Let’s get real about homesteading life! You’ve seen those dreamy posts everywhere, right? The simple life, self-sufficiency, all that bull butter. Well, here’s the scoop – we’re chatting about balance and the truth that, nope, you don’t have to be 100% self-sufficient. Can you believe it? A homesteader sharing the real deal of modern homesteading, where being completely self-reliant is not the only way to roll!
You don’t have to be 100% self sufficient.
You know, diving into the homestead lifestyle, is like chasing after that simple life everyone’s talking about. But let’s be real, trying to be 100% self-sufficient these days? It’s like trying to balance a bunch of spinning plates, and trust me when I say, it’s not always pretty. I mean, picture this: you’re wrangling your milk cow and your beef cows, playing chicken whisperer, growing your own veggies, preserving like you’re in a time capsule, whipping up meals from scratch, playing mom or dad of the year, and oh yeah, holding down a 9 to 5. It’s like juggling a circus, right? All why trying to become a pro at each of these new skills? That is a full-time job within itself. Why stress about being the master of everything?
How about this for an idea: you get awesome at, say, baking bread and herding chickens, and let someone else be the master gardener. Teamwork makes the dream work, right? Think of it like a homesteading potluck – everyone brings their specialty, and together, we create a vibe that’s all about sharing the load. It’s not about proving you can do it all alone; it’s about building a homesteading community where each person brings their A-game to the table. Master a couple of things you love and bring you so much joy, and let your neighbors shine in their areas. That way, you’ve got your own little slice of self-sufficiency without the burnout. I’m not saying don’t try your hand at something. Try everything until you find the balance that works for you. Raise what you want to raise and grow a small garden with your favorite things and then find someone in your community to fill in the gaps.
Dive into whatever makes you happy and brings you joy. Try your hand at everything until you find that sweet spot. Whether it’s raising the animals you love or nurturing a little vegetable garden with your favorite veggies, make it yours. Then find people in your community to fill in the gaps. Justin and I? We’re like the trial-and-error homesteaders. We are up for anything at least once. It’s like a crash course in being ready for anything life throws our way. Here’s the thing – we’re not pulling off the homesteading lifestyle alone. Oh no, we’ve got the dream team, aka us and my parents. Without them, let’s be real, we couldn’t do even half of the things we do.
They like to be behind the scenes and are living that retired life. Teaming up with family members means we’ve got the luxury of some hired help too. It’s like unlocking a whole new level of what’s possible. But we are still getting raw milk and more from people in our community because even with being in a partnership, we simply can’t do it all. You know, there’s this myth floating around that being a homesteader means you’re this lone wolf, 100% self-reliant. Nah, back in the day, even when homesteading was just life, people traded, bartered, and leaned on their neighbors for what they couldn’t do themselves.
Our modern society, is all about keeping to yourself and your immediate family. But let me tell you, there’s magic in community. Tap into it, lean on it, because trying to do it all alone? That’s like choosing hard mode when there’s a different way. The homesteading lifestyle is about finding your rhythm and utilizing other people’s skills who’ve got the moves you don’t. Don’t you agree?
We still go the grocery store and our local feed and tac store weekly!
Guess what? We’re not homesteading hermits – we hit up the grocery store and our local feed and tac store weekly! Yeah, we’re spilling the beans (or maybe the chicken feed) – even though our feathery buddies roam free most of the time, we’re still shelling out for chicken feed. Especially in the winter, those cluckers need a little extra TLC. Sure, we’ve got our trusty scrap bucket to cut some corners, but let’s be real, it doesn’t always cut it. Then there’s the pigs, the four-legged furball, and the moo cows. They’ve got their own special diet – grain, dog food, and the occasional sweet feed as a treat.
I mean, have you seen those YouTubers and bloggers going on about growing their own feed for the whole barnyard? Props to them, but not all of us have a homestead the size of Texas or time that stretches to forever. Why not embrace what’s within reach? And then there’s the grocery store – we’re not DIY-ing every single morsel. Don’t get me wrong, we’re not cruising the aisles for meat or bread – we’ve got that sorted on our small farm. But snacks, pasta, and the rest of the other odds and ends. Time’s not always on our side for that level of culinary expertise. Let’s talk veggies – without a greenhouse, winter’s not exactly handing out fresh produce, is it? Sure, we’ve got our stash of preserved goodies from the garden, but sometimes you just crave the crisp crunch of fresh veggies. It’s all about balance, right? So, we’re rocking the homestead life, but we’re not afraid to grab a few goodies from the aisles and feed store. How about you?
Breaking the mold: Homesteading without Raising Your Own Meat
We’re all about giving things a shot at least once to figure out our preferences. When I (Kourtney) was around 6 months pregnant, Justin and I, with a couple of friends, decided to dive into raising and culling our own meat chickens. Sure, it was an experience, and we’re grateful for the knowledge, but truth be told, it wasn’t exactly our favorite thing. it was a one and done type of deal unless it’s absolutely necessary. It wasn’t that they were necessarily a lot of work.. they were just a little bit gross. I think it was the type of meat chick’s we got (Cornish Cross) and if we ever do it again, that is the first tweak we’ll make.
There are in some parts of the country where there are small animal butchers that once your meat chickens are ready to butcher you can take them there and they will do it all, even flash freeze and vacuum seal. Where we are in central, Utah there isn’t any small butchers. I would research to see if you have one close to you as it is totally worth it. Looking for a Utah Farm or Homesteader near you? Check out our Utah Farm Finder.
We’re love raising other animals for meat, especially because, for now, we don’t have to do the butchering ourselves. If raising your own meat isn’t obtainable right now or ever, you can team up with local farmers or fellow homesteaders for different meat varieties. It’s a win-win – you still know where your food comes from, it usually saves you money compared to the grocery store, and we call it community sufficiency. Trying to handle all your own meat can be a hefty investment, not just for your wallet but also for your physical and mental well-being. Stay within your homestead means.
Achieve balance by doing what works for you!
Here’s the grand finale, – find your homesteading groove and don’t sweat the small stuff. Dive into your homesteading journey with gusto because there’s no one-size-fits-all, no rulebook, and definitely no gold standard. The most important thing is to find your own unique balance. Don’t let the overwhelming chatter about the “right” way to homestead get to you. There is no right way; there’s your way. It’s like a DIY project for your lifestyle – mix and match, experiment, and find what feels right for you. And guess what? You don’t have to go it alone. Lean on your community, whether it’s family, friends, or friendly neighbors. There’s power in sharing the load and pooling your strengths. The homestead journey is as much about the people you surround yourself with as it is about the land and animals.
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