Learning to live self-sufficiently

People often tell me that they wouldn't know where to start if they had to live as we do. We didn't either.  It's been progressive learning. Some was conscious and most was learnt on the fly out of necessity.

I think you have to change habits one by one until they are your new normal. Small things. Take water saving. When we moved here and had to re-use every drop of water, we soon discovered that our wash basin took about 50L a day. A real shocker. Its because of the work we do- in the garden/ workshop /chicken yard. No-one thinks twice about washing their hands and I am not saying we shouldn't,  just that we should reroute the water.
If you pour a glass of water- drink it all! Don't throw half down the drain.
Use a glass of water to brush your teeth not a running tap.
Save the water from boiling eggs/potatoes etc for your compost heap or just in the garden. It's still water.

Jan says since cold air sinks, you lose 30% of the cold air in your fridge as you stand gazing and trying to remember what you opened it for. Put everything in the same place so you dont have to hunt. Your fridge will work less and therefore use less energy.

Max says he has learnt to turn off lights every time you leave a room. Even if you think you are coming back.

Maybe I think too much about the cost of everything. Not the price but the total cost. We are really trying to use more local products and support small businesses.
We mostly eat locally grown barley instead of imported rice. Cost vs price.
Jan is a meat eater and we source meat from small local producers or go without. I realise that for some people that is too extreme but it makes meat eating a fabulous pleasure for him.

I guess conscious living is what I am suggesting.  If you think of each thing you do in a day, you'll find habits to change. Start with the easy stuff or you may give up too soon.