If I could do it again: 10 Things I’d do Different if I was a New Homesteadmaker™
We all have moments that looking back, we just may have done it a little different. I get asked a lot of questions about Homesteading. Little questions, big questions and everything in-between. So I wanted to share 10 things that came to mind of what I would have done different.
Thinking it has to be “perfect”. Since when is anything perfect? Why in the world do we do this to ourselves? I thought that it had to be exactly how I had it in my mind or it was a failure. No matter the topic under the Homesteading umbrella, it’s never going to be perfect, or done, or just the way we want it and it never needs changing or tweaking. Letting go of the “perfect or it’s a failure” attitude is a must if I was starting as a new Homesteadmaker.
Keep it simple. I’ll be the first to admit I want to do it all, have it all, and be it all. Starting small is good for many reasons. But when you stretch yourself so thin trying to do/learn everything, nothing gets done well. Pick one kind of poultry to raise. Pick one new plant to grow. Pick one new skill to learn. Pick one new food to cook from scratch. No matter what category of homesteading, keeping it simple will actually help you grow faster. Think of it as packing clothes in a backpack for a trip. Is it easier to fit your clothes in the bag if you throw them all together and shove them in, or if you take one article of clothing and fold, roll, and pack? Not only can you fit them in easier one at a time, the backpack will be easier to carry AND the clothes will look better when you wear them too.
Find other Homesteadmakers to be around in person. Isolation and alienation are the demise of anyone much less a new Homesteadmaker. You are not alone. You aren’t the only one that wants to homestead. You aren’t the only one that struggles. You aren’t the only one that thinks you messed up. You aren’t the only one….. Finding other Homesteadmakers to be around not only helps you, it helps them too. Online connection is good but in person connection is best in my opinion.
Get Away. I would make getting away from the homestead a requirement. Homesteadmaking can be all consuming and easily lead to burnout. Getting away here and there doesn’t just give you a break. It also gives perspective. No matter if you get away to somewhere that is similar to your homesteading life or the complete opposite. Both can help give you clarity on what you want to do different or what you want to pursue more.
Ask for help. Some people don’t have trouble asking for help no matter how small. But for me it’s still hard to ask. It goes back to wanting to do it all. I would at least ask for help with big things. Making it a social moment. Make sure you offer to help others as well.
Be selective. This is similar to keeping it simple. But more on the side of being picky. It’s better to have less quantity with better quality. Wether it be plants, animals, tools, equipment, supplies etc. It will be worth the investment to go quality over quantity.
Have an accountability partner outside of the homestead. This could be another Homesteadmaker but it doesn’t have to be. It could be anyone from a friend to a coach. They don’t need to want to homestead too. They just need to be someone that cares about you enough to keep you accountable for what you are working on. It doesn’t just give you someone to be accountable to. It also helps keep you from jumping from one thing to the next and not finishing something you started.
Have fun with it. Some things you have to do aren’t fun. But if you can make it fun…do it. I’ve been known to just start talking in other accents than my natural southern country girl accent. The work becomes more fun and goes by faster.
Why? Why do I want to homestead? What am I doing it for? I’d write it down and put it on the wall to be able to read it every day.
Slow down. Realize it’s not about the seeds in the packet, but about the seeds of memories that are being planted.
These are just some of what I would do different and recommend to any new Homesteadmaker. If you try any of these let me know how it goes for you.
Your Homesteadmaker,
Neva