Homesteading is often romanticized, but there are realities that many people don’t consider before diving in. Homesteading is a deeply rewarding yet challenging lifestyle that requires dedication, resilience, and a willingness to embrace both the joys and the hardships that come with it. While many people are drawn to the idea of living off the land and achieving self-sufficiency, there are numerous aspects of homesteading that often go unmentioned. Here are 10 things no one tells you about homesteading:
The Emotional Rollercoaster
Homesteading is not just about planting seeds and raising animals; it’s a journey filled with highs and lows that can take a toll on your emotions. From the excitement of seeing your first crop sprout to the heartbreak of losing a beloved animal, homesteading is a constant rollercoaster of emotions. Learning to navigate these ups and downs is an essential part of the homesteading experience. I have experienced this firsthand from losing piglets to watching my first milk calf I bought myself getting ready to welcome her first calf in just a matter of months. The highs are fantastic and the lows suck, but you learn that they are all just part of this life. Here’s a picture of Clover and Delailah that Clover decided didn’t need to be weaned any longer.
The Importance of Community
While homesteading may seem like a solitary endeavor, community support is invaluable. Whether it’s swapping seeds or bread with neighbors, sharing tips and advice, lending a helping hand during busy times, having a strong community of fellow homesteaders can make all the difference. I have found this to be so true my father is my biggest advocate and the one I turn to when I have questions I don’t know the answers too. I have also bartered with This Sourdough bread, it is so good and easy to make.
The Reality of Sacrifice
Homesteading often requires sacrificing certain comforts and conveniences in exchange for a simpler, more self-reliant lifestyle. This may mean foregoing vacations or expensive purchases in favor of investing time and resources into your homestead. It’s a choice that requires careful consideration and commitment.
The Learning Curve Never Ends
No matter how much research you do or how many skills you acquire before starting your homestead, there will always be more to learn. From mastering new gardening techniques to troubleshooting animal health issues, the learning curve in homesteading is steep and never-ending.
The Importance of Adaptability
Homesteading requires a high degree of adaptability, as you must constantly adjust to changing weather conditions, fluctuating market demands, and unexpected challenges. Flexibility and resilience are essential traits for successful homesteaders.
The Unpredictability of Income
While homesteading can be a source of income through selling surplus produce or products, it’s essential to recognize that this income can be unpredictable. Factors such as weather conditions, pest infestations, and market fluctuations can all impact your earnings, making financial planning challenging.
The Reality of Hard Decisions
Homesteading inevitably involves making difficult decisions, whether it’s culling a sick animal, euthanizing a beloved pet, or abandoning a crop that’s failing to thrive. These decisions can weigh heavily on the homesteader and require a balance of practicality and compassion.
The Loneliness of the Night Shift
While the peace and quiet of the homestead can be refreshing during the day, the nights can be long and lonely, especially during calving or farrowing season or when facing a crisis such as a predator attack. The responsibility of caring for animals around the clock can be physically and emotionally draining. I have spent numerous nights out in the barns waiting on an animal to farrow. This was the morning after setting up with Clarkie all night because she was in labor.
The Reality of Failure
Despite your best efforts, failure is an inevitable part of homesteading. Crops will fail, animals will get sick, and mistakes will be made. Learning to accept and bounce back from failure is an essential skill for any homesteader. Sometimes these failures are completely out of your control, like losing fences or hay to a fire that spread to quickly to be contained. We were sad that we lost a hive of bees, but very lucky that we didn’t lose any cattle that go around.
The Intangible Rewards
While homesteading can be challenging and demanding, the rewards go far beyond the tangible benefits of fresh produce and self-sufficiency. There’s a profound sense of fulfillment that comes from living in harmony with nature, nurturing life, and being part of a timeless tradition of self-reliance. It’s a lifestyle that nourishes the soul as much as it does the body.
It’s Hard Work
Homesteading requires physical labor, often more than expected. From tilling the soil to caring for animals, there’s always something demanding attention. Homesteading is hard work for several reasons, reflecting the multitude of responsibilities and challenges inherent in maintaining a self-sufficient lifestyle:
Long Hours
Homesteading is not a 9-to-5 job; it’s a lifestyle that demands long hours and unwavering dedication. There’s always something to be done, whether it’s feeding the animals before dawn, watering the garden after sunset, or mending a fence on a weekend.
The Perpetual Battle Against Pests and Predators
Homesteading often means contending with a wide array of pests and predators that threaten your crops and animals. From voracious insects and hungry rodents to cunning predators like foxes and coyotes, protecting your homestead requires constant vigilance and creative strategies.
The Mental Strain of Self-Sufficiency
While the idea of self-sufficiency is appealing, the reality can be mentally taxing. The pressure of providing for yourself and your family entirely from your homestead can be overwhelming at times, leading to feelings of anxiety and self-doubt. Learning to balance self-sufficiency with self-care is crucial for maintaining mental well-being.
The Burden of Decision-Making
Homesteading puts you in charge of every aspect of your livelihood, from what to plant in your garden to how to handle a sick animal. This level of responsibility can feel burdensome at times, especially when faced with tough decisions that impact the welfare of your homestead and its inhabitants.
The Challenge of Letting Go of Expectations
Many aspiring homesteaders enter the lifestyle with romanticized notions of a simple, idyllic existence. However, the reality of homesteading is often far messier and more chaotic than anticipated. Letting go of rigid expectations and embracing the unpredictability of life on the homestead is essential for finding joy and fulfillment in the journey. I had this idea of what our homestead would look like, what animals we would have and what I would grow. I have had to learn to let these ideas go because they definitely were not visable ideas. Take Millie before we bought her I had an idea of what the first cow i would bring home would look like. It definitely wasn’t a rough looking calf who I wasn’t sure if she would even make it very long. This is her when we bought her from the sale barn.
Her is 2022 when we got her versus her just the other day when she decided that she wanted to go for a walk down the road and followed me out of the gate.
Despite the challenges, many homesteaders find fulfillment in the self-sufficiency, connection to nature, and sense of purpose that homesteading provides. However, it’s essential to recognize and appreciate the hard work and dedication required to make a homestead thrive.
