It’s no secret that we’re living in crazy times, and if we’re not careful, we can get caught up in the hype and fear that’s all over every form of media we have. Instead, we can stay away from all that and focus on the pleasures of a ‘simple’ life.

Hoping to find some sort of peace amidst the chaos, many people are seeing a need for self-sufficiency and are seeking to get back to their roots. Even those of us who see and know God’s sovereignty recognize the wisdom in preparedness and independence, due to waning confidence in our human systems.

It doesn’t have to be difficult or overwhelming when you have a desire to incorporate methods of self-reliance into your routine. Rarely does anyone jump headfirst into homesteading. You don’t have to own a lot of land or completely alter your lifestyle – just take small steps and learn one skill at a time.

Here are some of the skills we got started with first and my tips on making them work for you:

Gardening – Start with a raised bed or two and try growing a few of your favorite veggies. Between pests and weather issues, etc, caring for a large garden can be overwhelming. That first harvest and the reward of cooking a meal from produce you grew yourself will probably make you want to do more, but start small and manageable! Also, learning how to freeze your produce is a good option for preservation if you feel overwhelmed by the idea of canning or aren’t ready to invest in canning supplies.

Sourdough Starter – Yes, it’s something else you have to keep alive, but hey, we’re talking about bread here! I had my share of frustrating mishaps when I was trying to get a starter going for the first time, but once you have an established starter and have learned a few key recipes, keeping the household in baked goods can be simpler. I used an uncomplicated, no-weighing method to learn. It’s not nearly as technical or confusing as it can often seem.

Stocking The Pantry – If you can slowly build up your pantry essentials over time (or if you can do it quickly, even better!), you will feel much better about pursuing other areas of homesteading. Sometimes the garden has a bad year, but that’s not the worst thing in the world if you’ve got food in the pantry to keep you going. You may not have the space to keep a whole lot of extra food on hand, but even having a small store can provide peace when times are hard.

Chickens – I love chickens. I never could have dreamed that I would love owning chickens, but here I am, loving chickens. They’re funny and ridiculous, and fresh eggs are so much better than store-bought. The initial cost and work of getting a predator-proof coop set up is probably the hardest part. Chickens pretty much take care of themselves, though you will sometimes lose some to predators.

The best thing we ever did for them was raise up a couple of puppies who became great guard dogs. (I highly recommend the Great Pyrenees breed for this.) 

Keep in mind that raising chickens doesn’t necessarily save you money on eggs – it simply keeps egg production happening on your property. Eggs in the store are definitely expensive, but so is chicken feed (and dog food for the guardians). This is a task you only want to take on if you’re aware that it’s less about saving money and more about having an abundance of eggs…and enjoying your crazy chickens.

Bee Hives – Though they have their share of potential issues, bees are another fairly hands-off ‘pet’, and who doesn’t love honey? Having bees around can also help your garden thrive, and you can sell some of your honey harvest to pay for supplies. However, there is definitely some cost involved, as well as a learning curve.

Frugal Living – This can be an underrated part of learning how to homestead. Though some skills you learn can save you money in the long-run, many homesteading endeavors have upfront costs. When you look at how to reduce spending, you can adjust your budget to help build a solid chicken coop or start stocking your pantry. Homesteading takes commitment, so if you’re wanting to do it on a budget, cutting costs in other areas can help.

Even if you’re attached to modern conveniences, you can achieve a more self-sufficient lifestyle one step at a time. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing, and it’s good to keep your goals in mind as you move forward. Homesteading is mostly about having the tools and knowledge to provide for yourself and your family and having less reliance on outside resources. It can even be fun if you have determination and a good sense of humor!