Primitive or Prepared?

Well, that happened fast! We’re almost a month into the new year. Things have been a little crazy here for our final weeks at Green Acre. The temps have been COLD, like really bitter, hurt your bones cold. Danny nearly sliced his finger off on New Year’s eve while we were at the ranch. There was even a week where there was no water, luckily we’re on a well, but I can only imagine the struggle for those that had to go without. 

So that got me thinking…how can we prepare to retain these "primitive" skills with our modern day lifestyles? Our homes aren’t built for cooking over wood, or boiling large pots of water to bathe. But the fact of the matter is that this was the reality for most people until relatively recent times when you think about the whole span of human existence. We have to take a step back and think about our basic needs. Food, water, shelter. That’s it. Yes, companionship, entertainment, fresh air, sunshine, all of that stuff is great, but without those first three, we never get to enjoy those other things. 

Over the years, we’ve purposefully pared down on a lot of things. No TV, no microwave, mostly secondhand clothes and furniture, living a life full of experiences rather than things. Investing in things that make our lives at home more full and meaningful, gardens, orchards, animals, a small above ground pool, enjoying nearby parks and trails. We spend our money on things that allow us to invest in our overall happiness. This looks different for everyone, but we really dial it in, getting back to the basics, getting back to the things that allow us at times to reconnect with more "primitive" ways makes a huge difference in how we feel when faced with uncomfortable situations. 

While I certainly don’t claim to be a prepper, I do like to be prepared. We have an outhouse in our backyard that we can use if the pipes freeze or we have a septic issue and an old well that we no longer use as our main water source, but can be used to fill buckets of water if needed. All of our outdoor cooking is done over a large woodfired pit rather than a charcoal or propane grill. While, not always necessary, I can whip up just about any body or household product we need from stored herbs, homemade vinegars, and the bi-products of our own animals. I keep a stash of non perishables just incase and stock up when things are on sale. My previous EMT experience allowed me to keep Danny from getting an infection in his finger with alcohol, honey, and a few strips of gauze when all of the urgent care centers were closed on a holiday. 

You can probably see where I'm going with this. It doesn’t take much. By opting out of convenience at every corner, we allow ourselves to handle some of these more challenging times without even thinking. Without even having to prepare because we already have everything we need. As you continue on your journey, dream about the future, or take time to ponder what’s best for you. Don’t forget that sometimes having the option to do things the hard way pays off!