I sit here this morning with my coffee and my new fur baby, Coco, and I’m inspired to share with you a brutally honest realization I’ve come to about myself. This is new territory for me so please bear with me as I give you a brief backstory.
I’ve always considered myself a “student” of life. I truly enjoy learning new things and applying them. However, some of those new things I’ve learned – while enjoyable at the time – have been nothing short of time wasters. I’ve also always been entrepreneurial – so sure I was just about to find that next million-dollar idea that would provide for me and mine for all of eternity. Enter eye-roll here.
Some of my endeavors did make a little money but sure fell short of that windfall I was always reaching for. I usually just ended up spinning my wheels and eventually getting bored with the whole thing and hung it up – already looking for the next new thing. My mind would change like the wind blows. It was exhausting.
As you know if you’ve read my other posts, I’m knocking on the door of 50. My life for all intents and purposes is at least half over and I realize that I have nothing to show for the nonsense I wasted so much time on for most of my adult life. It might be considered a little late for this brutal honesty about myself and my life to this point. So be it.
I’m sure I can hear you asking yourself – “This nut just admits she’s flaky and changes her mind quicker than most people change their underwear. Why should I listen to her?” I get it. I really do. And if this was a few months ago, I would agree with you 100%.
This time it really IS different. It hit me as I was in a discussion with fellow homesteaders/preppers – I have truly found my niche. It is so much more fulfilling than anything I’ve done to this point – with the exception of raising my daughters. This way of life is bigger than anything I’ve ever been involved in. This isn’t just about learning a new skill. This isn’t just about making money. This is about providing for my family in a crazy world. This is about survival.
None of us knows what tomorrow will bring. I don’t have to tell you that we live in very uncertain and unstable times. We can’t rely on others to take care of us when the chips are down. We must rely on ourselves. Maybe homesteading as a lifestyle isn’t for you. But preparing for a time when a trip to the store or the doctor isn’t feasible, should be.
As always, I welcome your comments, questions and thoughts. My last point here is this – if you’re on the fence about homesteading/prepping, I plead with you not to take too long to make the decision. As dramatic as this may seem – the very livelihood of you and your family depend on it.
Until we meet again – may your hands be in the dirt, may your head be in the sun and may your heart be one with nature…
Melanie
Life of a Homesteader 