Homesteading has always been about more than self-sufficiency, and it’s no longer about survival. In this constantly evolving world homesteading is about thriving. Building families that physically, mentally, and spiritually strong. Maintaining values, that are rooted in the traditions of nature.
Homesteading Perspective
To me homesteading is about reconnecting with natural resources and the traditional methods of using them. Not for abundance but connection and the need to slow ourselves down; to appreciate each step and how it teaches us patience, resourcefulness, contentment, and family bonding.
There are so many foundational skills I’m learning well into my middle years. Traditions and skills that I was never taught. I never knew anything about food preservation, herbal medicines or caring for livestock.
These skills were not considered important to learn. I was taught how to study. The priority was college. I’m not saying this is a bad thing, if college is what you want, go for it. Don’t stop till you get there. And you will have the support of your community to achieve these goals.
But there are other skills that have a lot of value that are not embedded in reading, writing, and arithmetic. When you start building a family you’ll be developing your own priorities. You will decide what skills are most important. What do you want your children to learn more than anything else?
In my opinion learning these homesteading skills is just as important as my college education. And teaching my children these skills and why they are so important is a top priority for my family.
When I consider the value my of my family’s health, it just makes sense to provide as many homemade products as possible for my family. To know without a shadow of a doubt what my family is putting in, on, and around their body. The peace of mind that brings is immeasurable.
Suburban Communities
Suburban homesteading is appreciating our communities and the supports that are offered, while we do our best to provide a safe space for our family to grow. Homesteading in the suburbs allows us to practice some of the traditional skills in our own backyard that seem to have been lost through generations.
Tending gardens, caring for livestock, preparing a harvest and many more skills I have yet to discover; this work becomes lighter and more meaningful when it is done together with purpose.
Every successful homestead thrives on collaboration. Families, neighbors, and friends provide opportunities to trade skills, stories, and share in the satisfaction of a job well done. Tasks like transplanting seedlings or building raised beds turn into opportunities for learning, and growing together.
Living in a suburb also provides the opportunity to engage in community activities like, farmers markets, local fruit stands, or country side grocery stores. Without giving up access to things like community sports teams, city recreation, and local trade schools or junior colleges. These city resources can be a significant asset to the suburban homestead and a growing family.
The beauty of community-based homestead lies in how it balances independence with interdependence.
Connecting to Neighbors
There are some misconceptions out there about the homesteading lifestyle. Isolation is not the goal, but rather meaningful relationships with people who share similar values. There are many people out there who desire to be connected to a community that supports self-sufficiency and their own family values.
Honestly, in today’s society finding like minded people can feel intimidating. Sometimes I feel pummeled by all the negativity that can plague my thoughts around meeting new people. But sometimes you need to seek out people that have similar goals to help fulfill your homestead dreams.
For example, I’m not much of a builder. I love the thought of DIY projects but I can’t do them by myself not because I’m not willing, but because I don’t have any skill with woodworking or carpentry. I will measure wrong, I will use the wrong tools. So I seek out people who have the skills I don’t.
I think this is where technology supports homesteading. I’ll be honest social media is not my strength but its exactly what supports finding unique people. People with talents, people who are trying not just to survive but thrive by doing something they love. And no, sometimes these people are not local, but they share ideas, methods, resources, and sometimes guidance.
Now, lets not throw caution to the wind and trust everything on social media, because more than half is (in my opinion) fake. And I was very resistant to joining Facebook groups and having a public profile, but once I moved past my fear I realized the homesteading community was much larger than I expected.
It was through this technology that I found people who wanted to learn, who wanted to help each other, and who wanted a better lifestyle, a slower, more connected lifestyle. Where we cherish the work that is put into making a house into a home, guiding our own health and well being, and the future of our families.
I hope that you join us on our journey, discovering and developing skills that seemed lost. Skills that are making a comeback with the blending of technology and tradition homesteading is marked to be better than ever.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are ‘affiliate links’. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission.
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