5 Reasons to Not Jump On The Homesteading Trend
Have you seen the homesteading trend on social media? The romanticized version of milking cows and baking fresh bread? Here are 5 reasons why it’s not a good idea to hop on the homesteading band wagon.
What is Homesteading?
Modern homesteading is growing your own food, raising livestock, and making your own household goods, such as soap and cleaning products, while utilizing sustainable and eco-friendly practices. One of the main benefits of modern homesteading is self-sufficiency.
My Homestead Journey
I was like you just a few short years ago. Farmhouse on Boone (one of my favorite youtube channels) was gaining popularity. It seemed like such a beautiful and simple life. I was trapped in an apartment I hated. I needed land, goats, and to bake fresh bread. What I craved was that simple farm life.
So, in 2019, we bought a home in the country with 1 acre of land. My husband now had a 45 minute commute and the closest grocery store was 30 minutes way. It was quiet, it was serene, it was perfect. Until, I learned firsthand these 5 things about homesteading.
It’s Hard Work
Most homesteading content is romanticized. I don’t think homestead content creators are trying to trick us. I’m not blaming them. I had this idea that homesteading was relaxing and simple. Simple doesn’t mean easy though, I would soon learn. Cleaning up our property took a week. Mowing an acre took hours. Praise the Lord we never got that goat, even though we had a goat pin. I had no idea just how much work homesteading took. Add on homeschooling, raising kids, or possibly working full time. You will not have the time. Most homesteaders are full time farmers. It’s not for everyone. Simple yes, easy no.
It’s Expensive
In 2024, interest rates are high and house prices are still astronomical. If you want a plot of land, it’s going to cost a LOT. Most people are struggling to pay their bills and feed their families right now. Not to mention the cost of animals, feed, equipment, gardening tools, and more. Now is not a great time to transition to a homesteading life.
It isn’t Glamourous
It seems beautiful, but it’s sweaty, dirty, and stinky. Maybe not all aspects, but raising animals is anything but glamourous. Sitting on a riding mower for 2 hours in the hot July sun is rough.
It Requires Learning
A friend recently texted me and asked if I’ve ever made my own bread. She had come across the homesteading category on Tiktok and had seen a lot of bread making. I told her I did and I had actually just started my sourdough for the first time. What I didn’t mention was how many tries it took me to find a bread recipe that I didn’t screw up. Or how long I had toyed with even starting sourdough. If you’re starting from absolute scratch, you will have a lot to learn. If you’ve never gardened, that will take a lot of time and research. I enjoy fresh made bread, but it definitely takes time, not to mention trial and error. It’s a lot of time, research, and practice.
It Takes Patience
Once you learn all the things, it also takes patience. Your garden won’t grow immediately, your chickens won’t lay eggs today, and your sourdough starter takes a week to get going. You’re not going to see immediate results when you live a homesteading lifestyle.
How to Embrace Homesteading Where You Are
You don’t have to leave your house in the city for a farm to embrace some of the homesteading aspects of a simple life. Pick one thing that interests you about homesteading. Maybe it’s growing a garden, baking bread, or making your own soap. Start learning what you can about it. Enjoy it as a hobby and reap the benefits of your bounty. Once you master that, move on to another. I never had a garden or canned when I lived on my 1 acre, but I do now that I have more time and freedom in my home in the city. Now that I don’t spend 4 hours a week on yard work, I can focus on my garden and my bread making.
Is Homesteading For You?
This lifestyle isn’t for everyone. I still love watching the videos, but I sure learned my lesson. If you’re still not scared off after reading this, good for you! If you really truly want to live this lifestyle and already implement several of these into your life now, wherever you are, there’s a good chance you can live a more self-sustainable life on your dream homestead.
There you have it. I hope you see that I actually love the IDEA of homesteading. The actual life style is challenging and not for everyone. So next time you watch a homesteading video on youtube or tiktok, just remember how hard that person is really working.
