What got your attention to inspire you to go SS?

[PunkinPeep]

I'm starting a new thread after inspiration from this thread:
http://www.sufficientself.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=91835#p91835

We're not SS by any means, but we really got our eyes opened just before and during Hurricane Rita. At the time we lived in a city on the evacuation route north of Houston. We had chosen not to evacuate, and we watched the miles and miles of cars of people trying to evacuate what was expected to be a truly disastrous storm.

It was clear that no one was ready for anything like this.

My husband watched would-be customers at the gas station on the corner actually get into a fist fight over places in line for gas that was not even available - the store was closed.

And this was BEFORE the storm even hit.

We imagined that if something really happened - whatever substance hits the fan scenario - how much worse it would be with desperate people who were afraid and unprepared and panicked.

Then we realized we weren't much prepared than anyone else.

After that we got our p's and q's together and 2 years later, finally got out of the city, onto our own place, and sort of on the road to at least a semi-ss existence.

What about you?

For some it is simply environmental concerns; some foresee the shtf scenarios; some just like it better.

Please share.

 

[PamsPride]

I swear I was born with the desire to be SS! I hate the thought of having to depend everyday on someone else for my family's existance!

 

[Beekissed]

Same here, Pam! My mother and I swear we were born a hundred years too late.....

I guess my childhood of homesteading started the idea, and the fierce independence grew also from being let down by my husband and other relationships. Who needs them? I could do it myself!

I think the strong women in my family ancestry really lit a flame in me as time after time they were left high and dry by some faithless, no good male who would rather drink than work, or would work just to drink and beat on women.

So....I guess my SS lifestyle stems from so many incidents and ideas that it really can not be pinned down to a time frame or one thought.

I'm just glad that I am and that I continue to learn and grow in the lifestyle. I really have been enriched by this forum.....many, many heads are way better than one!

 

[pioneergirl]

I'm so glad you started this, as DH and I were discussing our personal reasons for going SS.

*DISCLAIMER: This is MY OPINION, and is not meant to offend anyone. I applaud any person who can do even the smallest thing for themselves. I just happen to be EXTREME in what I want*

For me, personally, if I'm going to work hard, I want it to be beneficial for my family and environment. I also feel this insatiable desire to get back to the Earth. When I planted my first garden 2 years ago, then canned it all, I felt a great sense of accomplishment. Then when I sewed my first quilt by hand, and it withstood the washing machine, I knew it was all out from there. My family (the 1 or 2 that I claim) would never believe that I could get "back to basics", and the in-laws firmly believe I am completely incompetent. So its also a matter of proving myself to them. But that would be the very last item on the list of reasons.

Anymore, I despise having to be dependent on everyone for everything. The gas station, electric company, grocery store, etc. I feel like our society is becoming more and more lazy by the day. I don't want to be lazy, I want to depend on myself, use my brain, and do things the way they were supposed to be done. If SHTF, I don't want to be worried about my survival and well being. I want to be confident that I can handle whatever comes down the pipe. Even if its nothing at all. I want the peace, solitude, and quiet that comes with the type of SS I am looking to achieve.

I want peace in my soul.

*wonders if that sounded like a canned answer for Miss America*

 

[PunkinPeep]

I doubt that miss america would ever suspect that the s could htf. so you're good.

 

[Beekissed]

*wonders if that sounded like a canned answer for Miss America*

Now THAT's a Miss America who would get my vote!!!

But....don't they just want world peace?

I agree, pioneergirl! My folks used to refer to all dependence on the utility companies and industry as being "plugged into the octopus".

 

[pioneergirl]

good to know, thanx!

 

[PunkinPeep]

My folks used to refer to all dependence on the utility companies and industry as being "plugged into the octopus".

I have to agree.

 

[dragonlaurel]

Used to camp pretty rough (SCA), and loved it. Camped when I left home too, for about a week. Have camped at 9000 feet in the Rockies, for two weeks in April. Snow was still melting. We cooked water to bathe or .

We lived off grid for a year and liked it. The only electrical stuff we used there was a small flash light and a radio.

Hurricanes- especially "Charlie" taught me that you better not count on electric or gas being available. I lived in Orlando, a huge city, almost 100 miles inland the hurricane still hit us.
Our electric was off for 10 days, and I lost a freezer full of food.
The mass transit buses didn't run for 3 days, and most local gas stations ran out. Too many power lines and trees down to walk or bicycle instead. I was stuck home taking apart 3 oak trees that used to shade the yard.

I learned that our modern conveniences are All Optional. Living simpler is very satisfying. Knowing that I came through it okay felt really good.

Not having to rely on big faceless companies to provide our food and stuff matters too. If I need to spend $, let it go to somebody I like for something that will be good quality. Saving money and having a safe, reliable supply of food is a big motivator too.

 

[FarmerChick]

I just wanted more frugal ways to save more money and to be a little less nasty to the earth.

married into alot of land and that 120 acres made me realize I could do alot to sustain myself (and save money!)

I will not go off grid.
I won't change my lifestyle too much.
I will conserve best I can.
I will try to be a better person to the earth.
I want great vacations.
I want electricity, just to flip a switch..LOL...and I won't give up alot of conveniences.

I want a medium balance of SS skills and modern convenience.
I am very close to that now. I like where I am at, now I want the workload of the farm to decrease. Getting older, getting tired now..LOL

I was stuck in a 4 day ice storm, power out and trees down and roads super dangerous. I realized that day I wanted heat and food stuffs and water supply etc. to be sure to make it thru any of those little disasters.
And I accomplished that. Now if power goes out, I can easily survive! So one mission accomplished.