
Attainable Sustainable
Kris Bordessa
What's inside?
Discover the forgotten skills of self-reliance and sustainable living, and learn how to apply them in your modern life to achieve a more environmentally friendly and self-sufficient lifestyle.
You'll learn
Key points
01The Importance and Evolution of Self-Reliance
Ever found yourself in a pickle because you couldn't fix a leaky faucet or sew a button back onto your favorite shirt? It's a common predicament in our modern world, where we've become so accustomed to outsourcing even the simplest tasks. This is where the concept of self-reliance comes into play. It's like being a Swiss Army knife in a world full of specialized tools. It's about having a broad set of skills that allow you to navigate life's challenges independently and efficiently. Choosing a self-reliant lifestyle is like choosing to be the captain of your own ship. You're not just a passenger, relying on others to steer you through life. Instead, you're at the helm, charting your own course and dealing with whatever storms may come your way. The benefits of self-reliance are manifold. Financial independence is a big one. When you can do things for yourself, you're not constantly shelling out money to others to do them for you. But it's not just about money. Self-reliance also promotes sustainability. By doing things yourself, you can often use fewer resources and create less waste. Plus, it encourages a healthier lifestyle. When you grow your own food or walk or bike instead of driving, you're not just saving money and helping the planet, you're also improving your health. But despite these benefits, self-reliance has become something of a lost art in our modern society. We live in a world of convenience, where everything is just a click or a phone call away. This consumer culture has made life easier in many ways, but it's also made us more dependent on others and less connected to basic skills and knowledge. Once upon a time, self-reliance was a given. People grew their own food, made their own clothes, and built their own homes. But with the advent of industrialization and modern technology, many of these skills have become obsolete. We've traded self-reliance for convenience, and in the process, we've lost something valuable. But all is not lost. Self-reliance is still relevant and necessary today, perhaps more so than ever. As we face global challenges like climate change and economic instability, the ability to be self-reliant—to grow our own food, fix our own things, take care of our own health—becomes increasingly important. It's time to reclaim these lost skills and knowledge. It's time to regain control over our lives, improve our well-being, and contribute to a more sustainable future. And it starts with each of us, in our own lives, making the choice to be more self-reliant. So, as we navigate this complex, interconnected world, let's not forget the importance of being able to stand on our own two feet. Let's remember the value of self-reliance, not just for our own sake, but for the sake of our planet and future generations.
02"Principles of Sustainable Living: A Practical Guide"
Ever wondered how your daily habits could contribute to a healthier planet? It's not as far-fetched as it might seem. In fact, the choices we make every day, from the food we eat to the products we use, can have a significant impact on our environment. This article aims to explore practical ways to live more sustainably, focusing on reducing waste, conserving resources, making environmentally friendly choices, and implementing sustainable living principles. Let's start with the idea of reducing waste. It's a simple concept, but one that can have a profound impact on our planet. By reducing the amount of waste we produce, we can help to conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and even save money. Practical tips for reducing waste include using reusable shopping bags instead of disposable ones, composting organic waste instead of sending it to the landfill, and choosing products with minimal packaging. These small changes can add up to a big difference over time. Next, let's consider the role of resource conservation in sustainable living. This involves using our natural resources wisely and efficiently, to ensure that they last for future generations. Strategies for conserving resources include using energy-efficient appliances, which can reduce electricity consumption, and harvesting rainwater for use in the garden, which can save water. By adopting these strategies, we can help to reduce our environmental footprint and live more sustainably. Making environmentally friendly choices is another key aspect of sustainable living. This means choosing products and services that are good for the environment, such as organic food, which is grown without harmful pesticides, and natural cleaning products, which are free from harsh chemicals. By making these choices, we can support businesses that prioritize sustainability and help to create a healthier planet. Finally, implementing sustainable living principles is about putting these ideas into practice in our daily lives. This can be as simple as starting small, with one or two changes, and gradually adding more as we become more comfortable with this new way of living. For example, we might start by composting our kitchen scraps, then move on to using reusable shopping bags, and eventually aim to produce zero waste. The key is to make sustainable living a habit, rather than a chore. In conclusion, sustainable living is not just about doing what's good for the environment. It's also about doing what's good for us, as individuals and as a society. By reducing waste, conserving resources, making environmentally friendly choices, and implementing sustainable living principles, we can help to create a healthier, more sustainable world. So why not start your journey towards sustainable living today? It's easier than you might think, and the benefits are well worth the effort.

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03Your comprehensive guide to starting a home garden
04How to preserve and cook your homegrown produce?
05How to make your own home and personal care products?
06How to create a sustainable home?
07"Embracing Community and Sustainability: A Guide to Minimalist Living"
08Conclusion
About Kris Bordessa
Kris Bordessa is an author and sustainability advocate known for her practical approach to self-reliant living. She shares her knowledge on homesteading, gardening, and DIY projects through her blog, "Attainable Sustainable," and her book of the same name. Bordessa resides in Hawaii.