Homesteading: What does it mean?
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
Lisa Bentley/Johnston
Discover the power of community!
Homesteading… What does that mean to you?
A thousand cattle on a hillside is what used to come to mind when I was younger. I thought it meant someone who had hundreds or thousands of acres with many types of livestock.
As I matured, so did my understanding of what constitutes a homestead. No longer limited by traditional definitions, I embraced an evolving interpretation: Homesteading represents independence, resourcefulness and harmony with nature; a lifestyle rooted deep within our collective past, yet still relevant today.
What is a modern day homesteader?
Modern homesteading refers to a self-sufficient lifestyle. It includes subsistence agriculture, renewable energy sources when possible, home preservation of food, zero-waste living, and so much more. For us personally it began a few years ago when we started realizing our health was deteriorating quickly. Realizing that it all starts with the power of my thoughts and what I was telling myself.
That vegetable oil dipped french fry was good for me. It’s a potato after all, right? I am eating my three meals a day and following the food pyramid. I never thought to read the ingredients, and when I did I had no clue how to pronounce most of the words so I must have said, “That’s none of my business.” Until one day the aches in my body wouldn’t allow me to ignore it anymore. I couldn’t believe the excuses I set up. I stopped lying to myself. It was time to wake up.
So I embarked on a journey to transform my health and well being, recognizing that the power lies within our food choices. Empowered by the knowledge that “we are what we eat,” I made conscious decisions about my dietary habits for a positive change.
We can overcome any obstacle, including our love for food, by adopting a mindset of optimism and empowerment. We knew it was time to take control of our eating habits and prioritize our health.
I was overjoyed that my husband and adult children were also willing to embrace the truth. Together, we took a journey of self-sufficiency through homesteading, utilizing our small urban yard to cultivate an abundance of fresh produce and herbs.
Remember, you are not limited and can be an apartment homesteader. With a quick internet search you will find endless resources on how to obtain the lifestyle.
We ended up divorcing the fast food industry while becoming very selective on any restaurant to eat from. My husband’s body would let us know as soon as he finished a meal if it was cooked in bad oils. He would cough and hack before we got out the door.
Grocery shopping got a whole lot more interesting since we started reading labels like it’s nobody’s business. Goodbye commercial cleaning products; hello homemade magic and locally-sourced products.
The list goes on and on, but I’m here to say that it’s a journey and a process, so be gentle on yourself if it’s the road you choose.
Embracing the homesteading way of life means taking small steps towards activities like tending to an indoor garden filled with medicinal herbs or creating personalized cleaning products free from harsh chemicals.
There are still others who don’t keep a garden or animals at all, but rather focus on fiber arts, or from-scratch cooking and preserving, making conscious decisions to be more self-aware of their independence as homesteaders.
For those looking to live more sustainably, finding a community that can offer assistance and direction is key. Having others who understand your journey can be incredibly helpful.
So let’s take it a little further.
Homesteading 2.0: When you thought it couldn’t get any better… it did! Where we now turn to the inspiring stories of communities united in their quest for sustainable living. We can explore this journey further with transforming the homesteading experience through meaningful relationships.
The essence of a homesteader’s community lies in its collaborative spirit; members exchange wisdom and resources within an interconnected network built upon the foundation of “each one teach one,” creating a thriving hub of productivity. Here in Coosa County we have an up and coming group of like-minded people who have the same goal in mind.
Empowerment starts here when we come together to uplift and support one another on our journey towards personal growth and collective progress. Explore where you can plug in by contacting us.
Text or call columnist Lisa Bentley-Johnston at 941-830-0180 or email her at hisdaisy1333@gmail.com.
