The 11 Hardest Challenges When Homesteading

When you imagine homesteading, you might picture a serene life on a beautiful piece of land, surrounded by nature, and living off the grid. While this dream can become a reality, it's important to understand that homesteading comes with its fair share of challenges. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the hardest things about homesteading and a few ways to stay positive when times are hard. (Keep in mind that overcoming these challenges is totally worth it!)

1. Initial Investment

Starting a homestead is no small feat. It often requires a significant financial investment. You'll need to purchase land, build essential infrastructure like a house, barn, and fences, and acquire equipment and livestock. This initial financial outlay can be daunting, but it's an investment in your self-sufficient future.

To overcome this challenge, start small and use what you have. One of the first additions to our homestead was chickens. We used an old building on our property as a chicken coop instead of buying or building something new. It's ugly and less than ideal, but it has served its purpose for 8 years now. Eventually, we will upgrade the coop, but not until we have the resources.

2. Time-Intensive

Homesteading is not a 9-to-5 job; it's a way of life. Daily chores, such as feeding animals, tending to gardens, and maintaining your property, can be incredibly time-consuming. Be prepared for long hours of physical labor, especially during peak seasons. Homesteading is not something you can take a vacation from, and there are no sick days.

I still love to travel to see family and friends, so when I travel, I have to make sure someone does my daily chores. Typically, that means that my husband and I do not travel together and he picks up my slack. If we do travel together, it's usually only an overnight trip. We have, on occasion, asked neighbors and co-workers to feed our animals, but we try to avoid burdening others who are also busy.

3. Learning Curve

Homesteading involves a diverse range of skills, from animal husbandry to crop cultivation and food preservation. The learning curve can be steep, particularly if you're new to these practices. But the journey of acquiring these skills can be incredibly rewarding and empowering.

I love to learn, and there are so many ways to learn on the road to self-sufficiency. I often read books or peruse magazines about homesteading and related topics. Before I start a new project, I immerse myself in information from the internet. I also learn a lot from my mistakes and failures, of which there are plenty! Each time a plant gets diseased or a seedling dies, I analyze what went wrong and try again. The great thing about homesteading is that the diversity of activities allows for resiliency. There are many methods to learn homesteading skills, but perhaps my favorite is to learn from those who know more than me, like my farmer neighbors.

4. Isolation

Many homesteads are situated in rural or remote areas, which can lead to social isolation. Access to amenities, services, and social interactions may be limited. However, some homesteaders cherish the peace and solitude that comes with their lifestyle. As many of you know, I was a city girl. The adjustment to a country life took me at least 10 years. There were some hard times when I truly felt cut off from others, especially when my kids were little. Now, I am so happy that I live far from a city! There is a different type of security that comes from being part of a rural community. Plus, it is easier to connect with nature when its beauty surrounds you.

5. Weather Challenges

Weather is a significant factor in homesteading. Harsh winters, droughts, floods, and other extreme weather conditions can impact crops and livestock and make daily tasks more challenging. Adaptability and preparedness are crucial. Nature is incredibly resilient and able to bounce back from extreme weather. The key for homesteaders is to be able to weather the storm. We have to diversify our crops so that when one fails, another succeeds. We have to expand our knowledge and skills so that we can adapt and overcome an emergency. We have to be prepared and stock items that we are likely to need, like extra fencing supplies.

6. Self-Reliance

While self-reliance is a core goal of homesteading, it can also be a source of stress. You must be prepared to handle emergencies and unexpected challenges without easy access to outside help. Learning self-sufficiency is part of the journey. Having a network of neighbors or community members that will support you in an emergency is a great backup!

7. Financial Uncertainty

Income from a homestead can be unpredictable. Markets for produce and other products fluctuate, and there can be seasonal variations in income. It may take time to establish a stable source of income from your homestead, so financial planning is essential. We still have not mastered the financial part of this journey at The Wellstead. We both still have jobs outside of the homestead, and I look forward to the day when our income from the homestead exceeds our paycheck.

8. Regulatory Issues

Depending on your location, you may encounter zoning, building, and agricultural regulations that you must navigate. Complying with these legal requirements can be complex and time-consuming, but it's essential to avoid potential issues down the road. Do your research!

9. Physical Demands

Homesteading often involves strenuous physical labor. Maintaining gardens, caring for animals, and building and repairing structures can be physically taxing. It's a lifestyle that requires good health and stamina. Now that I am in my 40s, I recognize the need to plan for times when I will not have the mobility or strength to do the things we do now. This became apparent when I was going through cancer treatments and had very little energy for chores. Now, we plan our infrastructure in a way that will make sense when we are older, like building taller raised beds, and we invest in tools that will allow us to meet the needs of our homestead long into the future.

10. Long-Term Commitment

A homestead is not a short-term project; it's a long-term commitment. It takes years to develop the land, build a sustainable system, and start seeing the full benefits. Persistence and dedication are key to homesteading success. Sometimes, the daily frustrations can cause us to lose sight of the long-term goal, but our animals, land, and mountain views always remind us of our greater purpose.

11. Balance

Balancing work on the homestead with other aspects of life, such as family and personal time, can be challenging. Finding time for relaxation and leisure activities is essential to prevent burnout. This is even more challenging when you still work full-time outside of the homestead. I haven't figured out how to address this yet and often struggle to find balance. So far, we have learned the following tips:

• Laugh. Don't take everything so seriously and laugh as much as you can. Animals do funny things, so laugh at them. We all make mistakes, so laugh about it.

• Breathe. Enjoy the fresh air, stay grateful for the stunning views, and connect with nature whenever possible.

• Connect. Whether it is family, friends, or neighbors, finding your community will help during hard times.

  
  

Despite these challenges, many homesteaders find great satisfaction in the self-sufficiency and connection to the land that homesteading offers. It's important to carefully consider these challenges and plan accordingly if you're interested in pursuing a homesteading lifestyle. Proper preparation, education, and a willingness to adapt and learn from your experiences can help you overcome these difficulties and thrive on your homestead.

One final note. Always stay grateful. Even when things are hard and stressdul, there are always silver linings. Find those silver linings and stay grateful for everything.