Overwhelmed by Permaculture at home? Small Changes are what is needed

You might look at other people, and think that there's no way that you'd be able to do as many permaculture things as them.  This sort of permaculture envy is very elitist, and it's far from the truth.  At the heart of Permaculture are the little things.  Small little adaptations in your life can make a difference.  I'm not saying that you can do many small things, but rather that even only doing one tiny change should be commended.  

You have identified a need, or something that can get changed.  You have taken initiative, and have physically taken steps to make things a little better.  

So what type of changes am I discussing?  Very simply, I think that every bath tub and shower should be plumbed backwards with the hot being the cold and vice versa.  This change is for tubs whose flow and temperature are handled by the same knob.  You shouldn't have to send the most water to get the hottest water.

When you flip your water lines, then you are able to conserve much more water.  I personally think that this small Changes helps to show people a different way of thinking.  We get into the habit of turning on the shower full blast, because we like it hot.  There's something more relaxing about taking a milder approach with reverse plumb.  

Now there are tons of small little tiny things that you can do.  Mine that I have suggested is a slightly complex one, as you might need some plumbing knowledge on how to do it properly.  Ideally, you could ask for this to be installed this way, but I think that it might be a slight conspiracy for the industry to go away from flow rate knobs into the single handle choice.  Maybe it is all just aesthetic, but I am a little bit skeptical as it seems such a backwards thing to have no choice.  

The truth is that a person could get wrapped up in worrying that finding the perfect permaculture system is complex and difficult.  I am simply lobbying that one single small change is all that you need.

What type of small changes do you think that a homestead could make?  

Plant an apple tree. If you already have one, stop spraying it.

My usual first recommendation to a person if they want to make change is as follows.

Start a compost pile.

Compost doesn't have to be fancy. It can be fancy if that is what it takes to get someone to start. If we got the majority of people to start composting, we could really put a dent into the usage of conventional waste streams.

Get a laundry rack or line and use it. Why waste electricity to do what the sun is more than willing to do for free?

Timothy Norton wrote:My usual first recommendation to a person if they want to make change is as follows.

Start a compost pile.

.

My opinion is that many might see compost as daunting, as drawing pests, or inconvenient due to their living situation.  This is a nice suggestion for those who can, but many live in an apartment and are not allowed to have refuse around outside.

I definitely think that vermicompost is a bit more apartment friendly, but still can seem more difficult than it actually is.

Our cities need to compost on a larger scale

Jay Angler wrote:Get a laundry rack or line and use it. Why waste electricity to do what the sun is more than willing to do for free?

This worked when I lived in the south, but I had to search for other alternatives up in the north east during half the year.  I found a small butane Kovea Cupid heater was an effective way to dry my clothes hanging in my bathroom.  One butane canister costs like 2.50 and heats for four to six hours.

When it's raining or cold, this is my alternative.  It's also the cheapest space heating for my house that I have found, and Ai really got it for some car camping.  It's a little too bulky for much bsckpacking

That's the thing, not each idea will work for every person, but if it works for some then its worth posting in this thread!

William Wallace wrote:but many live in an apartment and are not allowed to have refuse around outside.

I definitely think that vermicompost is a bit more apartment friendly,

So you live in an apartment and yes permaculture can be a problem in an apartment.  But hey, some folks have overcome that using these:

https://permies.com/wiki/126834/PEA-Core-Philosophy-Badges

even if one lives in an apartment without a yard/lawn.

Anne Miller wrote: So you live in an apartment and yes permaculture can be a problem in an apartment.

I will step in here to remind Earthlings that one of the largest polluting industry on this planet is "Fashion". So even in an apartment, you can "permify" your wardrobe with quality, all-natural (silk, cotton, wool, linen - not greenwashing crappy 'bamboo' ) fabrics by checking out Charity shops and consignment stores.

Watch for items that look good, that can be upcycled, that can be reinvented.

Does that mean you need to sew? SkIP can teach you that, and you can start with items no one will freak out about like cloth grocery bags and Pj's. No it does *not* require a machine. My sister has a double bed quilt completely hand-sewn by Mennonites. If they can learn how to efficiently hand-sew, the rest of us can at least give it a go!

I would have never thought of this. Thank you!