Simply Prepping: A Focus on Skills

Welcome back to the Porch! Grab yourself a few cookies and a cup of coffee and settle in for a bit. Today, we're talking about one of my favorite topics – the skills you need for both prepping and living a simple life. Tune in while we talk about 5 skills that will come in handy – from the basics to the more advanced.

Make Your Own Rope Jig

Transcript

Welcome back to the Porch! Grab yourself a few cookies and a cup of coffee and settle in for a bit. Today, we're talking about one of my favorite topics – the skills you need for both prepping and living a simple life. 

I’m always curious about how things are done and keeping an eye out for new skills that will help me in my simple life. Not just any skills, though—skills that make life easier, more self-sufficient, and yes, a bit more prepared. After all, whether you're in the middle of a cozy afternoon or bracing for a storm, knowing how to handle life’s little hiccups can make all the difference.

Now, imagine you're wandering the streets of the town of Simply Prepping. This is a place where everyone has a bit of prepping in their pockets and a lot of simplicity in their hearts. Here, the skills they have aren't just for surviving—they're for thriving, creating, and embracing the little moments of joy. So, let’s take a stroll through this town, pick up a few helpful skills, and discover how prepping and simplicity really go hand-in-hand.

There are many skills we should have in our arsenal. We’ve talked about several of what I would call basic skills, such as gardening and food preservation, and we all know if we have a storm that affects our water source, we need to have water filtration skills. And foraging is a skill we haven’t talked about, but I need to learn more about it before I even try. You may already have a few of the skills we’ll talk about today – but we’ll also talk a bit about taking them to the next level.

But, before we move on, keep in mind that any skills you have can be shared with others, whether it’s teaching, or in using them to help others. For instance, gardening isn’t just about growing food—it’s also about sharing—with neighbors, friends, or even through a local community garden. After all, a little bit of kindness can go a long way.

One of the first skills we’ll talk about is first aid. You don’t have to be a die-hard prepper to understand the importance of Basic First Aid and Medical Skills. Even though a mom’s kiss is magical, it can’t heal every bump and bruise we get. Knowing how to handle small injuries can make life a lot easier. Think in terms of cuts, scrapes, sprains, and basic burns—skills that are useful whether you're tending to your child’s scraped knee or your neighbor’s finger after a gardening mishap.

But let’s take it up a notch. Advanced skills like CPR or Advanced First Aid could truly be lifesaving in emergency situations. I promise you don’t have to be a paramedic to learn it. With just a little time invested in a course, you’ll be prepared to jump into action when it counts the most. You can check with your local American Red Cross or hospitals to see if they offer the classes you need.

At our house, we don’t have central heat and air. Instead, we have a fireplace in the living room and a wood stove in the kitchen. We depend on just these two to heat our home in winter. Occasionally, we’ll use an electric heater, but if the power’s out, we can’t. I’ve learned to never take the simple pleasure of a warm fire for granted. 

One of the first skills I had to learn is Basic fire-starting. For me, it involves knowing how to use a lighter or matches, but if it’s a serious situation where those aren’t available, the Country Boy has taught me how to use a flint and steel. And one of these days, he and I both may learn the really advanced skill of using a stick and a stone. But so far, that is definitely a skill where I end up with blisters instead of a spark. 

But don’t worry if you’re not ready to face the wild just yet. Knowing how to safely build and maintain a fire for cooking or warmth (without burning down your home) is a great skill to have. For those of you who are already skilled in building fires, you may want to try experimenting with natural fire starters like dryer lint, pinecones, or even moss, while enjoying a family and friends’ night around the fire pit. Bonus points if you do it while telling campfire stories!

Now, let’s pivot a little and talk about a skill that truly holds my heart in its hands, and embodies the spirit of simple living: handcrafts. Whether it's mending your favorite sweater, knitting a scarf, or weaving a basket, handcrafts connect us to our ancestors and to a simpler, slower pace of life. This is a skill that’s not only useful but enjoyable—and isn’t that the heart of simple living? Taking time to create something by hand brings joy, focus, and satisfaction.

You can start simple with basic needlework, like sewing a button on a shirt or mending a tear in a pair of jeans. From there, build your skills into advanced territory—how about learning to darn socks or creating hand-sewn quilts? For the more adventurous, dive into basket weaving or even pottery. These are not just practical skills; they also remind us of the beauty in the process of creation itself. Plus, who doesn’t want to sit on the porch and crochet in the evening light?

Let’s take a left turn down a road not often considered when living a simple life, and even possibly most prepping circles: rope making. It’s one of those lesser-known skills that, when you really stop to think about it, is incredibly valuable and satisfying to learn. Whether you’re braiding paracord for a survival kit, creating rope for use around the farm, or crafting beautiful decorative ropes for your home, the possibilities are endless.

Learning how to make rope by hand (from natural fibers, like hemp or jute, or synthetic materials like paracord) might seem a bit unusual at first, but it’s a truly practical skill. Ropes are used for everything from tying down gear, securing tents, and hanging laundry, to making functional macramé wall hangings. And don’t even get me started on how much fun it is to braid your own cords for camping or crafting!

Advanced skills could include learning different knotting techniques or fancy braids, which can be used for anything from creating custom-made bags to forming durable animal leads or outdoor gear. It’s one of those skills that offers a little bit of everything: practicality, creativity, and a connection to a bygone way of life. It’s as simple and rewarding as it gets.

And if you really want to take it to the next level, put your woodworking skills into action and build a rope making jig. I found the directions to make one, and it’s on my list for this year. I’m planning on practicing with all the hay rope we have around here first. That way I can learn a new skill and be resourceful all at the same time. If this skill piques your curiosity, I’ve added a link for a video in the show notes. And if you do make one, be sure to send me pictures!

Another skill we’ve talked about is Home Repairs and Maintenance. Keeping a home in good shape is a skill that every simple-living enthusiast should know. And while it may seem a little “prepper-ish,” doing your own home repairs is a great way to save money, reduce waste, and live more sustainably. Fixing leaky faucets, patching up holes in the walls, or even replacing a broken door handle are all part of making your home a safe, comfortable place to be.

Once you’ve mastered the basics of DIY repairs, you can graduate to more advanced tasks like tiling a floor or building a bookshelf. Not only will these skills make you more self-sufficient, but they’ll also teach you the joy of doing things yourself—without relying on contractors. And let’s be honest, nothing feels quite as satisfying as standing back and admiring something you’ve fixed or built with your own hands. (Cue the quiet, humble brag.)

So, there you have it—five essential skills that blend the art of prepping with the joy of living simply. Each of these skills not only prepares us for the unexpected but also enriches our daily lives, making the ordinary feel extraordinary. And isn’t that what simple living is all about? It’s about doing, creating, and connecting—all while enjoying the little things that make life so much richer.

So, as you wander through the streets of Simply Prepping, think about which skills you’d like to cultivate next. Whether you’re making your own rope with the jig you built, sewing a new pillow, or fixing that stubborn door latch, remember this: there’s no rush. The process of learning these skills is just as important as the outcome. In the town of Simply Prepping, they savor the joy of the journey, not just the destination.

If you want to learn more about living a Simple Life, just visit my website at www.thefarmwife.com/ . If you’re enjoying listening to these podcasts, please consider supporting the show by clicking the SUPPORT button in the show notes. When you do, you’ll be helping me continue bringing you fun and helpful ideas for living the Simple Life you love!

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Thanks again for stopping in. I will see you next week on Living a Simple Life with a Back Porch View. And while you are waiting for the next episode, grab that glass of refreshment, pull up a rocker, and sit back for a while. It’s time to relax and enjoy.