lasting impact:
- Issues within the supply chain.
- Trouble with customs, shipping, or transportation.
- Short-term and long-term power outages.
- Aging, failing, or otherwise inadequate infrastructure.
- Severe storms, extreme weather conditions, and natural disasters.
- The health of the economy.
- Local, national, and international politics.
- Shortages or restrictions of resources.
- Positive and negative international relations.
Even brief interruptions can create significant barriers in accessing the things we want and need.
The cost of convenience is being vulnerable to that same convenience getting stripped away without warning.
Do you want to take that chance?
No One Can Take These Away
While modern conveniences can be pulled from underneath us at a moment’s notice, that’s no reason to feel hopeless about the future!
You see, there are numerous resources you can count on that no one can take away—and they don’t depend on shaky systems with interwoven variables.
Your Supply
If your routines, as well as the items you use every day, are reliant upon factors such as electric power or natural gas, then you’re not as independent as you think.
The second disaster strikes, how dramatically will you need to adjust those routines? How many of those items will become useless?
Building a personal supply of food, water, and gear that lasts the ages, and can be used in all conditions, is the only path to genuine independence.
What should this supply include?
- A variety of shelf-stable foods that can be prepared without additional, perishable ingredients.
- Cooking tools that can heat foods when the oven is out of commission.
- Potable water for cleaning and drinking when standard water sources are contaminated or cut off.
- A solar-powered generator or power bank to support any necessary appliances, tools, and devices during a power outage.
- Alternate light sources to keep the lights on when the power’s out.
- Heating solutions that can be fueled by fire and alternate sources during cold nights without natural gas.
These alternatives will allow you to live freely when modern conveniences fail.
For a more comprehensive list of what your personal supply should contain, check out this article.
Your Knowledge
Though essential, a supply alone is not enough to sustain your survival.
If you don’t know how to use the gear you’ve got, what good does it do to stockpile it?
Pursuing real independence requires more than a stash of reliable supplies; this pursuit pushes you to keep tabs on current events, investigate how everyday items and systems work, and develop survival skills, among other things.
Consider how liberating it would be to have the know-how to support yourself when systems collapse—all stored in your head, no internet needed!
Add this information to your mental reference manual:
- How to hunt and fish, as well as how to preserve and prepare meat.
- How to cook and bake without power.
- How to collect, store, and purify water.
- How to administer first aid in an emergency.
- How to plant seeds, care for plants, and harvest foods from your own garden.
- How to forage for food in wilderness areas.
- How to operate a generator when the power is out.
- How to repurpose old supplies and find alternate uses for supplies.
The knowledge you obtain as you seek independence from instability may end up being more useful than anything else you collect—and no one can take it away from you.
Relying exclusively on your personal supply and fundamental knowledge in an uncertain situation?
That is true freedom, right there!
Preparedness Unifies Us
The essence of independence is being able to stand on your own two feet. You don’t need to lean on anyone else; you can sustain yourself.
While this is an important part of preparedness, you don’t have to bear the burden alone.
Think about your family, friends, and neighbors. Where are they in their pursuit for independence? What can you do to help them?
How can they help you in return?
Preparing for the possibility of disrupted systems brings together and strengthens families and communities. Take advantage of the opportunity to connect, share tips and resources, and support one another along the way.
Joining together for a common cause—the spirit of the American Revolution!
Final Thoughts
So, does self-reliance still matter in modern America?
We certainly think so!
Even in a strong and advanced nation as ours, no system is entirely reliable. Our standard of living and access to everyday conveniences can change in the blink of an eye.
When that happens, how independent will you be?
Check in with The Essentials Blog each week for expert education, tips, and resources to make your shift to self-reliance as smooth as possible!
