Self-Sufficiency Is a Lifestyle, Not a Destination

When I say “set apart living,” I’m talking about more than just gardening or having some chickens. It’s a whole lifestyle that can include homeschooling, raising livestock, natural remedies, and living with intention.

But here’s what I want you to remember: self-sufficiency is a lifestyle, it isn’t about perfection. It’s not about waking up tomorrow and suddenly producing 100% of your own food. It’s about progress, not perfection.

It’s a mindset. You build it little by little with daily consistency. One step at a time.

Step One: Get Your Finances in Order

Finance doesn’t get talked about enough in the homesteading world. If you don’t have your money in order, you’re going to struggle to move forward.

That doesn’t mean you need to be rich. What it means is you need to know where your money is going. Audit your spending. 

Cut the things that aren’t serving you. Maybe it’s subscriptions you don’t use, or eating out too often. That money could go toward seeds, jars, or a good water filter.

Self-sufficiency requires sacrifice. You might not be able to buy the latest gadget or splurge on a fancy vacation. But when you redirect that money toward building your future, the reward is so much greater.

Simplify your life. Live below your means. That’s where freedom comes from.

Step Two: Plug Into Your Community

Here’s the deal: self-sufficiency doesn’t mean isolation. You’re not supposed to do everything alone.

There are incredible resources in your local community if you just take the time to look. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs are a great example—you pay a farmer upfront and get a box of fresh, local food every week. 

Farmers' markets are another goldmine. Not only do you get healthy food, but you also get to build relationships with the people who grow it.

And don’t underestimate the power of networking. Talk to your butcher. Join a co-op. Check out Facebook Marketplace. 

Join the Free Tier 1 Facebook group and be part of a like-minded community sharing, praying, and growing together in real-time.

Ask if local farmers need help; you might be surprised how willing people are to let you come learn on their land in exchange for some work.

This isn’t just about food. It’s about building a community that can support you and that you can support in return.

Step Three: Grow Where You Are

I hear it all the time: “I’ll start when I get some land.” Or “I don’t have space to grow food.”

Let me stop you right there. You don’t need 10 acres to grow something meaningful.

You can grow food in a 5-gallon bucket on your balcony. You can build a raised bed in a small backyard. You can set up a vertical garden against a wall. You can even grow herbs on your kitchen windowsill.

And if your city allows it? A few backyard chickens will change your life. Two or three hens can give you fresh eggs every day and provide manure for compost. That’s food security on a small scale.

The point is this: start with what you eat. Don’t grow fancy crops just because they look cool on Instagram. Grow lettuce if you eat salads. Grow peppers if you cook with them. Grow herbs you’ll actually use.

Start small, but start.

Step Four: Buy in Bulk, Preserve for the Future

Self-sufficiency isn’t just about growing food; it’s also about managing food wisely. And one of the best ways to do that is by buying staples in bulk and learning how to preserve them.

Rice, oats, beans, and flour are affordable, filling, and versatile. When you buy them in bulk, you save money and cut down on endless trips to the grocery store. Look at unit prices, not package prices. Sometimes the “fancy” label is just that, a label.

And then there’s preservation. Freezing, canning, dehydrating, and fermenting aren’t old-fashioned chores; they’re life skills. They give you food security and peace of mind.

You don’t need to learn them all at once. Start with one. Maybe it’s freezing extra vegetables this season. Maybe it’s water-bath canning jam. Build slowly.

Mindset: The Real Foundation

At the end of the day, it comes back to mindset. You can have all the books, seeds, and tools in the world, but if you’re not committed to showing up consistently, you won’t get far.

Self-sufficiency is about sacrifice. It’s about saying no to convenience to say yes to freedom. It’s about choosing discipline over excuses.

No acreage? No problem. Limited funds? Start with what you can. Overwhelmed? Break it down into one step at a time.

Your Next Step

Here’s your challenge: take one action today. Not tomorrow. Today.

• Audit your spending and cancel one unnecessary expense.

• Reach out to a local farmer, butcher, or co-op.

• Buy one staple in bulk.

• Plant something—anything—even if it’s just herbs on a windowsill.

One small step. That’s how you start living set apart.

Final Word

Self-sufficiency is not about having acres of land or the perfect setup. It’s about starting where you are, with what you have, and building day by day.

No acreage. No excuses.

If you want this life badly enough, you’ll find a way. Start small. Stay consistent. Build community. And never forget your why.

Because this isn’t just about food or money, it’s about freedom.

That’s why we created the Set Apart Tribe, a community designed to help you start small, build skills, and grow into your own definition of self-sufficiency with support and accountability.

Membership Benefits:

• Free Tier 1 Facebook group- Be part of a like-minded community sharing, praying, and growing together in real-time.

• The Set Apart Tribe ($35/mo) – for Early YouTube access , exclusive overflow content, by- weekly Q&As’ monthly giveaways and 5% merch discount.

• Growth Circle ($200/mo) – Receive All Tribe benefits ,Bi-monthly group coaching (2-hour sessions), Digital product library and 20% merch discount

• Legacy Level ($600/mo)– Get All Growth Circle benefits, Two 1-on-1 monthly coaching calls 40% merch discount.

And while you’re at it, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter (for updates + free monthly T-shirt giveaway) and follow us on YouTube and Instagram to see the daily realities of self-sufficient living.