Homesteading is a lifestyle of self-sufficiency. It’s all about sustaining yourself through agriculture, preservation and could even involve making your own clothes. It’s all about living with what you have and making your own way of life instead of relying on others. This post is all about the practical approach to homesteading.
The Practical Approach To Homesteading
Why Homestead?
But why? Why would anyone decide to homestead instead of just being content with their lives in the city? There are actually many different reasons to homestead, and we’ll be exploring them quickly here:
- You want a change in lifestyle.
- You want to learn more about where our food and drink comes from.
- A greener lifestyle that takes care of the planet sounds like something you want to be a part of.
- You think you’d enjoy the responsibilities involved.
If any of those four reasons appeal to you, then let’s delve deeper into the world of homesteading and give you a guide on how to take a practical approach to this unique way of life.
Learning to Garden
Firstly, you’ll want to learn how to garden. Whether it’s how to sow seeds, the seasons to plant or even how to harvest, you’ll need to build up some knowledge and skills in order to grow your own food. You may need to use some equipment that you may have to borrow for your homestead. You might consider towing services to help you move these large vehicles around (especially if you’re relocating from the city to the country). Lastly, you could always ask for help from others who have embraced homesteading.
Food Preparation
Stockpiling your food is important for homesteading. When you grow your own crops, you’re going to have a lot of excesses and it’s either sold for extra income or it’s preserved and frozen to be eaten later. Making the most of your crops is important, so prioritize food preparation and preservation as an early skill to learn.
Living Frugally
When you prepare to homestead, you’re going to spend a lot of time decluttering your home and shrinking the number of belongings you have. This is because homesteaders are usually frugal people that see value in everything they own and aim to have the least amount of excess as possible. You want to make the most of your space, your funds and ultimately have a simplified lifestyle.
DIY Skills
It’s usually important to hire contractors to help fix your home problems, but a homesteader is self-reliant and needs to embrace the DIY lifestyle. From basic carpentry to plumbing skills, make sure you learn to do things on your own so you don’t need to call a neighbor or a friend just to get something simple fixed. This takes practice, so don’t be afraid if you fail the first couple of times.
Final Words
Homesteading is a fantastic alternative way to live your life. However, it does require a lot of planning and you’re going to need to approach it differently to how you currently live. Thankfully, it’s a rewarding and relaxing lifestyle once you learn the ropes. It’s not for everyone, but you can always give it a try to see if it suits your approach to life. Are you ready to start homesteading yet?
Great tips, AnnMarie! Just found this post on the Simple Homestead Hop. 🙂
THanks, Lisa!