It’s a strange thing in some ways, but most of us start homesteading to give us an opportunity of a simpler life. Yet it can end up being overly complicated! When you are starting to get grips with a homestead and trying to make it profitable, livable and comfortable, it’s something of a time drain. You end up focusing on the work, don’t have time to play, and may even start missing those quality moments you were expecting to have with your family. If this sounds familiar, read on. There are plenty of things you can do to make it work, however – let’s take a closer look at how to start balancing life with homesteading.
Balancing Life With Homesteading
One job at a time
First of all, part of your problem might be that you are trying to do everything at the same time. It’s a common problem with homesteading. You have a million and one things to do and try to fight fires all the time rather than working through your tasks logically. So, make a change. Start one new thing and get comfortable with it before moving on to something else. For example, if you want chickens – buy a coop, focus on one breed, and get yourself at ease with working with them before moving on to cows or goats. One job at a time. You’ll soon find you manage everything a lot better than you did before.
Enforce breaks
The trouble with working for yourself is that there are only so many hours in the day, and you only have one pair of hands. Even if you work solidly for 24/7, there will still be things that need doing. It’s that kind of non-stop lifestyle. But the reality is that you do need to stop, so planning for regular breaks is vital. Homestead overwhelm is common but can be avoided. Not only will you suffer, but your homestead, family, and life in general will, too.
Pass on responsibilities
When you are just starting out in homesteading, there’s a good chance you are still earning money from other areas. But given how hard it is for full-time homestead owners, how can you possibly find the time if you’re doing other tasks for other jobs? Is there a way of passing on responsibilities? For example, let’s say you are renting out your old home. Could you pass over the responsibility to a property management franchise or housing management group instead? Similarly, if you are still running your business, how about delegating to others to cover you and give you some extra time? There’s plenty you can do with some creative thinking.
Build a good support network
While the homestead community is very helpful with each other, the reality is that most of your friends won’t be homesteaders. Some will give you incredible support, and others won’t really understand what your life is like now. So, it’s vital that you reach out to others in the homesteading community and get help in as many ways as possible. Try finding communities on Facebook or other social media sites. And feel free to drop us a line here, too! These are some great ways to learn about balancing life while homesteading.
Make a plan
Planning is so important when homesteading. You can’t go at homesteading haphazardly. You need a plan of action for every step of the way. Whether it is short-term or long-term, a plan makes the day go smoother. Set up your goals and decide your priorities. Knowing what you are planning on helps you to be better prepared. Make a vision board and post in an obvious spot to remind you what you are working towards.
Now you have some excellent tips on balancing life with your homesteading plans. Use these tips to simplify life and make your homesteading journey a rewarding one.
1 Comment