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Many of us step into this homespun, seasonal, do-it-yourself lifestyle with dreams of a slower, simpler life. We might picture quiet mornings in the garden, cozy evenings canning applesauce, or weekends spent baking from scratch. But pretty quickly, we learn a truth: choosing simplicity doesn’t always mean things are easy.
There are any number of reasons to choose a life of voluntary simplicity and homesteading – all of them deeply personal and absolutely correct, however; it’s okay to admit that sometimes it’s not all we thought it would be, that sometimes it’s darn hard and that sometimes those ads for frozen TV dinners seem mighty appealing over making another meal from scratch and cleaning it all up.
Over the years, I’ve gathered a few lessons that help when simple feels anything but. These gentle reminders keep me grounded and make the hard days a little more manageable.
This lifestyle is about effort and work and about carefully choosing a lifestyle philosophy. There’s no way to deny that – it’s not always roses and sunshine either. It’s not always easy or simple but it is extremely rewarding and we can make it work in our individual ways by using a few coping mechanisms.
Accepting that We Can’t Do It All
No one does it all—not really. And pretending otherwise only leads to burnout.
I’ve come to understand and embrace my own limitations. Yes, I can tend a big garden, preserve a pantry full of food, run a business, enjoy hobbies, and spend meaningful time with my husband. But I can’t do all of that and also keep a magazine-worthy home, stay involved in every community group, or be up-to-date on every piece of news.
My house is tidy, but always lived-in. My garden feeds us well, even with the ever-present weeds. That’s my version of balance. Letting go of the ideal and leaning into what matters most and focusing on our own priorities leads to a simpler life in the long run.
There’s a lot of freedom and joy in this acceptance. Realizing that we do indeed want to choose simple and that we can’t do everything well all the time allows us to let go of those things in pursuit of what really matters. It’s not always easy to admit that we can’t do it all but none of us are superhuman, relax and enjoy the very human experience of limitation.
Live Within the Natural Cycles of the Earth
Nature has her own pace, and aligning with it brings a kind of peace that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. When we live in harmony with this pace, our own lives find a rhythm and peace that can make things a bit simpler.
Canning applesauce happens when the apples are ready for instance, quiet time for reading and hobbies might happen more often during dark and cold winters. These predictable rhythms allow us to enjoy each thing, even when it might not be easy, as they are presented because we know they are only for this season and are indeed fleeting.
It also allows us to revel even more deeply in the joys – those garden fresh tomatoes don’t last all year and think of how much they are appreciated and adored in their limited run in our year.
Living close to the earth takes a little practice but isn’t terribly difficult, it’s simply a matter of tuning one’s habits and it gets easier with practice. When there are long hours of daylight in the spring and summer, we tend to have more energy and do more. When the hours turn more towards darkness many of us naturally turn inward and rest more.
Following these natural rhythms makes life feel more predictable and grounded. It also teaches us patience and presence. These rhythms also help us accept our limitations because we understand that is indeed a time for everything – it’s just never all at once.
Embrace the Current Season of Life
Just as the earth moves through seasons, so do we.
The life I lived in my 20s looked different than the one I live now. The same is true for every stage—raising children, shifting careers, aging parents, changing bodies. Each season of life brings its own challenges and its own sweetness.
Trying to live in a season that isn’t yours yet—or anymore—only steals the joy of now. There’s beauty to be found in each chapter, even the hard ones. Especially the hard ones.
Enjoy and do what’s important now without wishing for something different. Work towards goals and dreams but don’t let the day pass by without recognizing and appreciating what it held. Just like living within the seasons of the earth, we’re often building up stores in one period of life that will sustain us in the next.
Accepting the now of life and finding gratitude goes a long way into making life feel easier even on the toughest days.
Choose Priorities
Because we do have to accept our limitations and because there are seasons both natural and timely we need to choose our priorities, our guiding philosophies wisely. Priorities are inherently personal in nature and vary widely.
What’s important to my daily life may not be for you and vice versa. That’s exactly as it should be – these priorities are not about comparing lives or choices to anyone else but about achieving the goals and lifestyle you and your family most desire.
Choose priorities wisely and make sure to look at them and daily habits now and then to make sure they’re matching up. There’s no right or wrong, use these priorities as a road map to make sure you’re heading in the direction you want.
Remember leisure matters, too. So does connection, rest, and fun. Priorities aren’t just about productivity. They’re about choosing, on purpose, what deserves your energy.
Have a Plan
Some of us are more spontaneous than others and there’s nothing wrong with that, however; it seems that having a plan even if we choose to deviate from it now and then helps make things easier if not simpler.
Take time to list out what needs doing and schedule it as much as possible. Again, this will vary just like priorities but find what works best and plan it out. Having that plan helps create predictable rhythms within the various seasons and cycles that again help relieve some of the pressure and feelings of overwhelm that often accompany those moments when simple isn’t easy.
This lifestyle—this intentionally simple, homespun way of living—requires effort. But that effort is not without reward. There’s real satisfaction in tending a life with care. The hard days will come, but they don’t mean we’re doing it wrong.
Instead, we learn. We adjust. We keep practicing. And in that practice, we find beauty. We find grace. We find joy.
Great post I have linked back to here from my blog as I think you summed it up really well.
Thank you so much!
This is good advice, particularly embracing the season of life and choosing priorities. I had posted in the Seasonal Living course FB group about feeling torn between time-sensitive seasonal chores and “everything else” and one of the other members posted some advice about taking care of ‘things with feelings’ first–and I realized that was how I chose my highest priorities. So right now, it’s kids and husband, then critters, then garden/time-sensitive stuff (like the blueberries we picked this weekend!). Soon enough it’ll be summer, with no garden and we’ll be hibernating out of the heat when possible.
Feelings first is such a great to choose priorities! Yum to fresh blueberries!
I love the “feelings first” method! I often do the exact opposite, which is so contrary to who i am and my homesteading mission. And thank you so much for this post. I suffer from a severe attempts at overachievement!
It’s so easy to get wrapped in projects, I know it I do it all the time. Progress not perfection, right? I’m so glad to know that is post has been encouraging!
Wonderful post and very timely. We moved from city to country 4 years ago and it can be overwhelming at times. That does mean we don’t love it; it simply means that sometimes the list of to dos is longer than our day. I love your post and will read it again!
Thank you for this! We are in a season of change and adjustment and this was just what I needed!
I’m so glad to know this was useful to you!
What a fantastic post. Much needed for me right now. Hubby and I moved to this foreclosed, neglected 25.5 acre farm (that is a total mess [to put it mildly and as politely as possible]). We’ve been here 14 months today. Yesterday (5/15) we crashed! We’ve been working our tails off from dawn to way after dark, day in and day out without any down time to rest, visit family and friends or even relaxing. We are closer to our 70s than 60s and should know better – but we got caught up in trying to get it all done as soon as possible. This is a dangerous position to put oneself in — you can easily lose the JOY and SATISFACTION of your land and lifestyle without knowing it.
Your post is perfect and I shall print it off and keep it on our refrigerator as a good reminder to slow down, appreciate what we can and do get done, and take time to sit and admire what we have. I LOVE your idea of planning your priorities – hard to do when everything is screaming at you that needs to be done – but I’m thinking in the long run one would accomplish more with a plan and a list of priorities for the day, week or month.
I am very appreciative that you took the time and so much energy to share this fine post with us. I also have a friend who would appreciate your article. Very well written too!
Heartfelt Thanks ~ Bobbie
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I understand the urgency to get it all done and I fall into that trap now and then myself but it’s always good to remember the joy in this lifestyle. Best wishes to you as you continue your journey!
Bobby, your post is a God sent. I too am closer to my 70s and bought my 1st home in the mountains. It has only an acre but house n land are a work in progress. I work long hard days never stopping to smell the roses. I sit and cry at times but have finally (after 15 mos) have learned to slow it down and go with the seasons and my body.it is nice to know that at my age, I am not crazy for buying a home and perusing my dream. Thank you.
Bobby, I’m encouraged t hear that you and hubby are homesteading at ” closer to 70 than 60″ since my husband and I will soon be doing the same–and we’re both just over 60. Thinking ahead, I sometimes I wonder if we’ll be able to do it, but you’ve encouraged me! And, we’ll prioritize as suggested. My husband says we’ll need to “pace ourselves.”
I enjoyed reading about your journey. You are absolutely right. I am also an over achiever and have been stressed out all of my life. This past winter my husband brought home the “Farmer’s Almanac”. I discovered that it has a schedule for every day of the year according to the phases of the moon. So between the daily weather, the Farmer’s Almanac, work and my kids school ,that is how mt schedule goes. And I feel much better. I have also learned to except some dust in the house. Now my challenge is getting my husband on this schedule! LOL!
Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your story with me. I’m so glad you found a schedule that’s working for you!
Great post my sweet friend!! So true and what great advice….
Thank you!
This was such a timely post for us. We bought a house with 2.5 acres, and we immediately bought goats and started digging into the farming lifestyle to assist my husband with his physical rehabilitation. Come Spring, the ***weeds*** are everywhere, fences need pulling, and the garden we planted in Autumn was dug up by raccoons (or something). I think it’s easy to be daunted by the homesteading lifestyle, but we are not going to let it deter us. Even our doe weaned and dried up early, but we said, “Hey, it just wasn’t time for us to take on this new cheese-making project.” I think setting priorities and recognizing limitations are important. For us, it has also been being able to laugh at the things mother nature throws our way and put it on the long-term plan rather than the short-term one.
You have a great perspective and outlook. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
I really enjoyed your article. You touched on so many things that I find so difficult (like not being able to keep a perfect house because tending to the horses, chickens and garden is more important). I work full time, too, and I feel so constantly under pressure. Your wisdom, I hope, will make me be more kind to myself. Thank you!
Thank you for taking the time to say hello, please be kind to yourself.
Love it! I really liked live within natural cycles of the earth. A good reminder that seasons are our friend! Thank you wonderful post ❤️
Lovely thoughts on the seasons in our lives. So often we need to let go of things that are claiming our time and emotional energy.
We have inherited a house in the suburbs on one-third of an acre and we have decided to forego lawns for gardens and palm trees for fruit trees. Some food self-sufficiency seems increasingly important in an unsettled world.
I am looking forward to reading more of your journey.
Mary Elizabeth Tait
Homegrown food is never a bad idea, plus it’s tasty. Sounds like you have a lovely journey ahead of you!
Excellent post!
You cannot do it all. I’ve tried, over and over again, and this has been a hard lesson to learn. I think sometimes our egos get in the way here (talking about OTHER people of course!:) )
I love what you said about “seasons” because that is so true. Embrace where you’re at. You won’t be as effective with toddlers under your feet, it just can’t be done. You can do some things, but only do enough to maintain your “happy mommy and wife” face. When you pass that line, you’re doing too much. Recalculate.
I’m in the season of multiple teenagers, finishing high school and playing sports. I want to finish well, but my time isn’t my own right now if I want to stay engaged with my children. That’s my priority right now, because those empty nester years aren’t far off and I don’t want to have regrets of not spending this time with my children.
Thanks for your honesty and encouragement!
Hi Kathie. I am writing to you from a two acre block in New Zealand. After a solid day’s work I was relaxing in the late afternoon sun chiding myself for what i haven’t done and hello, I came across your post. You are an angel! Thank you, thank you for sharing wisdom. Please know that your words have warmly touched a soul a long way from Montana. Most sincerely, Robyn
Oh I’m so glad! Thanks for saying, hello.
I found your post today via Pinterest, and I think that it’s not just relevant for homesteaders but for life in general. From one (ex)Montanan to another, you have written a truly wonderful post that I really needed to read today. Thank you!!
Thank you so much for stopping by and saying hello. I’m so glad to know this post was helpful to you.
We are in our 50’s and bought a ten acre farm 17 months ago. The farm includes a 5000+ square ft old bed and breakfast mountain house. I had back surgery 23 months ago. We have 5 large row gardens, an herb garden, 6 raised beds, 15 chickens, bees, three dogs and a large yard. We run our own business that pulls hubby out of town most weeks Monday – Friday. All that said, I am exhausted every day. I really struggle to be able to enjoy our new place. Between keeping grandkids, administrative/accounting job duties, housekeeping, farming, lawn care, aging dogs, aging parent care, beekeeping………. I am always feeling depressed and like a failure. I love our land and enjoy the work just not the lack of time and energy to get it all done. Love this post and hope to re-read it daily in conjunction with prayer to battle the depression I feel creeping into my life inspite of my many wonderful blessings.
Great article. As a brand new homesteader I found it very helpful and encouraging. I have already had some overwhelming moments. Glad I found this blog. Thanks.
I’m so glad you found this post useful!
Thanks Kathy, I am 60, single and self employed… so grateful that the garden is resting in this Australian winter and still manages to produce a few edibles amongst the weeds. The wrens are happy in the long grass and frogs are hiding in the overgrown watercress. Much to be thankful for! I am limiting jobs to suit the shorter daylight hours and enjoying long evenings sewing by the fire. Sometimes we all just need to take a breath!
I love this list, and I so agree with you! I find myself gravitating to these strategies when I start to feel overwhelmed.
Spring can be so hard because we have inside messes and outside messes, work outdoors and work indoors, and the outdoors always come inside… But I use rainy or cold days to work on the house, and warm weather to get my outside stuff done. Neither my yard or my house is perfectly clean, but I am usually okay with that. Everything in its time!
Most true and well written article I’ve ever read.
I loved this reminder of simple living tips. Two things stood out.
I live in Western Montana as well, in the Bitterroot Valley south of Missoula. I am reminded that the days will become short and winter will set in and that is a great time to work on my list of all the many new things I want to learn and do. Now, is the time to tend to all the other things instead of trying to do it all.
The other thing that struck me was tte seasons of life and embracing those even if they are new or different.
Also, I did click on the trusted source button too. I tell you it’s hard to know if Youare getting AI regurgitated information on blogs these days. That is why I have unfollowed so many. Thank you for being one of t trusted sources.❤️