Why Do You Want to Homestead?

So, you’re thinking about homesteading, perhaps dreaming of growing your own food, making your own clothes, living off the land, or going off-grid?

There’s a stirring within you that where you’re at right now isn’t where you’d like to stay. You’re longing for something, and you’ve watched others who live the homesteading life. You ask yourself: “Is this the lifestyle I’m yearning for?”

If so, you’re not alone, my friend. There’s a growing trend of people leaving the cities and suburbs to go “back to the land.” Heck, there’s even rural people who want to do more than just live in the country. They too, are seeking a more meaningful lifestyle. And some people have found a way to homestead in the cities, including apartment homesteading.

Ask any of them “Why?” and no two answers will be the same, yet they all desire a homesteading lifestyle.

But what is your Why?

Why do you want to homestead?

I’d like to help you answer that question today. Let’s break down exactly what Modern Homesteading is, create your personal definition, and establish your Why.

Contents

• What is Modern Homesteading?
• What Does Homesteading Mean to Me?
• What is My Why?
• Inspiring Journal/Discussion Prompts
• Final Thoughts

Section 1: What is Modern Homesteading?

Modern homesteading refers to a contemporary approach to self-sufficient and sustainable living that embraces elements of traditional homesteading practices using modern tools, technology, and knowledge.

It is a chosen lifestyle that is gaining popularity among all generations. Each person’s approach is unique, but the common principles such as self-reliance, simpler living, and environmental stewardship create what is known today as Modern Homesteading.

Key Characteristics of Modern Homesteading

1. Simple living and minimalism: Modern homesteaders often seek simplicity and minimalist practices, choosing intentional living over a consumer-driven culture. Focus shifts to valuing experience over material accumulation.
2. Self-Reliance and skill building: Modern homesteaders practice time-honored skills such as gardening, natural healing, food preservation, carpentry, sewing, and more. They rely on their own skills which increases self-assurance, resourcefulness, and taking responsibility for one’s actions and outcomes.
3. Sustainable food production: Modern homesteaders prioritize growing their own food as much as possible. This gives them control over how their food is grown, food security, pesticide and fertilizer control, best flavor, and quality.
4. Energy efficiency and renewable energy resources: Modern homesteaders strive to reduce their dependence on the larger energy systems and instead, seek out renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind, and other energy-efficient practices. “Living off-grid” is a term often heard in homesteading communities.
5. A connection to nature: Modern homesteaders seek out a connection to nature to get away from a constantly plugged-in society. Gardening, outdoor activities, practicing permaculture, and deepening knowledge of the natural world are some of the ways people reconnect with nature.
6. Foster community: Modern homesteaders live in community. Online social groups, community gardens, pot-luck events, and visiting farmer’s markets, are some of the ways they connect. Creating intentional communities to share resources, knowledge, and support are essential.

Homesteaders employ numerous lifestyle choices beyond these examples as everyone’s circumstances and goals are different. Overall, modern homesteading is a conscious choice to pursue self-sufficiency, sustainability, and live a simpler, more fulfilling life in a modern world.

Section 2: What Does Homesteading Mean to Me?

Now that we’ve defined Modern Homesteading in general, I’d like you to define modern homesteading for you, personally. This is a different definition than your “Why” which is what we will focus on in the next section.

As an example, here is how my husband and I define homesteading for us:

“Homesteading to us is an approach to living out the rest of our lives in a self-reliant and sustainable way. This includes growing and preserving our own food, learning skills to build and repair, being good neighbors, supporting local small businesses, enjoying nature and being outside as much as possible. It is using our skills, knowledge, and homestead-created goods to generate income and be more financially self-reliant.”

Alisa & Mike

Now, I’d like to give you a little homework.

I invite you to create your own definition of what Modern Homesteading means to you.

You can write your definition in the first section of the worksheet at the bottom of this post titled: Why Do I Want to Homestead?

After you’ve created your definition, we’ll move on to the next section and answer the most important question you should ask yourself before beginning a homesteading lifestyle: “Why do I want to Homestead?”

Section 3: What is My Why?

Just as there are individual meanings to homesteading, the same is true of the Why. Everyone’s life experiences, personal values, and circumstances will create unique answers to the why’s of pursuing a modern homesteading lifestyle.

Here is a quick list of reasons others have chosen to homestead. How many do you identify with?

• Self-sufficiency and self-reliance
• Seeking a simpler lifestyle
• Escape the urban life
• Sustainability and environmental consciousness
• Connection to nature
• Health and well-being
• Food security and quality
• Financial independence and stability
• Work-life balance
• Entrepreneurial opportunities
• Community and connection
• Desire for authenticity and meaning
• Midlife reflection and evaluation
• Intergenerational connections

Now, it’s time to draft your Why Statement.

If you share a household with others (as most of us do), then each of you should create your own Why Statement and then work together to create a family household Why Statement. It is important to involve all family members in this process, as living this lifestyle will affect everyone.

Use the following steps to create both your personal and family Why Statements.

1. Gather ideas into one place. Write in a journal, create a vision board, make lists, brainstorm with others, create a video … whatever works for you. As a family, get everyone’s input, their perspectives, and aspirations.
2. Reflect. Take time to seriously consider what this will involve. This may be a large lifestyle change, or small steps taken to achieve new lifestyle goals.
3. Define your vision. What is your overall purpose? How do you see your family living on the homestead? Discuss together and narrow down your whys until everyone can agree on what will represent your family’s whys.
4. Finalize and write out your Why Statement. Display it where everyone can see it as a constant reminder of your shared purpose and values. Celebrate the beginning of your journey into a new and exciting lifestyle.
5. Reevaluate. Remember that “life happens.” It will be necessary from time-to-time to reevaluate your Why Statement and adjust accordingly.

Your Why Statement will serve as a guiding light, grounding your family’s decisions and actions as you pursue your homesteading journey together.

Inspiring Journal/Discussion Prompts

Here are some questions to ask yourself and family members. I hope they help you on your Why discovery.

• When did I first consider homesteading and what piqued my interest?
• What do I like about homesteading?
• What do I want to do differently in my life?
• How will homesteading make my life better?
• What is a “day-in-the-life” I imagine being on my homestead?
• How do I envision my homestead 3, 5, and 10 years into the future?
• What do I most look forward to doing as a homesteader?
• I want to homestead because…

Download your FREE worksheet: Why Do I Want to Homestead?

Final Thoughts

Once you’ve found your Why, I’d love to hear what it is!

Send me an email: admin@ourfrugalfloridahomestead.com

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Happy homesteading!

Alisa

Download your FREE worksheet: Why Do I Want to Homestead?