My Homesteading Story

My homesteading story started when I was a teenager living in an apartment complex in a big city. My parents divorced when I was six years old, and Mom and I lived on the second floor of an apartment building that was part of a bigger complex.

I grew up around concrete with broken glass everywhere, meaning I couldn't walk barefoot. I can remember the pain of pulling glass out of my feet, and to this day I won't walk barefoot. 

Because Mom worked full time, she seldom cooked, and we ate primarily frozen meals or fast food. I never had much energy to do anything in those days, and looking back, I realize how abnormal that was. Whoever heard of a 14-year-old being too exhausted to do much of anything? 

My Homesteading Story Centered Around Raising My Children at Home

new rianna

I eventually grew up and got married. When I married, I was certain about two things: I wanted children, and I wanted to stay home with my children. I wanted to give them the experience that I never had - a happy home with two parents in the home and home-cooked meals. 

I know that's a strange way to start my homesteading story, but it was that desire to live on one income so I could care for my children in the way that I was never cared for that drove us to learn how to save money, to eat well on less, and to pursue a simpler lifestyle. 

We made plenty of mistakes along the way, but one thing I have never regretted was the time I spent at home with my children. Living simply taught me to appreciate the important things in life - time spent with family members and time spent outdoors. I learned the satisfaction and joy of making things myself instead of buying them. I learned to make good, pure food, and I often treated my children using homeopathic medicine instead of constantly making visits to the doctor and running up doctor bills.

Homesteading Means Trying New Things

Rie and Water

And my husband, Rick, and I tried all kinds of new things, including raising goats (who constantly escaped from their fenced yard and wreaked havoc on our orchard); raising chickens (love it! Still doing it!); raising pigs (Rick swears we'll never do it again); keeping bees (never mess with the hive without wearing your beekeeping suit - I learned that the hard way); and gardening (water and weed regularly). 

sam in tractor

I learned how to make bread from grains I ground myself, and I learned how to make gluten-free bread when I developed an allergy to whole wheat. I learned the importance of eating fermented foods regularly and have learned how to make sauerkraut, fermented pickles, yogurt, kimchi, and kombucha, among other things. 

I feel like I still have a lot to learn and will probably keep learning until I leave this earth. Life is an adventure if you're willing to step away from the television and try new things. You don't have to go to an amusement park or some other diversion to have fun. You just have to be willing to be brave and try new things.

Sharing My Experiences With You

I've learned a lot in the more than twenty-seven years since I first became a stay-at-home mom, and I hope that by sharing my experiences with you, I can help you pursue your goals of being prepared, saving money, and learning to enjoy the simpler things in life. 

So, how about you? What new experiences have you tried? Have you set up your first solar system or kept your first flock of hens? Share them below so others can learn from your experiences.

What's Your Homesteading Story?

My Homesteading Story is your opportunity to share your homesteading story with other readers of Organic Gardening and Homesteading. Share your successful homesteading story. You don't have to be totally self-reliant to share a story.

Are you keeping chickens successfully?

Grow a successful garden recently?

Found a frugal recipe you'd like to share?

Submit your story right here!

Your successes - no matter how small - will be an inspiration to other aspiring homesteaders, helping them to realize they can work their way to self-reliance as well!

This is your chance to shine.

Your original version of my homesteading story will be seen by friends, family, and other grateful visitors of Organic Gardening and Homesteading. If your story is one that will help everyone, I'll put your story - along with your byline - on its own page on Organic Gardening and Homesteading! By the way, I'd love to see any photos you have as well.

Some things to keep in mind when uploading your homesteading story:


    •    Make sure your ideas and photos are original, and that they are either from you or a family member. Please do not copy from another source.


    •    Make sure your file is no bigger than 2MB, please!


I can't wait to see what you're going to share! Thanks for taking the time to give back, and happy homesteading!

My Homesteading Story

Or more specifically, Your Homesteading Story!

What Other Visitors Have Said

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