Look, if you’re expecting some epic origin story about how I had this divine revelation that homesteading was my calling, you’re about to be disappointed. The truth is way more embarrassing lol…. basically stumbled into this lifestyle because I was stuck at home with nothing to do and too broke to go anywhere else.
Lets imagine a 23-year-old me, pregnant, living in the middle of Wyoming with exactly zero friends who wanted to hear about my latest sourdough experiment or my theories on why store-bought bread tastes like cardboard. I started that blog because I was going slightly insane talking to myself all day, and at least online I could pretend someone cared about my chicken coop cleaning techniques.
Fast forward ten years, three kids, and approximately 47 homestead disasters later, and I’m still here. Still milking cows, still growing vegetables, still getting genuinely excited about things like egg production rates and compost temperature.
Which made me wonder: What exactly am I still doing here? Is this just an elaborate hobby, or is there something deeper going on?
Digging Deeper
After some serious soul-searching (and maybe a few too many late-night conversations with other homesteaders), I’ve realized something that might sound dramatic but I’m going to say it anyway: modern homesteading isn’t just a cute lifestyle choice. It’s actually crucial to our survival as functional human beings.
Don’t roll your eyes yet. Let me explain.
Technology is incredible. I’m literally using it to write this post and share it with thousands of people. I’m not some anti-progress Luddite who thinks we should all live in caves and weave our own clothing from sheep hair.
But here’s what happened while we were all getting excited about the convenience of modern life: we accidentally eliminated almost everything that used to help humans feel grounded, connected, and whole.
And now we’re living in this weird, shallow shell of human existence where everything is easy but nothing is satisfying. Where we have access to infinite entertainment but somehow we’re all bored. Where we can connect with anyone in the world instantly but most people feel completely isolated.
This is a massive problem, and I don’t think we even realize how serious it is.
Why ARE We So Drawn to the “Farm Life”?
I’ve been fascinated by how obsessed our culture has become with anything “farm-related.” Farmhouse decor, farm-to-table restaurants, shows about farming, Instagram accounts devoted to rural life. Everyone’s putting shiplap on their walls and buying mason jars like they’re going out of style.
But most people stop at the aesthetic. They want the look without the lifestyle, the vibe without the actual work.
Here’s what I think is really happening: deep down, we all know that cooking from scratch, growing plants, and creating things with our hands isn’t just quaint nostalgia. These activities are fundamental to human well-being.
And I’m not just saying that based on my own experience. There’s actually scientific proof:
- Soil bacteria can have antidepressant effects
- Time in nature reduces depression and improves mental health
- Working with your hands decreases stress and anxiety
- Family meals create stronger relationships and reduce substance abuse in kids
- Unstructured outdoor play reduces ADHD symptoms
Do you see what I’m getting at here?
This isn’t about being anti-modern or pretending we can go back to 1850. It’s about recognizing that humans have certain basic needs that technology can’t fulfill, and we’ve been systematically eliminating those needs from our daily lives.
You don’t need to buy a cow or move to rural Wyoming. But you absolutely need to find ways to get your hands dirty, create something tangible, spend time outside, and connect with the natural world.
Find something you can create. Something you can grow. Something you can build with your hands.
Because these aren’t optional activities that we can just eliminate from human experience. They’re essential to our mental health, our sense of purpose, and our ability to feel connected to something larger than ourselves.
Are you with me?
This is why I’ll keep talking about homesteading until people get sick of hearing about it. Not because everyone needs to live exactly like we do, but because everyone needs to find their own version of this intentional, grounded, hands-on way of living.
#oldfashionedonpurpose
If this resonates with you, if you believe that old-fashioned skills and values have a place in modern life, I want you to join me in spreading this message. Use #oldfashionedonpurpose when you share your own projects, skills, and intentional living choices.
Let’s show the world that choosing the harder path, taking time to create instead of just consume, and prioritizing meaning over convenience isn’t backwards….it’s revolutionary.
Now go find some dirt to dig in, some bread to knead, or some seeds to plant. Your mental health will thank you. Fuck yeah lets go!
