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FRENCHIE FARM

Regenerative Farming & Farm Classes

in Homesteading Tips

Homesteading and simple living

Sorry to burst your bubble, but homesteading is literally the opposite of simple living.

When Ben and I decided to start a homestead, I was intrigued by the idea of simple living. Collecting farm fresh eggs, growing our own food, milking goats – isn’t that literally the definition of simple living? In theory – yes. In actuality – NOPE.

Frenchie Farm Frenchie Farm homesteading simple living

Homesteading and Simple Living

Perhaps I was naive, but I honestly thought that homesteading would simplify our lifestyle. I dreamt of a beautiful little backyard farm, but I had no idea how much work it would take to make it a reality. We (mostly Ben) spent this past year+ working literally nonstop. Before we wrap up one project, we start on another. It’s a never-ending cycle of projects over here, which leads to long hours and late nights. So much for simple living!

Homesteading definitely is not simple living. It’s hard, dirty, and a whole lot of work. For some reason, I thought “simple” living meant “easy” living. I thought homesteading would simplify our lives and somehow make it easier. In actuality, homesteading has made our lives so much harder. So what’s the point of even doing it?

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Simple isn’t always better

If this past year+ of homesteading has taught me anything, it’s the idea that “simple isn’t always better.” Homesteading makes life a  lot more challenging, but it’s a life of fulfillment. Driving to the grocery store and buying the cheapest milk, eggs, dairy, and produce is pretty convenient and cost efficient. Setting up shelter + buying goats, chickens, feed, supplies, and fencing isn’t exactly easy. (And costs a lot more initially than buying a carton of eggs and a gallon of milk from the store!)

The homesteading lifestyle requires a lot of work, and it definitely doesn’t lead to simple living. In our modernized world, we’ve come to expect convenience and speed. Between demanding careers, busy schedules, running a household, caring for kids, and so many other obligations – it feels impossible to make time to do even more. Homesteading isn’t for everybody (and that’s okay!). For those of you that feel intimidated by homesteading, then sometimes all we need is a simple shift in our perspective. Homesteading isn’t an easy lifestyle, but that’s not a bad thing. It’s actually such a good thing.

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Homesteading = living with intention & gratitude

If homesteading isn’t the simple life, then what exactly is it? In our experience, homesteading encourages you to live life with more intention. Consider the last time you went grocery shopping. When you grabbed that carton of eggs and milk from the refrigerator, what thoughts came to mind? Did you think about the chickens that produced those eggs for you to eat? What about those cows (or goats!) that were milked for you to drink? Did you consider their living conditions? We’ve come to expect and feel entitled to always having these items at our disposable. It’s hard to feel truly grateful when these items are so easy to purchase.

Growing and producing your own food isn’t easy, but it reminds you to have more gratitude for everyday items that we tend to take for granted. Raising baby chicks, caring for adult hens, and collecting their eggs daily gives you a different perspective and appreciation for food. Delivering baby goats and learning how to milk a goat for the first time is a truly humbling experience. Planting a vegetable garden and waiting for it to produce forces you to exercise patience.

Homesteading isn’t easy, and it definitely isn’t simple living. Your baby chicks won’t start producing eggs right away, and your goats definitely won’t produce any milk until they have babies of their own. The garden you planted won’t produce vegetables over night either, but that’s okay. Homesteading is truly about the experience of getting to the end goal, whatever that goal may be. It forces you to live a life of intention, gratitude, and patience. Isn’t that pretty incredible?

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Should you homestead?

Are you motivated by knowing exactly where your food comes from? Do you want to feel more connected to how your food is produced? Do you want to teach your kids (and yourself!) how to be more self-sufficient? If yes, then homesteading might be your next step. If not, then that’s absolutely fine too! Homesteading is a lifestyle choice, and it’s okay if that’s not a choice that you’re interested in taking. 

No matter where you fall on the homesteading interest spectrum, and at the risk of sounding preachy (not my intention!), perhaps we can all be a bit more invested in our food. This can look completely different for everybody (and again, that’s okay!) For some people, maybe you’ll get a few backyard chickens and collect eggs daily. Others might choose to plant a few veggies or herbs. Or maybe your lifestyle isn’t conducive for any of those options (and again, that’s okay!) so perhaps you spend a few extra minutes researching small local farms that you can purchase from directly. All of these options are perfectly great because they allow us to have a bit more investment and gratitude for our food. Isn’t that what homesteading is really all about anyways? 

Homesteading definitely isn’t simple living, but that’s a good thing.

Frenchie Farm homesteading simple living

Local friends – if you’re looking to support a small farm with very happy animals, then let’s get in touch 🙂

Need more homesteading ideas? Check out these posts

  • Homesteading on a small property
  • How to homestead with kids
  • How to start a homestead: a modern homesteading guide
  • Things to know before starting a homestead
  • Homesteading on a budget

 

 

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Colleen 🐐🐓🐶
Well, despite my denial, I suppose that it’s off Well, despite my denial, I suppose that it’s officially fall 🍁 I tend to hold onto summer time as long as possible, especially because the bitter cold winter months are brutal in Chicago. With that being said, I’m learning to appreciate all of the seasonal changes that naturally occur on the farm, even if they aren’t my favorite 😉 Early morning chores are filled with brisk air while fog covers the rising sun. It’s beautiful in its own unique way, and maybe one day I’ll love the changing seasons as much as I love the summer heat. Or maybe I’ll move somewhere warmer in another life, who knows 🤷🏼‍♀️
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Do you prefer the heat or cold fall days?
After such an emotional weekend, I woke up feel ex After such an emotional weekend, I woke up feel extra drained today. I wanted to press snooze when my alarm went off, but I decided to get up early for a quick workout and chores instead. And gosh, isn’t it crazy how those simple decisions turn your day around right from the start? Plus, seeing these boys run toward me every morning is simply the best.
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Today was hard. . . Today was processing day for o Today was hard.
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Today was processing day for our first round of meat chickens, and I’ve spent much of the last 24 hours crying. I said my good byes this morning, and I feel grateful for Ben taking care of the logistics. Does it get easier? Is it supposed to? I don’t know.
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I usually share the fun, light hearted parts of homesteading. This part just feels hard. And sad. And I feel a lot of guilt. I feel comforted by the life we gave to our birds, but also guilty that we’re the ones who took it away. 
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Homesteading is just really hard.
Tomorrow is the day that I’ve been dreading for Tomorrow is the day that I’ve been dreading for quite some time - processing day for our first ever round of meat chickens. As a previous vegan, I’m struggling. I’d be lying if I said that I’m not tearing up typing this, or that I didn’t tear up while walking by their pasture during chores tonight. This part is really hard.
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But here’s the thing - I don’t think “hard” is a bad thing. Actually, it’s a good thing. Because if we don’t have a level of guilt and appreciation for animals, then there’s something seriously wrong ... and that’s exactly what’s wrong with our current food supply system. 
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So I’ll continue to feel guilty, because I SHOULD. And I’ll continue to feel grateful, because I SHOULD. And I’ll continue to feel really sad knowing that I’m responsible for loss, because I SHOULD.
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And the second I lose sight of that guilt and gratitude? Well, that won’t happen. Trust me ❤️
Nope, that’s not my incredible white farmhouse, Nope, that’s not my incredible white farmhouse,  but maybe one day ours will looks similar! 🙌🏼 Have you met my friend Maddy over at @addisonfarmssc? We’ve been friends on these little squares for quite some time, and holy moly, she’s definitely #onetofollow ! 
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The moment you realize that you literally have the The moment you realize that you literally have the most handsome buck ever 🙌🏼 Chester is a rather refined buck - he prefers to stand majestically while the other two crazy boys do all sorts of weird things, including but not limited to, flaring their lips, blubbering, flirting, and drinking pee 🤢 What kind of questionable things do your bucks do?
Tomorrow marks our first (official) day of homesch Tomorrow marks our first (official) day of homeschool preschool, but when you live on a farm, aren’t you always “schooling” one way or the other anyway?
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When the new @beekman1802 Bloom Cream is incredibl When the new @beekman1802 Bloom Cream is incredibly moisturizing, formulated with goat milk, AND packed with probiotics, the goats can’t help but check it out! #ad 🐐 I’ve been using the newest Bloom Cream moisturizer for the past few weeks and I’ve been LOVING it! It’s an incredible mix of super hydrating, gentle, and light weight all mixed into one. Perfect way to re-hydrate after long days on the farm.
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@beekman1802 also recently launched at @ultabeauty, so it couldn’t be any more convenient to try out a few new clinically kind goat milk skincare products! Shop in store or online - you’ll thank me later 😉 What are some of your favorite skincare products? @beekman1802 @ultabeauty #beekmanblooms
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So much to be grateful for, and so many scrambled eggs, frittatas, egg bakes, paleo pancakes, etc! What are some of your favorite ways to use up extra eggs?
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