Living Alone: Practical Tips for Self-Sufficiency in the Woods

Living alone in the woods can be a peaceful and quiet life, but it also requires a certain level of self-sufficiency and preparedness. As someone who has lived on my 9.5 acres of wooded property for the last few years, I have picked up practical knowledge that has helped me navigate the challenges of this lifestyle. Here are some insights that may assist you in your own journey towards self-sufficiency in the woods.

My cabin in summer.

First and foremost, it is essential to prioritize safety. Make sure you have a well-stocked first aid kit, know basic survival skills, and have a reliable means of communication in case of emergencies. As much as you'd like to leave your cell phone in the cabin, please keep it with you. I've used my cell to help me navigate my own acreage. One app that I find quite useful is OnXHunt. It lets me know if I'm still on my property or if I've wandered a little off-course. I was able to drop pins on the map to locate my surveyed corner pins, my cabin, and my bench at the forest brook, etc. It has become apparent to me that without the sun to guide me as to direction, I can't find my way out of a paperbag on my own damn property. My woods are stunning beautiful, but some areas look like other areas. Familiarize yourself with local wildlife and plants, and always be cautious when venturing into unfamiliar territory.

Being up here, you're not near any of the modern conveniences. The grocery store and fast food is 25 minutes away. Home Depot is 50 minutes away. The closest Walmart is 45 minutes away. I store ingredients, to make meals from scratch, in mason jars to keep out the occasional mouse that finds its way into the cabin. Pantry staples are the basis of most all meals, along with "backyard" eggs, and sourdough starter/discard. Mason jars are also the best way to keep food fresh. I also have a freezer in the barn for meats, butter, berries, etc. For my health and for my budget, I have transitioned to making all my food from scratch. It is quite rare that I make processed, prepackaged convenience foods. And let me tell you, the change in how I feel has been fantastic. I am constantly challenging myself to find a way to make any prepackaged or processed food from scratch with organic or healthier ingredients.

The weather can turn windy or rainy quickly and the electricity goes out on occasion. Best way to be ready for that is a generator (dual fuel gives you options) or a solar generator. It's also good to have solar flashlights, solar batterpacks, solar lanterns. A headlamp up here at night is a godsend, either rechargeable to battery. Candles are a must. (A post will be forthcoming soon for making beeswax candles in mason jars.)

When it comes to food, cooking from scratch is not only a way to save money but also a way to connect with the land around you. Coming from Sicilian relatives, I was taught well about things like Dandelion Green Salad in Spring. This salad is so simple and so delicious with the tender spring dandelion leaves, rinsed three times, then tossed with a good-quality salt (I use Remond Real Salt), fresh ground pepper, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh squeezed lemon juicde. I turn my day-old homemade sourdough bread into croutons and breadcrumbs. Nothing goes to waste.

Ramps (also known as wild onions or wild leeks) are available in my woods for only about two weeks in the month of May, before the leaves come out on the trees.

Also, in my area, there are two short weeks in the month of May before the leaves pop on the trees, where I can dig up and saute ramps "wild onions" and add them to my special Pantry Pasta. There are other edible forest plants as well, such as stinging nettle along the edges of the woods and an edible mushroom, called "chicken of the woods." Foraging for wild edibles is a valuable skill, but make sure to properly identify plants before consuming them.

Besides my hens providing me with eggs, I plant a small garden to provide myself with some fresh produce throughout the growing season, while preserving techniques such as canning, pickling, and fermenting help me make the most of the harvest. I am also lucky enough to have local farmers and local Amish to get produce from, that I don't grow, and raw milk. I also get organic grocery items at a great price from Azure Standard. (I'll explain the benefits of Azure Standard in a future post.)

My hens provide me with eggs.

In terms of everyday living, it's important to be resourceful and creative. Repurposing items and making do with what you have are all part of a self-sufficient lifestyle. My contractor laughs at me because I scavenge all the lumber scraps when he builds me something and store them in my barn.

Wood Shed made from pallets and a piece of metal roofing. Price: free.

Admittedly, I don't have basic carpentry, plumbing, well digging, and electrical skills but have found some trusted tradesman that have helped me and taught me things. When you find a great blue collar worker, value them. They can help you with the big projects when maintaining your home and property. A tree professional, a person that plows snow if your snowblower lost the battle with the latest four feet of fallen snow are also so valuable. Hoping to get a small tractor to move snow, logs, etc., someday.

Another aspect of living alone in the woods that shouldn't be overlooked is your emotional and mental well-being. Spending time in nature can be incredibly therapeutic, but it's also important to stay connected with friends and family, both in-person and virtually. Engaging in hobbies, such as gardening, quilting, reading, and cooking for loved ones, can also help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation. For myself, I've found I'm quite active, busy, and social in summer. Then winter comes, and there is a complete turnaround for me that I have to work on. I can become depressed with the gray days and sedentariness (outside of snow blowing) over the long winter and frequent snow storms. Thankfully, I have my three dogs, two cats, and flock of hens to give me purpose. But winter is a very tough time for me.

Ultimately, living self-sufficiently in the woods is a unique and rewarding experience that requires a combination of learned practical skills, some creativity, and resilience. By embracing the challenges and opportunities that come with this life, you can cultivate a deep sense of independence and connection to the natural world around you.