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the ultimate sophistication

Oct 6th, 2010 by

Pardon while the Damsel gets a bit serious.

photo credit

Self reliance is more than making your own buttermilk. It’s an attitude.

Of course it’s easier to just buy stuff already made. Once in a while, doing stuff the old fashioned way really is easier, but that’s usually not the case. Ease is what the ready-made world is all about.

The Damsel’s Old School is for learning how to do things yourself for a few reasons, but the feeling of being self reliant is way up there. By being more self reliant, you’ll feel safer. Secure in your own capability. Comfortable in the idea that you can take care of your loved ones.

The Damsel realizes that all this hard work at preparedness may not be called upon in a dramatic way. It could be that we’ll live our whole lives without having delivery pizza cruelly taken away from us. That the grocery stores will remain stocked with boxed dinners and cold cereal. But there are few things in this world we can derive such an honest, basic satisfaction from as from making something with our own hands.

They say Leonardo da Vinci said “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” The Damsel loves this quote with all her heart. And she feels that doing things herself is one way of bringing that simplicity into her crazy, noisy life.

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Posted in self reliance

  • http://mygreenambitions.blogspot.com Nikol

    Love this. And you using Da Vinci’s quote makes me think of Uchtdorf’s talk from Saturday morning’s Conference session. Great stuff.

    • damsel

      Yes! That’s where I heard the quote. Great talk.

  • http://blueandshoe.blogspot.com Lisa Wood Bingham

    Love this. And it’s so true. I love rabbit poop ice, and found that about half the time I went to buy a bag, they were either out, or couldn’t part with it. I felt so frustrated and so dependent upon someone else for something that mattered to me. So I bought my own machine. Now it’s up to me whether or not this craving is curbed. And I know this isn’t the same as planting a garden~which we did this year~but it is about being self reliant. There is great satisfaction and peace of mind knowing you can take care of your own needs.

    • damsel

      So do you have a picture of rabbit poop ice on your blog? Because obviously it is NEEDED. lol

  • http://pitterlepostings.blogspot.com pattyann

    I couldn’t agree with you more. I have found that when I try things for myself, I get the sense of pride and accomplishment that often goes with them. Sometimes, they even taste or look better than the store bought ones. I really think there is something to be said for being “old school”. Oh yeah, Lisa, what in the world is rabbit poop ice?? Never heard of that one!

  • http://beinglds.blogspot.com Jocelyn

    so true….

  • Kassie

    I have to echo what others have said, “I couldn’t agree more.” Keeping things simple keeps me more at peace, and doing things myself gives me a great feeling of self worth and competence.

    And I imagine rabbit poop ice must be little balls of ice? I had a pet rabbit growing up…

  • http://temporaryinsanitybykym.com/ Kimberly VanderHorst

    Beautifully said! The self-respect that self-reliance brings is invaluable. I made bread yesterday and wow. How amazing it feels to be able to do that one simple thing.

    • damsel

      Yay for homemade bread. Nuthin’ bettah.

  • http://mummycrafts.blogspot.com CraftyMummy

    Sometimes I read things on blogs that truly resonate with what I believe inside and validate my ideas of making things myself – if only for the satisfaction and confirmation that I can. Thanks!

  • http://livinglightlyinsuburbia.blogspot.com Gail

    What the heck is rabbit poop ice??

  • http://whathefork.blogspot.com Erin R.

    Thank you for creating this blog. I’m not sure how I found it so long ago but I’ve loved reading your posts and with your positive attitude it has helped me become more self reliant in my own home. As silly as it sounds I’m not sure if I would have done as much as I have without this blog to help me push my prebought comfort boundaries. Thank you.

    • damsel

      Erin…thank you so much. Comments like this totally make my day.

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  • http://serenedesigns.blogspot.com Serene

    You know I love you, your blog, and your thoughts.

    I want to be like you when I grow up!

    Oh, and I’m also going to send my whole family a link to your blog since we’ve all been discussing how to be more self-reliant lately.

    *hugs*

  • Melissa

    Hey I stumbled upon your blog. I just wanted to let you know how much I like it. Thanks for the post. I am now a follower here. I will be back for updates

  • http://www.naughtyneighbour.wordpress.com Debs

    Here! Here! as us brits say (somewhere deep in a Dicken’s novel). I am just in the process of trying to finish some start- from- scratch- do- it- yourself- project. This post has given me the encouragement to push on through to the end!

  • http://weaknessbecomingstrength.blogspot.com Rebecca

    I wholeheartedly concur!!

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  • http://www.justbeve.blogspot.com Neva

    A beautiful post. I agree, I do feel better when I can do something without modern conveniences. It makes me feel more accomplished. : )

  • http://melscoffeebreak.blogspot.com Melanie

    Agree! And I’ll add an “Atta Girl!” :-)
    So happy to find your blog today… visiting from BF

    Melanie

  • http://www.leleanajohnson.com/ L. Eleana

    You’re right, “simplicity” is golden. Sometimes doing things the longer way allows me to sit back and relax, like cutting my own potatoes for fresh french fries… Now I’m getting hungry!

  • http://www.sew-and-grow.blogspot.com millie

    This is a beautiful post. I come from the same mindset but need to learn more…looking forward to exploring your site in depth (as I have just found your lovely blog). I am following you now. Have a great day!

  • http://www.buddy-notes.com Tracy

    I try to be self reliant to a fault almost. :( Great post!

  • http://www.tribaltimes.blogspot.com Lalas Pequenos

    So happy I stumbled across your blog! I totally agree! And yes- what is rabbit poop ice??

  • http://www.jerseydivamom.com Jersey Diva Mom

    This is going to sound like a reach, but I get this feeling often having my own business. The feeling of self-reliance and control is a great feeling at times, for the confidence it builds. Thanks for your feedback on my mammogram post!

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    This is a smart blog. I mean it. You’ve so much knowledge about this issue, and so much passion. You also know how to make individuals rally behind it, obviously from the responses. Youve got a design right here thats not too flashy, but makes a statement as big as what youre saying. Excellent job, indeed.

  • http://www.AhavaAndAmara.blogspot.com Mama Alvina

    In this day and age and the fast pace in which the world is going, self reliance is a must! Thanks so much for reminding us that we need to be less dependent on outside sources and more independent in our thinking and doing for self. ;0)