Even in this era of artificial intelligence, electric cars, and augmented reality, there are some old school skills that you should know.
This isn’t some on ramp to being a doomsday prepper, but it seems that little by little our ability to be self-sufficient is dying. Skills which were traditionally handed down from generation to generation are being lost, and I can’t help but feel that we’re worse off without knowing some of these old school skills.
1. Repairing your own clothing
We talk a lot about buying fewer, better clothing items around here, in the spirit of spending less money over time. A big part of extending the life of your clothing is knowing how to maintain and repair it. Things like being able to read a care tag, brushing your boots off daily, and avoiding the high heat dry cycle can go a long way toward keeping your clothing in good condition.
However, occasionally you’ll need to repair your clothing, and this is where knowing some basic repair techniques can come in handy. Being able to sew on a button, mend a hole, or hand-darn your jeans can add years of life to a garment you might otherwise throw away. And if you have no interest in learning how to do these things yourself, at least knowing of where you can have repairs performed will equip you with the ability to enjoy those high quality items for a very long time.
2. Building and maintaining a fire
As a kid, there was a time where our main source of heat was a wood stove. Knowing how to build and maintain a fire was crucial. Knowing how to process wood, control airflow, and properly dispose of ash were skills I learned as a very young man. Today I’m thankful that I’m able to call on this skill when we have a power outage to keep my family warm, or for recreation like a campfire.
And while the hearth is no longer the center of a house as it was in the past, the utility of controlling fire can’t be overlooked. Aside from keeping you and your family warm, you can cook over a fire or keep things dry. If all else fails, it’s just fun to sit and watch the flames, or what I like to call “caveman television”.
3. Growing your own food
You don’t need to become a full time farmer to enjoy the benefits of growing your own food. More people than ever are concerned with where their food comes from and what goes into it. Keeping a few chickens to always have fresh eggs, or growing tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers (depending on your climate) is relatively easy to learn and give you a feeling of self-sufficiency. Plus, food always tastes better when it’s fresh from your garden.
Resources to learn this skill are everywhere, and I’m willing to bet most people know someone who is already doing this. Community gardens are becoming more popular for those who don’t have the space for a home garden. Like anything, it takes practice, and you’ll make mistakes. The first-time raccoons got into our chickens was a shock, but you learn, grow, and adapt with time and experience.
4. Beekeeping
Beekeeping has numerous benefits and its relatively affordable to get into. Whether you want your own local honey and the benefits which come with it, or you just want to help the bee population and boost their dwindling numbers. Bees are amazing to observe and the way they communicate is mind boggling. The decline in the bee population can potentially have devastating effects, so this is a skill which brings many benefits.
It’s also relatively cheap to get into. Complete kits are available online, and depending on your climate the upkeep is pretty minimal. If you decide to harvest their honey, you can actually make money with this skill!
5. Woodworking
Whether you want to make your own furniture or just maintain your home, woodworking is one of those skills which used to be passed from generation to generation. My grandfather was a carpenter and I inherited many of his woodworking tools which allowed me to install trim in my house, perform repairs, and even make toys for my kids. Wood is abundant, its relatively cheap, and with the DIY/maker culture its easy to find tutorials and inspiration for free.
You don’t even need to go that crazy, but just knowing how to repair some trim your dog chewed up, fix your deck, or mend a piece of furniture can save you a ton of money versus having it done professionally. Or heck, make cool stuff out of wood and sell them on Etsy!
Of course, these are only five skills and there are plenty more! So please let me know which “old school” things you’d like to learn or feel should make a comeback.
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