7 Simple Ways to Start a Homestead Lifestyle Now

If you’re here then odds are you are dreaming of a homestead lifestyle and trying to figure out how you can start incorporating it right now. I’m here to tell you its easier than you think.

These seven strategies will bring that homestead lifestyle into your home right now. I live in a one bedroom apartment with big dreams of owning land to homestead on but until then I have been following these steps myself to move the needle towards the ultimate dream.

You’ll see just how simple it can be to start including elements of a homestead lifestyle, like gardening, food preservation, cooking and more, regardless of where you live or how much land you have or don’t have.

One of the most important things to remember is that it’s just as much about a state of mind as it is about the land. In fact, gaining the mindset before having the actual dream property is just as if not MORE important.

I hope this helps you feel prepared and inspired to start taking those baby steps towards a homestead lifestyle. Know that I’m right there with you!

Homestead Lifestyle Tips:

1. Cook at home

One of the simplest ways to take on that homestead lifestyle mentality is to start cooking at home more. If you are not an avid cook, cough raising my hand over here, it’s okay. Aim to cook at least one meal from scratch a week. If you enjoy cooking try to push the envelope and find a new cooking from scratch recipe to include in your kitchen. Try making processed foods that you would normally buy from the store like bread, hummus or even pasta if you’re feeling extra gung-ho. The kitchen is the heart of the home and when it comes to self sufficiency, being able to make your own food is a major pillar. Some books to inspire your from scratch cooking as well as books you’ll want to have for #2 on this list:

This list should send you down the cookbook rabbit hole nicely!

2. Learn food preservation techniques

You don’t need a massive garden to harvest from to start learning food preservation techniques. Water bath canning is very accessible and does NOT have to be done on home grown vegetables. No one is going to call you out if you practice your canning skills on store bought fruits and vegetables. In fact, I would say it would be less pressure, because if you don’t get it right the first time, well at least you didn’t spoil the painstakingly grown vegetables you spent weeks or months nurturing. Basic canning supplies can be easily found at your local super center or online. With a large stock pot, ball canning jars, a beginner canning kit and a couple of recipes you’ll be able to start immediately.

3. Shop at farmer’s markets

If you want to level up from shopping at your local grocery store, buying fresh produce and homemade goods at the farmers market does two things: it brings your food sources closer to home and it builds community. Shopping at farmer’s market’s helps you eat more seasonally as well as allows you to get better acquainted with where your food comes from, ensuring the healthiest foods for you and your family.

The homestead lifestyle is just as much about creating a sense of community as it is about building a self sufficient island. No man is an island and building relationships with other like-minded individuals will open the door for an exchange of goods, knowledge and friendship. When you live out there on that dreams property one day you may only have a couple neighbors for miles and you can bet that people look out for each other.

4. Start a container garden

As a beginner homesteader, this one can be as complex or as simple as you’d like, but I’d heir on the side of simple.

First, assess how much space you have and how much sun that space receives.
Next, decide on your containers. There are such a variety of containers you can use but if your space allows I would highly recommend these fabric raised garden beds; they give me so much space to grow on my small balcony. I also love using hanging space along the railing for smaller fruits or vegetables. Use as much vertical space as you can and get creative.
Once you understand what your working with, decide what you’d like to grow and whether or not it would grow well in a container in your space. Start with your staples, (tomato, pepper and basil), if these are vegetables you enjoy, then think about what you truly eat on a regular basis and select a couple from that list that would work.

You can learn so much about the process of planting, nurturing and harvesting your own food from just a few pots on a balcony. The pride you feel from seeing the fruits of your labor is like no other.

5. Make something handmade

This is another one that has tons of flexibility. Learning how to make your own household goods comes second to providing your own food but is still important if you seek self-sufficiency. The idea of a handmade home can be viewed not only from a self sufficiency stand point but also from one of simply taking an intimate part in the creation of your home. If all the stores disappeared, how would you add utility or make your house feel like home?

Choose a skill or handmade object that speaks to you. Choose one and stick with it our try something new every month if you’d like. This one depends entirely on what inspires you. Make homemade candles, learn how to sew or knit, make pottery, learn wood working, soap making, basket weaving, the creations are pretty much endless.

Now I know the idea of wood working or pottery making sound daunting, but remember think small. Spoon carving kits and oven baked clay exist. Get creative and you will find ways. I want to try all of the things but my space is limited so I’m sticking with just a couple handmade skills. But I would like to take on sewing my own clothes here soon.

6. Read homesteading books

To keep that dream alive it is important that you continue learning. You may not have the space for livestock but you sure can learn as much as you can from reading homesteading books for the day that space will finally allow. Building your collection also means you’ll always have the knowledge to reference within arms reach. I’m addicted to collecting homesteading books, gardening and cookbooks. Here are a few that I think would be incredibly beneficial to the start of your own collection.

7. Take on a bit of minimalism

The last way to start homesteading is to take on a bit of minimalism. I know this one can seem like an oxymoron when I just told you to try to make all the handmade things. All of that require supplies but I’m talking about consuming mindfully. Check in with how you spend your money and shift to a saver mindset. It is unrealistic to think that you will make every single thing you need or desire by hand but if you consider before making a purchase, “Is this necessary? Does this align with the life I want for myself?” You may realize you are spending money you could be saving for your future homestead.