Sustainable skills: the arts of providing for ourselves that are not taught in school.
Last year when I was a full time teacher I once did a little workshop about how to bake.
I thought that only few students (16-18) would be interested, given that we live in a society of take aways, ready meals, deliveries.
To my surprise, 150 students signed up...150!
I was pleasantly surprised.
Young people needs that no one talk about:
When I asked them what made them sign up for a baking lesson in school, they all had pretty much the same answer: "no one ever taught us this!"
After the workshop, which features nearly adult people cracking an egg for the first time in their life, they all asked for more.
"It is such a shame that school doesn't teach us the skills of our grandparents."
"I have no idea how to change a lightbulb"
"My family calls the handyman when something breaks so I have no idea what to do myself in those situations".
It was very inspiring.
These nearly adults were craving something we didn't think they would: real life skills!
Skill to sustain themselves and finally leap into independent adulthood!
This is one of the very reasons why Southstainable was born. To inspire curiosity and educate people about the good old skill that gives us the ability to sustain ourselves, our household and everybody's household (a.k.a. Planet Earth).
The Sustainable Skills for Life
There are many useful household skills that can contribute to a more organized, efficient, and sustainable life.
Here are what we think are the most valuable household skills (ok random order-ish) that we should consider learning:
1. Cooking
This is our personal core value.
Being able to prepare nutritious meals, knowing where to buy the ingredients low waste and how to dispose of them, can save money, improve health, and massively help being in harmony with ourselves and the planet.
A conscious relationship with food is indeed one of the pillars of sustainable living,.
2. Basic Sewing
Being able to mend clothing or make simple repairs can extend the life of your garments and save money on alterations.
In a world of fast fashion or expensive brands, repairing socks or patch broken clothes, for example can really be a money and planet saver.
3. Energy Conservation
Do you know how much your house consumes?
How much does a 15Kw electric heater consume and cost to run?
When is the best time to run the washing machine?
With energy bills being a very costly part of our life now, learning to be mindful of energy usage and adopting energy-saving practices can contribute to a more sustainable living and really build a cost-effective home.
4. Budgeting and Financial Management
Even grown up adults struggle to fully understanding how to pay bills, taxes, claims, pensions, etc.
To be fair, we are on the same boat and are putting in a good effort to become more financially literate.
And let's remember that the more we can sustain ourselves financially, the less of a burden and worry becomes to sustain others.
5. Laundry and Cleaning Skills
Understanding how to properly sort, wash, and care for your clothing can help them last longer and maintain their quality.
Knowing how to use alternative sustainable products such as soda bicarbonate or vinegar, can make a real difference not only for the environment but also for our pockets!
The more we know how to use every day products, the less we need to buy them!
6. Basic Home Repairs
When is the last time you change a light bulb?
Can you use a drill?
Can you fix a toilet pipe?
Knowing basic home repairs save tons of money and time and it by far one of the most important thing to learn.
Back in the days most people knew how to take care of their own home without having to spend money or wait for a technician to come.
How freeing would it be to go back to this?
7. Gardening
Today is all about house plants.
We are told that green is calming, that plants clean air, that makes our mind feel more happy.
Apart from that, learning how to take care of plants can provide great help to a sustainable living.
Cultivating a small garden, even if it's just a few potted plants, can provide fresh herbs, vegetables, or flowers. It can light up your indoor space.
It can teach us how to pay attention to the slow but steady rythm of nature.
And if we are joining a community garden, it can really foster belonging and kindness.
8. First Aid
Basic first aid skills can be crucial in handling minor injuries or emergencies that may arise at home.
Some of these are taught in school and at CPD or private courses.
We feel it is very important that everyone has at least a basic understanding of how to deal with healthy issues.
It can really save lives.
9. Waste Management
Do you know how much we care about this. It breaks our heart to see how dirty and full of trash our streets and garden are sometimes.
Properly recycling and disposing of waste materials is not only environmentally responsible but also contributes to a cleaner and safer living space.
Not only in our house but also in our communities.
10. Communication Skills
Lastly, probably the most important skills of all.
The art of being humans, of being kind, of being a family.
Effective communication is key to maintaining healthy relationships within the household.
This includes active listening, expressing oneself clearly, and resolving conflicts peacefully.
Sometimes we see people on the street shouting at each other, even at children, or treating other people with anger and rudeness.
Everyone can have bad days, worries or stress, so it is a fundamental skill to learn to navigate ourselves through our emotions in a safe and nurturing way.
