A few months ago we podcasted and blogged about the important subject of preparing to homestead. We even wrote an Ebook with accompanying worksheets walking you through the steps we talk about to help get you ready for the big move. Since then we (and many other old-time homesteaders we’ve spoken to) have seen people come and go; people who seemed committed to homesteading choosing, instead, to throw in the towel. Upon realizing it isn’t all dreams, sunshine, abundant food, and porch-sitting, but instead is filled with daily work, struggle, sacrifice, and commitment in the face of difficulty, it turned out to be a little too burdensome and they opted for a different life. I am not judging at all, as a matter of fact, I am writing this to highlight the realities of the demanding voyage you will be embarking upon. It is hard and, daily, it is a matter of choosing to keep pushing forward despite setbacks and financial challenges (which are bound to come if they aren’t there to begin with). Homesteading is not a job, it’s a way of life, the choice to live simpler, closer to nature and further from the ease and comfort of suburban or urban living.

Homesteading is choosing to grow your own food and eat seasonally rather than buy it all at the grocery store.

It means lovingly raising animals, in the way they’re meant to live, all the while knowing you will butcher them to feed your family.

Homesteading is a change in your thinking, looking for creative ways to generate additional income, because after all we need money to function in today’s society no matter how off grid you want to live.

Poultry Processing is another stream of income at The Prepared Homestead

Homesteading is deciding to be a life-long learner through books, courses, and people who have gone before you; there is no room for pride here. It means building a community of other homesteaders who are living out what they believe too, fueling each other on – these people are real, they don’t hide their struggles and you can trust them with yours.

It’s easy to believe this is the lifestyle for you when you see photos of seemingly idyllic lives being lived in the country.

What you don’t see is the hours of labor those homesteaders are sacrificing every day, the nights they spend pouring over their finances to figure out how they will make ends meet this month. Homesteading takes determination, a type of grit that can only be developed through the fire, and the resolve to endure even when times get tough.

Is every day hard? No, but there are seasons that certainly are, especially in the beginning. So our advice to you, when you begin your journey into this lifestyle, be prepared, be committed, be steadfast, resolve to succeed and you will. If you are married, be each others cheering squad and motivators; remind each other of your dreams and your “whys”. When you are in a tough season remembering these things that will get you through. In the end, the freedom and security you build through homesteading is worth it. Just don’t deceive yourself into believing it will be easy, it won’t, but most things in life worth having aren’t.