What is an Urban Homesteader?
It’s funny to me, the term “Urban Homesteader”. And yet, the words aptly convey the sentiment of what I am trying to live out. I desire to do at HOME all that I’m able inSTEAD of going to a store.
My self-sufficiency journey began in suburbia, outside of Seattle. It continued on 7 acres in Georgia; in a 200 square foot log cabin in the Rockies; in my car traveling the country; and now, I’ve circled back to suburbia, outside of Philadelphia.
And my goal remains the same no matter where I call home. Be as self-sufficient as possible and less dependent on the big box stores.
Best part is, most of the skills I’ve attained over these many years, I’m able to use wherever I am! We’ve become so accustomed to the comfort of convenience, we rarely stop and question whether there is an alternative.
There are so many positives for doing at HOME inSTEAD of going to the store.
- Saving money – almost all the items I make myself are less expensive than store bought. Plus I save fuel by NOT driving to the store!
- Sense of accomplishment – there is something so gratifying about learning a new skill and it always boosts my self-confidence.
- Saving time – more times than not, I can make the item in less time than it would take to drive to the store, look for the item, purchase the item and return home. AND, I’m not hounded by the marketing ploys of other items in the store 😉
- Better quality product – especially when it comes to food! I am in control of the ingredients, no matter what I’m making.
- Often, making one item leads to the discovery of other items I can make. Recently, I made laundry soap. Then I made wool dryer balls. Then I started hanging my clothes to dry! I love the smell of my bed sheets after they’ve been dried in the sun.
Admittedly, I’ve been on a rabbit trail about the consequences of “comfort”, the liability of convenience. Adhering to an urban homesteader mindset, making or doing at home instead of going to the store, battles the complacency of comfort and convenience.
We all have the same 24 hours in a day. Accountability is high when asked, “how do you spend your day?” Confession, I’ve been battling the social media addiction of scrolling. There is anger and frustration when I realize how much time I’ve wasted and will NEVER get back! My plan of action is to be the best Urban Homesteader there is! To do as much as I’m able at HOME inSTEAD of going to a store. Thus the reason for my YouTube series, the Urban Homesteader. My list is long and in place of scrolling, I now embark on a new challenge, like trying to figure out how to make beeswax bread bags!
So here’s my curiosity question – are you doing things at HOME, inSTEAD of going to the store? If yes, what are they? I’m looking to add to my list 😉
