With the reality of quarantine hanging over our heads, self-sufficiency has become a necessity in our everyday lives. Gone are the days of gyms and nail salons and with that, we’ve been left to our own devices… but that doesn’t mean we have to be completely helpless. 

Farming
We’ve all seen how panic-buying has emptied the shelves at our local supermarkets. Maybe it’s time to take a page from the past and return to our roots? To many, farming may seem like an exotic skill, but now is a great time to experiment. Certain vegetables are extremely accessible to newcomers, like herbs, onions and lettuce, all of which provide the perfect beginner’s test. Lettuce is quick to grow in the sun while still being able to withstand a little shade. As you begin experimenting with different vegetables like tomatoes, it starts to get a little more hands-on as you require more precise conditions. However, with a wealth of online resources at your fingertips, you shouldn’t have a problem. 

Baking
If farming isn’t your style, you could always turn to the humble art of baking. It might be a bit cliché, but it’s popular for a reason. Baking is fulfilling and allows for ample creativity; be it cake or banana bread, it allows you to stretch your culinary muscles and create something an entire household can enjoy. Banana bread takes less than an hour to bake and is made up of the usual suspects you’d find in any kitchen, i.e., eggs, butter, flour, baking powder and of course bananas. In the end, it's satisfying to see your creation come to fruition. 

DIY projects
Finally, if you want to cap off your drive for self-improvement, you could partake in some DIY projects around the house. You don’t have to start with anything too overwhelming: beginning with the likes of a birdhouse, for example, can take less than an hour with a little guidance. With a library of knowledge online and some practice, you’ll be on to bigger and better things like bookcases and raised garden beds in no time. Stick with any of these and you'll surely see your sense of self-sufficiency bloom.