7 Habits to Cultivate for Off-Grid & More Sustainable Living

It's currently a blistering hot day here in the desert, with temperatures reaching 103 degrees. I thought it would be a good idea to update you all on our off-grid property and share some fun tips as I'm happily committed to staying inside today.

Since July 2024, we have completed our foundation, home delivery, and electrical installation. We're planning to install our water tank and greywater system by the end of July.

Today, I wanted to share with you all some tips for anyone considering going off-grid or building more sustainable habits. These are great things to consider when embarking on the adventure of off-gridding, homesteading, or sustainable living. I hope these are helpful for you today in however you approach that adventure for yourself.

1. Embrace more quiet and solitude.

   When you live more rurally and out in nature, it's going to sound deafeningly quiet. You will be able to hear nothing and everything at the same time. Embracing quiet moments daily and enjoying your own company can ease this transition and help you develop some healthy habits and hobbies.

   
   

2. Switch over to biodegradable products.

   This can be tough if you have favorite products you've used for years. However, using biodegradable products is wise because the water from this (called greywater) can go back to nature without toxic residues. This is especially useful if you're creating a greywater runoff system that will send your household water from sinks and showers to your gardens, trees, and landscape plants.

   
   

3. Start a garden and learn how to compost.

   Depending on where you live, this might be easier for you then in other regions. Learn to grow your own food in simple ways (herbs on your windowsill, potted plants, seed starter kits, etc.). Start to learn how to work with soil and what to grow. The latest Farmer's Almanac is a great resource with a calendar reference and planting tips throughout the year.

   
   

4. Carve out time every week to study one aspect of off-grid or sustainable living.

   Learning to go off-grid or just live more sustainably is an entire lifestyle change. Study one thing that interests you every week, whether it's biodegradable products, solar energy, owning goats, or maybe building a chicken coop. Mother Earth News is a fantastic magazine for studying.

   
   

5. Engaging in more mindful consumption of household resources.

   Many of us have habits around electrical and water consumption. Changing habits is easier said then done. A great book to read for helping in any type of habit shifting is "Atomic Habits" by James Clear!

   
   

6. Learn how to make your own goods (bread, yogurt, canning, etc.)

   What do you envision when living off-grid or more sustainably? Do you want your home to smell like fresh baked bread? Have a stock of canned pickled items? Make your own mead? Lean into learning some new creations and have fun failing forward.

   
   

7. Shop and support local farms if you can't grow your own food.

   If you're not yet in a place where you can grow your own food, buying from your local farms, co-ops, and farmers markets are great ways to source the freshest produce and support your local community.