July 2, 2023

One idea to keep it slow and simple… Get independent from…

Usually, we want you to know—to deeply feel—your interdependence. When we embrace interdependence as a lifestyle, we are more likely to live in ways that honor one another and the planet.

Independence does have its place though. And as we enter the July 4th holiday in the U.S., it’s as good a time as any to think about the ways in which we want to grow in our own abilities to sustain ourselves, and what dependencies we want to break.

Maybe, like me, you used to go fishing as a kid. You could catch, prep, and cook a fish without a second thought. And maybe, like me, it’s been years (OK, decades). Could you still do it if you had a rod and lure in your hand?

Whether you’d like to declare full or partial independence from convenience food or fast fashion or want to grow your own tomatoes, maybe this week would be a good time to declare yourself a little more (but not too) independent.

And some clickable fun—Independence edition

We love to discover and share, so we’ve added three cool clickables. And just so you know, when we list products, it’s just because we like them. We’re not sponsored by anything but our dreams and imaginations.

• Want to start your garden from seed or level up your skills? This interactive calendar helps you figure out when to start seeds.

• Try out these tips from seven years of The New York Times tip column. From the helpful—how to change a brake light or mend jeans—to the…more interesting—how to crack a safe—you’ll find something for everyone. We hope you never have to get someone out of a cult, but bookmark this page just in case.

• Find repair manuals, step-by-step guides, and precision tools to fix just about anything at IFIXIT.