About Making Bread and Using the Chainsaw
Ever since we defined self-sufficiency as one of our principles, I am gaining more awareness of what that means. Every day, I strive to become more self-sufficient and the best way to be self-sufficient is by learning a new skill. Once you are able to do it, you do not rely on others to do it for you. Living in the remote wilderness, it is essential that you don´t rely on others and are capable. Self-sufficiency isn’t just about mastering skills; it’s about adopting a mindset. It’s about understanding that every skill you learn, every challenge you overcome, brings you closer to independence and capability.
This winter I learned how to use the chainsaw. Using the chainsaw was definitely out of my comfort zone. The few times I used it before, it scared me. I wasn’t strong enough to get it started and the high risk intimidated me to stop trying. However, I was aware that using the chainsaw is a crucial skill for living and surviving in the wilderness. In the wintertime, firewood is our source of heat. In the summer, we need to cut trails. So, I was determined to learn this skill this winter.
I started by watching the chainsaw orientation. I watched it many times before, but I never fully understood the theory until I actually started using the chainsaw. Suddenly things made sense. But without the theory before I would not have been aware of these learnings. The next step in the graduated program included cutting small logs to practice how to hold the saw safely. Eventually I moved on to bigger logs and logs close together. This was another scary moment as I was afraid of the potential kickback. It took me a while, but I was able to push myself out of my comfort zone. This definitely empowered me on my self-sufficiency journey. Now I feel more confident and capable of using the chainsaw.
Another skill I learned this winter was how to make bread which is not as easy as it seems. Learning more about the processed foods that we buy in town and the bad ingredients for us, I was motivated to make bread with only three ingredients and without all the other additives and chemicals. I tried different types of flour, yeast, and techniques. The first tries, the bread didn’t rise, and it turned out as hard as a brick. But over time I learned about the importance of temperature and the resting time for the dough. Eventually I got it figured out so that the bread rose and during the baking turned soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.
On a cold winter day, I prepared the dough for bread. While the dough was rising, I went outside to cut firewood with the chainsaw. In between I took a break to knead the dough, before giving it more time to rise while I went back outside to cut more firewood.
Baking bread and using a chainsaw portray two opposites of a spectrum, however, that day they both made me feel the same: independent and capable. Mastering both of these skills allows me to be self-sufficient and to contribute, whether it’s cutting firewood to keep warm or baking bread to feed us. That day I felt empowered by my ability to take care of these basic needs and to be self-sufficient.
by Lea D. , Germany
