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A Day of Homestead Living

ByJessica Knowles Reading Time: 3 minutes

Often, you see bloggers glorifying the modern homesteading lifestyle. I mean, homestead living is simple living. How hard can it be to live simply?

Often you see bloggers glorifying homestead living. I mean... simple living. How hard can it be to live simply? Maybe harder than you may think.

I was chatting with a few of my blogger friends. We were all frustrated and overwhelmed for a variety of homesteading reasons. One friend had her goats go missing when her electric fence shorted. Another lost several of her crops to a freak hail storm. Another just felt like there wasn’t enough time in a day to get everything done. I can relate. Can you?

We thought it would be fun to give our readers a real-life look into homestead living. Are you ready for mine? For those of you who are just getting to know me, I am a stay-at-home mom with three children. We live on 1/4 acre in Maine. Our homestead is home to sixteen quail, twelve chickens, eight ducks, and over 1,000 square feet of gardens. Here’s a look into what homestead living means for me…

Homestead Living on The 104 Homestead

As you can see, I stay pretty busy here. No, I don’t can food every day (or sneak in new chickens), but if I’m not making or preserving food, I’m outside tending the gardens that grow it. If I’m not outside caring for the adult birds, I’m inside tending the juvenile ones.

Yes, this lifestyle is exhausting. You spend most of your life either anxiously waiting for the next season or feeling like you’re running behind. Is it worth it? Absolutely! No two days are the same. There is a huge sense of accomplishment whenever you finish a project. Plus, who doesn’t love the antics of chickens, ducks, and quail? I wouldn’t give this life up for anything, no matter how discouraged I may feel at times.

Often you see bloggers glorifying homestead living. I mean... simple living. How hard can it be to live simply? Maybe harder than you may think.

A Day in the Lives of My Homesteading Friends

My friends and I get how busy the life of a homesteader can be. We understand how frustrating and discouraging things can get. Maybe you can’t relate to my day, but hopefully, you can relate to one of them. I am happy to share the day-to-day lives of fourteen awesome homesteaders from all walks of life.

A Day in the Life of a Homesteader by Ashley of Whistle Pig Hollow
On The Farm: A Peek Into Our Life by Ashley of The Browning Homestead
The Answer to “And what did YOU do today?” by Chris of Joybilee Farm
A Day in the Life of an Urban Homesteader by Connie of Urban Overalls
A Day in My Shoes by Emilie of The Toups Address
Homesteading Rhythm with Little Kids & A Bump by Isis of Little Mountain Haven
Homestead Truths, Minus the Sugarcoating by Janet of Timber Creek Farm
A Typical Day of Homesteading by Laurie of Common Sense Homesteading
It’s Not About The Work by Leona of My Healthy Green Family
Life, Unfiltered by Melissa of Ever Growing Farm
A Day in the Life of This Urban Homesteader by Meredith of ImaginAcres
A Day in the Life of a Homestead by Quinn of Reformation Acres
A Day on Acorn Hill Homestead by Teri of Homestead Honey

What is the biggest struggle you’ve found with homestead living? Share in the comments below.

Often you see bloggers glorifying homestead living. I mean... simple living. How hard can it be to live simply? Maybe harder than you may think.

Owner, Writer at The 104 Homesteader

A gifted writer and long-time Maine homesteader, Jessica is here to share her knowledge and expertise. Jessica can help you homestead successfully on your piece of land. You can rely on her advice and tips since she has been engaged in small-scale farming and self-sufficiency for over a decade. In her downtime, Jessica loves to take her boys on hikes or spend time with her Coturnix quail coveys. She also loves caring for her goats and garden. Jessica will show you how it's done so you can thrive on your homestead.

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13 Comments

  1. I am a little confused, why is it that you don’t have enough time? We have over an acre in garden, animals to care for, several acres of cane to plant and care for to make molasses. We cut wood for heating our home, my husband hunts and fishes, and processes all the game he kills. We also do whatever needs to be done here, a new roof, plumbing, wiring, everything! Last but not least we both work at public jobs for 40 or more hours a week, and I also do about 4 hours a month in volunteer work. I am using my phone to read your blog, because I realized years ago that no home internet and tv is the way to get a lot more accomplished.

    Reply
  2. Sandra Davis says:

    I am a little confused, why is it that you don’t have enough time? We have over an acre in garden, animals to care for, several acres of cane to plant and care for to make molasses. We cut wood for heating our home, my husband hunts and fishes, and processes all the game he kills. We also do whatever needs to be done here, a new roof, plumbing, wiring, everything! Last but not least we both work at public jobs for 40 or more hours a week, and I also do about 4 hours a month in volunteer work. I am using my phone to read your blog, because I realized years ago that no home internet and tv is the way to get a lot more accomplished.

    Reply
  3. Wood & Wings FArm says:

    THank you for this!! I always find it hilarious when friends of mine comment on how peaceful & tranquil our life is.
    My one nonestop craziness in my life… the weeding!!! The weeding NEVER ends in our garden. NEVER. EVER.

    Reply
    1. Jessica Lane says:

      I actually threw in the garden trowel this year. I will harvest what I can, but I just don’t have it in me for garden maintenance this year.

      Reply

      1. Why is that. Do you have too much to do. You have too many children why is that do you have a job that takes up all your time do you have too many children tell me why it is that you are unable to do your gardening

        Reply
  6. Montana Happy says:

    Fun video. You are one busy lady! I’m just starting on my journey…

    Reply
  7. Christina says:

    Could this video or YOU be ANY CUTER? Love it!

    Reply
  8. Cindy Foster says:

    So funny, but soooo true!!!!!

    Reply
  9. Carole West @ Garden Up Green says:

    That video was cute and it looks like you have a great little helper. Enjoyed.

    Reply
  10. Abigail @ They're Not Our Goats says:

    Jess, this is such a cute video! You’ve got a lot going on there! I kind of want to start taking my kids to the coffee shop to blog too… but I’m afraid I’d end up doing damage control more than getting work done! Does it actually work well for you? And quail eggs- that’s something I haven’t thought of yet!

    Reply

  11. I loved your fast paced video. Thanks for sharing your day with your readers.

    Reply