Being a homesteader will give you a chance to enjoy life more as you make your home self-sufficient. While this kind of well-balanced self-reliant lifestyle requires some hard work on your part, the end result will be well worth the effort. (h/t to OldWorldGardenFarms.com)
Why should you become a homesteader?
Becoming a homesteader is the first step to being responsible for most of your own food. It also gives you a chance to have an active role in creating most of what you need with your own hands. The choice to become self-sufficient also allows you to stop and smell the roses as you and your whole family work together to build a more fulfilling life for yourselves.
Here are six tips that help you create a self-sufficient life and home.
Learn that it's all right to fail.
Like with any lesson, you learn how to become self-sufficient by failing several times. If you fail at something, remember what you did wrong so you can succeed the next time you try the same project.
Don't let failure stop you. Keep trying until you learn how to do something properly, which is key to becoming a self-sufficient person.
Grow your own food.
To be healthier and more self-sufficient, start by cultivating your own vegetable garden. Growing your own food is one of the best ways to save money and be more self-reliant.
Food is expensive, and growing your own fruits and vegetables will help keep your pantry full. In fact, a USA Today article revealed that "it can cost anywhere from $175 to $275 per week to feed a family of four." You can easily save on your food costs by tending your own vegetable garden.
Home gardening is also satisfying. Growing something for your family can help change your entire outlook, especially as you start to realize that life is more than staring at the screens of your computer and phone.
If you have some land behind your house, start a garden. If you have a patio, create a few planters and grow potted herbs and vegetables.
If you live in a smaller house, ask around and rent a small plot. Another option is to join a community garden and create your own space to grow fresh produce.
Your garden won't just feed your family, it also gives you access to a quiet workout space and meditation area. Check on your garden whenever you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life and clear your mind as you tend to your plants.
Preserve your food.
Knowing how to preserve food can also help you save on the grocery bills. If you have excess produce after harvest season, preserving them ensures that you have access to fruits and vegetables throughout the year.
Common food preservation methods that are easy to learn include:
- Canning
- Drying
- Freezing
- Jellying
- Pickling
- Potting
- Salting
If you don't have land to grow your own produce, buy in bulk at farmer’s markets or from a local grower. Aside from helping you save more money, preserving your own food also eliminates harmful additives and preservatives from your diet.
Work with basic tools.
When you live a self-sufficient lifestyle, you learn how to work with basic tools so you can build and repair more things at home. It may seem daunting, but it's not as hard as you think.
Start with the basics, like fixing a door, and be patient. Knowing how to work with tools is key if you truly want to make your home self-sufficient. Borrow books from the library, or watch how-to and DIY instruction videos online to learn how to use basic tools. (Related: 10 things city folk just don’t understand: The joys of homesteading and self-reliance.)
Declutter.
You need to be more organized to keep your home stress-free and self-sufficient. Tidy up at home or at the office, or wherever you spend most of your time. Remember, clutter doesn't just increase stress, it can also make you unproductive.
Start getting rid of things you don’t need and don’t use. Donate or sell these items, and don't buy anything unless you really need it. Recycle things that aren't valuable, just as long as you clear the clutter.
Aside from helping you save on household finances, decluttering can help cut your stress levels in half.
Work on achieving your dream whenever you can.
If cultivating a home garden stresses you out, start small. Set aside some time every day so you can work in your garden.
Whatever your dream is, spend at least 15 minutes on it every day to make things more manageable.
Work hard and get the whole family on board so you can all learn how to become a self-sufficient homesteader.
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