How to homestead for beginners, learn new skills, and avoid burnout. Learn how to homestead no matter where you are!
What is homesteading?
Homesteading is all about creating a sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle. While many people think of a homestead being on many of acres of land, but the truth is, you can homestead no matter where you live.
Homesteading is about living simply and taking charge of your basic needs. Homesteaders can grow their own food, raise animals like chickens for eggs and meat, cook from scratch and preserve food, and use eco-friendly methods to reduce their impact on the environment. Some do all of these things, and some pick and choose what is a priority for them.
The essence of homesteading lies in getting hands-on with activities like gardening, canning, and bread making. It’s not just a way of doing things; it’s a mindset that values independence, sustainability, and a simpler way of life.
Homesteaders can find joy in growing their own produce and making things themselves, embracing a simpler way of life that’s more intentional and in tune with the land.
Where to start?
Whenever anyone asks me how to start homesteading, I recommend they start small. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and homesteads aren’t either! Choose one item you use regularly in your home and challenge yourself to make that item for a month. It can be as small as making breadcrumbs, or a batch of ranch dressing.
Pick a task, research, experiment, and become confident in that skill. The #1 way to get burnout with this lifestyle is to overwhelm yourself.
Good “starter projects” for beginning homesteaders
- Food from scratch- start with something simple, like taco or ranch seasoning, crackers, or a simple sandwich bread loaf made with yeast. Replace one item your family uses regularly, master the recipe, and move onto the next.
- Cleaning products-there are tons of recipes online for easy cleaners using basic household ingredients.
- Growing herbs-herbs can be grown on a windowsill, and will add delicious flavors to your meals.
No Acres? No Problem!
Typically, the primary goal of a homestead is to create a lifestyle where you actively participate in the cultivation of your own food, aim for simplicity, and develop skills that promote self-sufficiency.
The good news: You can work on these skills no matter your living situation!
No land? Live in town, or even in an city apartment? NO PROBLEM! You can grow food and cook from scratch no matter your space.
Vegetables can be grown in pots on a balcony, food can be canned and stored in a closet, and a loaf pan for homemade bread takes up very little space.
Modern homesteading is more of a state of mind than an actual home located on acres. Don’t be afraid to start, no matter where you are!
Mastering Skills
Canning & Food Preservation: Water bath canning is the perfect start for beginners. Things like jams, pickles, applesauce and relishes are projects the can be completed by beginners, and boost your confidence for pressure canning projects. Ball canning makes a book that contains everything you need to know. Pressure canning can be intimidating, but is the best option for shelf stable, low acid foods like beans and meats. Check out my “How to start canning” guide for more info.
Dehydrating, vacuum sealing, and freeze drying offer a variety of food preservation options at varying price points. I recommend a food dehydrator for beginners because of its lower price point.
Gardening: Don’t try to grow all the things your first year, or even your second year. Pick a few vegetables – or even one! – that your family will actually eat. I recommend zucchini as a starter plant, because it’s so prolific. Herbs in a window sill is possible no matter where you live or what space constraints you have.
Do your research on your growing zone, and make sure you are planting in an area that gets sufficient light. Check out my Garden Planner to start planning your garden for success right from the start.
Baking & Cooking from Scratch: If you have little to no kitchen experience, start small. Try to make one element from scratch. Make breadcrumbs or try your hand at canned cream soup. Season a can of tomato sauce with garlic and herbs for pizza sauce. Try a simple salad dressing (like my homemade ranch dressing,) or a basic granola recipe
Many people think homesteaders only use sourdough, but I am saying this is MYTH! I am pro-homemade bread; be it yeast or sourdough. Homemade bread is delicious, cost effective, and made without the preservatives contained in store bought bread.
DIY Household & Hygiene Products: There are to many things to list here! Cleaning products, soap, beauty products, herbal medicines…There are so many books and reliable resources on all of these subjects. Citrus infused vinegar is a fantastic place to start!
Farm Animals: I don’t recommend buying a milk cow on day one if you don’t have livestock experience. A few chickens is a smaller starting point. Always research to ensure you are going to be able to best take care of your animals and respect the gift of sustenance they are providing you.
Finding your “Why”
If someone asked why you are interested in homesteading, what would your answer be?
For me, it’s the desire to provide for my family in the most sustainable way possible. I want to grow and produce as much of our food as I can. I want to preserve my harvest and cook our meals from scratch.
For some, it might be about how they eat for their health. It could be wanting to escape the regulations and red tape of the government. It might be the desire to live completely off grid, or a natural progression along with homeschooling.
Whatever your “why” is, keep that in mind as you go about your homestead journey. There are going to be many days where it seems easier to quit homesteading than continue. Your “why” is going to keep you going when the going gets tough. Dying seedlings, sick chickens, and flat loaves of bread won’t seem worth it if your heart isn’t in the right place.
This is the beginning of something good!
Homesteading has brought me joy, challenges, pain, and purpose. I’ve found peace and happiness in growing, preserving and creating, and I hope you’ll find the same.
There is an incredible community of like-minded people like you and I, and it’s growing every day. People who want to get back to their roots, take control of their lifestyles, and live a simpler life.
There is no better time to start than today, and I pray this post will give you guidance to start!
Follow me on Instagram @simply_faithfulhomestead to learn and grow along with me on my homestead journey. Comment below if you have or are planning to start your homestead!
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