When we first moved onto our piece of property, it felt like stepping into the life I had always dreamed of. Fresh eggs in the morning, kids running barefoot outside, and a slower, more intentional way of living. And while that is part of it… there’s also a whole lot I didn’t see coming.
If you’re dreaming about starting a homestead, or moving to a rural area, here’s what I really wish I knew before diving in.
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1. It’s Not “Slow Living” All the Time
Homesteading is often painted as peaceful and slow on social media. And sometimes it is. But more often it’s full, busy, and physically demanding.
There are no days off when you have animals.
No “I’ll get to it tomorrow” when something breaks.
No sleeping in when something needs feeding.
It’s a rhythm, not a break from work.
And honestly? I’ve learned to love that kind of fullness.
2. You Will Learn Everything the Hard Way First
You can read all the books, listen to all the podcasts, and watch all the YouTube videos but nothing replaces real life experience.
You’ll:
- Lose animals (and it will hurt more than you expect)
- Mess up your garden more than once
- Buy the wrong supplies or tools
- Question what you’re doing at least weekly
But every mistake teaches you something you’ll never forget.
3. Everything Takes Longer Than You Think
Simple projects? They’re not simple.
- “Quick” fence repair is half a day
- Building a coop equals multiple weekends
- Starting a garden…. a full season of trial and error
Add kids into the mix (because, real life), and things take even longer.
I’ve had to learn to lower my expectations on timeline but not on vision.
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4. It Can Get Expensive, Fast
A lot of people start homesteading to save money… but in the beginning, it’s the opposite.
You’ll spend money on:
- Fencing
- Feed
- Equipment
- Vet bills
- Seeds, soil, irrigation
And that’s just the start.
Over time, you can become more self-sufficient. But upfront? It’s an investment.
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5. Not Everything Will Thrive (And That’s Okay)
Some chickens won’t lay.
Some crops won’t grow.
Some plans will completely flop.
And it doesn’t mean you’re failing.
Homesteading teaches you resilience in a way nothing else does. You adapt, pivot, and try again next season.
6. Your Kids Will Learn More Than You Ever Could Teach Them
This one surprised me the most.
Homesteading has become one of the best “classrooms” for my kids:
- Responsibility (feeding animals daily)
- Patience (waiting for things to grow)
- Real-life skills (not just worksheets)
It’s messy and imperfect, but it’s real learning and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
7. You Don’t Have to Do It All at Once
This is the biggest one.
When you start, it’s easy to feel like you need:
- Chickens
- A full garden
- Cows or sheep
- Sourdough from scratch
- A stocked pantry
All immediately.
But the truth is, you don’t.
Start small.
Master one thing at a time.
Build slowly.
Homesteading isn’t a race, it’s a lifestyle you grow into.
8. Community Matters More Than You Think
Even if you’re doing this to be more independent… you still need people.
Whether it’s:
- Borrowing equipment
- Getting advice
- Trading eggs for produce
- Having someone to call when things go wrong
Having a community makes this life so much more sustainable (and a lot less overwhelming).
9. It’s Hard… But It’s Worth It
There are days I’m tired.
Days things go wrong.
Days I question why we started.
But then there are mornings collecting fresh eggs with my kids, evenings outside watching the sunset, and the quiet pride of building something meaningful.
And that makes it all worth it.
Final Thoughts
If you’re thinking about starting a homestead, don’t wait until you feel “ready.” You probably never will.
Just start.
Start small.
Stay consistent.
Give yourself grace.
Because homesteading is about creating a life that actually feels good to live.
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hey there!
I'm Sarah Elrod
I'm one half of Elrod Ranch and the person you will likely hear from the most! I am the creative marketer behind our brand. I'm a photographer, social media lover, and entrepreneurship nerd.
I'm super passionate about sharing our faily story and day to day lives which is exactly what you can expect around here!
Everything from recipes I am cooking up, to the animals we have, my best hacks for raising cow kids and more!
I'm so glad you're here!
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