Why Homesteading?

It seems like everywhere I look, there are more and more people homesteading. So many people are starting gardens or getting chickens. Even our own homesteading journey started with just a few chickens. But what really is homesteading and why are we redesigning our whole life in order to homestead?

Basically, homesteading is a life style of self-sufficiency. It can involve a number of different things. Some people focus on growing gardens, some on raising animals, some on making household products/items at home, some on making herbal remedies, teas, and medicines, among many others. But most people who decide to homestead do a combination of these things.

Homesteading is a way of life. It's the desire to live more closely aligned with how our ancestors have lived for thousands of years. Technology has certainly given us many advances as a species, but I think most of us recognize that with the industrial revolution and this influx of technology, our connection to the natural world and our place within it has been lost. Homesteading offers one way to reconnect with the land we live on and to be an active participant in the food we eat, the products we consume, and the kind of life we choose to live.

I have always been someone who is very interested in sustainability. I care deeply about the world that we are leaving for our children's children's children. And I am also acutely aware that the way we have been living for these past 100 years, as a result of technology and industry, is not sustainable. Not only for the earth, but also for our wellbeing.

2020 has changed a lot of things for a lot of people. A global crisis (as with any trial) gives us the opportunity to ask some big questions. Questions like, "Why am I here?" "What is really important?" "How do I want to live my life?" When faced with the ever present fact that our days are indeed numbered, it gives us the chance to be really intentional about how we choose to spend our time, if we're willing to be.

For our family, this year has made it crystal clear what our priorities really are. My husband and I spent time asking ourselves these specific questions:

1. What fills your cup?

2. What brings you joy?

3. What makes you feel alive?

4. What adds vitality to your life?

5. What matters most to you and your family?

From these questions we wrote down a list of our priorities. Some of the main priorities for us include, our faith, raising our children intentionally, being mindful of how we spend our time, quality time as a family, being in nature, eating quality food and drinking quality water, and spending time with those we love.

So we've decided to build our life around these priorities. The common thread between each of these is wanting to live a present and intentional life. That is why we've chosen to homestead. We are designing our life in such a way that we are able to live these priorities day in and day out.

So, while most people might look at homesteading as having a garden, raising some animals, or as cute instagram idea, we see homesteading as an answer to our question, "What matters most to you and your family." (But yes, it still all started with a few chickens.)

Silky, Baba, and Bernadette

Have a beautiful day!

Lindsay

#homesteading