The Campfire Trail: January 7 - DIY Homestead

January 7, 2023

Day 463 of the Adventure

Self-defense is a "countermeasure that involves defending the health and well-being of oneself from harm." Economic Self-Defense would be the same thing just focused on countering the economic forces causing us harm. I've never found myself standing in a "soup-line", but I have found myself in the past, standing in line to receive government commodities. It's been a long time ago and honestly, not something that sat with me very well. Some call it pride, and maybe that's it. Not from the embarrassment of receiving hand-outs. It felt more like a judgement of me not being able to provide adequately for my young family. It was an experience that I vowed to myself I would never repeat. There was a sense of helplessness that went with it that I personally did not like. Of course, everyone is different in that regard, and I don't mean to judge anyone for deciding what they decide and doing what they do. I get that it's a safety net meant to prevent people for going hungry. It certainly did that for us for a short time. The part that frightens me about it though is when it becomes part of a routine of survival. A routine that feels normal and a part of normal life. Which is true for any outside subsistence. When we allow ourselves to cling to and rely on the very last option for survival, what happens when and if that option disappears? I feel like everything our economy is hitting us with right now is slowly beating us down to the point where we are slowing losing a grip on our self-sustainability. Those who are strapping on the self-defense skills of frugal living and self-reliance are likely staying ahead of that downward economic push. Unfortunately, I see many of my friends who are beginning to struggle with the pressures of high prices and greater economic strain. I guess it remains to be seen exactly how this all plays out. Having been near the bottom of the basic survival lifestyle once, I don't personally want to find myself there ever again. Until you've looked at your situation and wondered "What happens if.........", you really don't realize how desperate things can get if one more platform of support collapses and fails.

Economic Self-Defense is a term we should all be thinking about, even if it's just in the background of our sub-conscious thought. Something that keeps us ever aware of the possibilities of "What If?"

Carry On

Adventure Quote: “No one can tell what goes on in between the person you were and the person you become. No one can chart that blue and lonely section of [life]. There are no maps of the change. You just come out the other side.........Or you don't.” ― Stephen King

Base Camp Coffee of the Day: Highlander Grogg (Butterscotch/Rum flavors)

SNEAK PEEK of our Upcoming OFF-GRID project

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