I was curious of what companies or outfitter store you bought your clothing. Catch the trade winds in your sails. They were happy, warm and always interested in what possibilities were available. I love listening to your philosophy. You could have a 2nd career as a NINJA or maybe a MONK!! The main reason, I am writing you is that I agree that planning is essential to getting self reliance off the ground. I will admit I’m a bit of a conspiracy theorist but when you get right down to it a lot of these so-called conspiracies hold a lot of Truth. Hi from the UK! Dec 7, 2019 - After opening subscriber mail, I get awkwardly personal about the changes coming to the homestead in the next several weeks. Full disclosure, I haven’t been as dedicated as you with respect to hand tools only and have built ( helped build) a couple of log places – a small cabin and a home. I am from Massachusetts, USA and grew up in the suburbs around Boston. My Self Reliance is the story a self-made multi millionaire who came from nothing yet retired self reliant at the age of 45. I currently live in Oshawa, but I would like to find some land that is in an unorganized township, access to a stream/pond, far away from the crowds but close enough to a road to drive in, and also abutting crown land that I can enjoy for hunting and other recreational activities. Greetings from the old Europe, on the edge of the Alps. One of my all-time favorite channels is My Self Reliance. Just a thought away…, I enjoy your videos and I wonder about some of the overhead views of the cabin,etc. I think if I had a mentor 10 years ago, I’d probably be in a cabin by now. Giu Capo. Also, add a skimmer to you ice fishing gear. Also, if you sprinkle wood ashes on your garden where you want to lessen acidity, it will help. Been following your exploits for months now on two of your channels. You are living your life as your authentic self and nothing can be more real and gratifying. So first off, thank you for documenting your accomplishments and hardships along your journey. I only saw it for a moment this morning, but oh, it’s perfect. Learn more about My Self Reliance's favorite products. hours on your channels, entranced, watching you and your superb dog. I am not interested in buying a kit ,but have the experience of doing everything from what is on the property. I am a lecturer and believe that your story will inspire our students when I share. I don’t believe there is a greater privilege than sharing this reality with others as a ‘seeding’ to bring us towards a world we would choose, rather than a world we have no choice but to struggle and fight to survive in; no matter how long this may take. older than you and I recall seeing his video on public tv when I was a kid. US citizen or Canadian? Enjoy your videos down here in NZ. Join Michael, Ron, Mark, and special guest Shawn James as they talk about Shawn’s hugely successful YouTube channel “My Self Reliance”. As the channel states: ... with a wife who’s collected a lot of clothes, a simple 1 or 2-room shanty wasn’t going to cut it, so this place was probably as close as I was ever to get to that dream. Hi Shawn, You are one industrious man, a what a talent. He has expressed some of your views about middle class/wealth, etc. Hey Shawn, your channel is awesome and educational and inspiring. This Covid-19 lock-down period has destroyed my income but thankfully also given me the time I really needed to properly devote to developing my passions –> / writing / creating beautiful space to live in both indoor and outdoor – through landscaping, property improvement, and making small bespoke outdoor buildings / growing flowers and vegetables to feed and heal the soul,mind and body / finding and contributing to a community of people who like me, are following their passions which are genuinely not rooted in any desire for money-wealth or status of any kind. Lets do an episode in Mt Olympus, the home of Greek gods! I wish you and your family the very best, good luck, health and blessings of God. I currently live north of GTA and my small town is becoming not so small and crowded. WE will be there for about 4 years and will live in some type of a rural suburban area. Best regards, For the past 15 years this search has taken me down some apparent dead ends, but the interesting lesson I learned, was this; that the driving purpose behind experiencing these dead ends, also ensured that they would also become important learning experiences that would assist me further down the road. Happened upon one of your videos via Digg.com and happy I did. good afternoon Shawn thank you for all the information finding others like myself and wife makes me think ,,,,,,ya not crazy yet,,,, lol take care. I loved seeing the the way how you showed (without talking but showing details ) your works as well as scenary of the beautiful winter of the area. Thanks for watching! Oh… and I’ve been inspired by your videos too. Ken. Thank you so much.Stay safe and God Bless! I enjoy seeing sneak peeks of your family, I wonder if your family have a channel on how life for them is during your stay and building at the cabin. I do think though that there are many nuances in between the two catogories of people You distinguish. Shawn James - 1.15k Followers, 997 Following, 830 pins | A Canadian outdoorsman, currently building a log cabin in the Canadian wilderness along with a complete wilderness homestead. Shop high-quality unique My Self Reliance Millionaire T-Shirts designed and sold by artists. I had a friend who lived in Perkinsfield Ontario most of her adult life. I am very impressed with the cabin and the film work (editing) your doing. My name is Shawn James and I am a Canadian outdoorsman, photographer, self-reliance educator, blogger and freelance writer for Ontario Tourism and outdoor magazines. I’ve only recently discovered your YouTube channels and I have been “binge watching” of late. You really are a cool guy. Personally, that is why I think your videos have such an impact. Working less than 40 hours per week but earning twice what my friends did, legally, allowed my to focus on my love of the outdoors. My best to you and your family, Diane. I look forward every friday. Cali is a fine dog. I’ve spent my youth/summers fishing/camping/canoeing the area i have in mind. Discover My Self Reliance Long Sleeve T-Shirt from My Self Reliance, a custom product made just for you by Teespring. My husband and I watch your videos. Looking forward to more quiet, man within nature videos. Take a look and see if this would work for you or connect and swop stories. The way you have documented your journey probably helps so many get started and shows what hard work and dedication get you in life. If we needed something, we usually had to figure out how to make it or fix what was broken. In a few months, I will be turning 30 and I’m not happy, but hopeful that I have a few years before it’s too late to gain some of the skills you’ve acquired. taking help and then feeling obligated. I am a public servant and work in the city but I’ve also been a hunting guide and archery hunter for over 20 years and have practiced some “bush craft” as well. The best thing for a young mind is challenge. Shawn James was born in Ontario, in April 10, 1970. I noticed you use buckets for water runoff from the cabin roof, it seems sufficient but not clean as animals can drink from it and there is natural debris, do you have a filter system in place for drinking and cooking? Developed in UK especially for use in countries using expensive-t-run, unhealthy kerosene lamps. My Self-Reliance; This post contains affiliate links. Realtor.ca has not had anything on there that I am looking for and I’ve been having trouble locating a property. Saves the hands from freezing somewhat. Thank you. Nobody wants to fail, and no one wants to “learn” after failing. Published on Feb 24, 2018 Hello Mr. James, First of all many warm and kind thanks for letting us share your adventure. Your Friend, I live in southern California wine country and I just love the beauty of where you’ve chosen to live. I grew up on a farm in northwestern Pennsylvania. I would like to ask you more questions about other places besides Ontario Canada?  I refer to these journals while I chronicle my life, detailing how I got to where I am today; economically, physically, emotionally and intellectually self reliant, free to live life to the fullest. Oh… And give that Cali a big hug from my wife and me! Very inspiring. 16,996 talking about this. Nice job! ?   It took me many years of trial and error, but I soon realized that I could earn more than enough money during short bursts of high intensity and focus. If you can build up their “want to” strong enough it will engage their “how to” imagination. I am 84 yrs old and pretty much retired from active life so u do that for me vicariously. Hello Tu me donnes beaucoup d’inspiration et d’espoir dans cette initiative. Yesterday morning, I happened to watch your YouTube video by chance and it continued till late night. I’m excited to see the future of your home and the surrounding property (as well as Cali of course) and am very thankful you decided to share with us mere mortals. I spent the entire summer playing in the woods and living on the Lake. Navaja. RN Hospice Case Manager. Hi Shawn ,I believe you are using a Berkey water system at the cabin ,Can I get your opinion of it and do you use one at home?Do you haul water in with you or use lake water.Not sure if you have talked about your water situation at the cabin in one of the videos.Anyways I really enjoy your videos.Thanks Rick, Bonjour Shawn! I would like to be able to do this to a degree (wife needs ammentities), but I am having a very hard time identifying property that won’t break the bank. My doctor, Joel Wallach, BS, DVM, ND, has taught them that the soil in their county is void of the mineral Selenium which when added to their diets relieves that issue pointing to the fact that even one missing mineral may have devastating effects on health. When my son was younger we watched the PBS show Alone in the Wilderness , about Dick Proeneke. Hey Shawn, J’attends que mes enfants soient plus grands pour peut-être leur faire profiter d’expériences en pleine nature. Recently started and to be honest I am not much of an outdoorsman. Best regards, I am interested in learning how to build a log home. I am messaging him your story in hopes he will be inspired. the Vermont Casting Stoves sales rebuild kits for their stoves with all new seals, you can also replace the gas combustion chamber which is behind the back plate of the inter box. Your youtube channel, and website do you credit, and I hope to be following and learning a great deal here. I love your YouTube page. Dear Mr. James, But, building the fire, the I’ve used them and they work well. One hive would produce 20-40 pounds of honey per season and I am sure you are aware of the benefits bees provide to the natural environment…. My email is: Emilydepatie_32@hotmail.com, Shawn, I have to tell you how encouraging your videos have been.