The term self-reliance brings to mind a lone homesteader living off-grid in a home built with reclaimed materials. They harvest their rainwater; capture and store energy with a solar panel and a battery; and grow and preserve their own food. They may have a wood stove to cook and heat their home with, and have probably amassed a lot of tools and equipment (a freezer, an axe, canning jars) to enable their lifestyle.
This is an admirable feat, but in reality, this brave soul will never be completely self-reliant because of their hidden dependencies: at some point a company manufactured those upcycled building materials, solar panel and battery, and all the other equipment this off-gridder relies on. Even if they were to “reset the self-reliance clock” once everything needed for this lifestyle is obtained, complete self-reliance has a shelf life. The freezer may short out, canning jars may break, appendicitis may strike.
This individual may have a lot of knowledge, tools and skills, but they don’t have all of them.
Does this mean we should abandon our self-reliance goals? Not at all. Instead, it’s important to understand that true self-reliance, paradoxically, is only possible through interdependence with others.
One of the 12 permaculture principles is “Integrate Rather Than Segregate,” or to foster connections between elements (including humans!) to increase synergy and efficiency. Humans are inherently social beings who thrive in collaboration. A functional, connected community shares resources, distributes labour, and collectively tackles challenges. This model mirrors nature, where ecosystems rely on diverse species working together for mutual benefit. One community member might specialize in gardening, while another provides carpentry or medicinal knowledge. Together, they create a resilient and sustainable network that no individual could achieve alone.
By building relationships, sharing resources, and fostering cooperation, we can create resilient communities that allow everyone to flourish. True self-reliance isn’t about isolation; it’s about embracing the power of connection.
