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Homesteading for Busy People: 5 Steps to Do It All Without Losing Your Mind

In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to slow down and homestead can feel impossible. Between work, family obligations, and the hustle of everyday life, the idea of homesteading often seems reserved for people with unlimited time.

But the truth is, even busy people can embrace the homesteading lifestyle without burning out (and you don’t even have to live on a “real” homestead to do it!). In this post, I’m sharing five actionable steps to help you homestead while maintaining balance, sanity, and joy.

And remember, never compare yourself to anyone online. You aren’t seeing their full story.

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1. Assess Your Current Stage in Life

The first step to successful homesteading when you’re busy is to understand where you are in life. Are you a new mom? Do you work full-time outside the home? Is your schedule packed with kids’ activities or other commitments? Homesteading looks different depending on your life stage, and that’s okay!

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need to do everything all at once. If you’re in a particularly busy season—whether it’s having young kids, a demanding job, or other obligations—don’t force yourself to take on too much. Homesteading doesn’t have to be an “all or nothing” endeavor. You can still make progress in small ways, whether it’s through small gardening projects, cooking from scratch, or building up your homestead slowly over time.

mom showing her toddler a jar of herbs

2. Set Your Homestead Priorities (And Let Go of the Rest)

One thing I’ve learned the hard way is that some things just have to go. In order to make homesteading work for your busy life, you have to choose what matters most and let the less important things fall away. It’s all about prioritizing what’s right for your family and your schedule.

For example, I decided not to sign my kids up for extra activities in the fall. Since I love fall traditions and activities, I knew that adding more commitments would lead to stress for all of us. Instead, I focused on the simple joys—like pumpkin patches, autumn hikes, and cozy dinners. You have to choose what will bring you the most peace and joy and let go of things that might overwhelm you.

Maybe for you, it’s taking a break from the garden or simplifying your grocery shopping. Perhaps you decide to swap out some homemade meals for store-bought ones. Whatever your “sacrifices” are, it’s okay to adjust your expectations and focus on what matters most right now.

Homestead Goal Setting with Free Printable Goal Planner

t’s not about doing it all or doing it perfectly. It’s about making progress that feels right for you, one practical, achievable goal at a time. Whether you’re dreaming of growing your first tomatoes, learning to can, or just getting better at using what you already have, this is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and plan.

3. Take Tiny Habits and Make Them Big

Homesteading doesn’t need to be an all-or-nothing approach. In fact, the key to sustainable progress is small, consistent habits. Over time, these habits add up and make a big impact without overwhelming you.

For example, you don’t have to can 20 pounds of tomatoes in one weekend. Instead, start small. Set a goal to can just a few jars, and over time, it will become easier and more natural. You don’t even have to can! Begin with tiny actions like meal planning, making a shopping list, or ordering from a local farm. These small steps lead to big results, and they don’t require a huge time commitment.

By focusing on incremental progress, you can build momentum without burning out. The small habits are just as important as the big ones!

small batch canned jams

4. Let Go of Perfectionism

Perfectionism can be a major barrier to success, especially when you’re trying to juggle homesteading with a busy life. It’s easy to get caught up in the “perfect homestead” fantasy, but the truth is, homesteading doesn’t have to look flawless to be meaningful.

Let go of the idea that everything has to be perfect. You don’t need a pristine garden or a perfect batch of sourdough bread to be a successful homesteader. Instead, embrace the messiness of life and the beauty of doing what you can, when you can. If you can’t keep up with every homesteading task, that’s okay. Focus on what’s important and let go of the rest.

This mindset shift is crucial for maintaining peace and joy on your homesteading journey. It’s about progress, not perfection.

two kids picking strawberries on a farm

5. Get Out of Your Head and Just Do It

Sometimes, the hardest part is just getting started. We can spend so much time worrying about what we’re not doing, what we haven’t accomplished, or how far off track we’ve gotten. But instead of spiraling, sometimes you just have to rip off the band-aid and get going.

Don’t let perfectionism, fear, or overwhelm stop you from making progress. Whether it’s cooking a homemade meal, starting a small garden, or picking up a homesteading skill, just take that first step. The hardest part is often just starting, but once you do, the momentum will carry you forward.

Even if you’ve fallen off track or missed some milestones, remember—it’s never too late to get back to it. Whether you’re tackling your homestead goals or working on personal projects, start today, and you’ll feel much better than if you keep putting it off.

Do What You Can, When You Can

Homesteading while juggling a busy life is possible, but it requires intentionality, prioritization, and the willingness to let go of perfection. You don’t have to do it all, and it’s okay if things aren’t always perfect. Focus on what matters most and take small, actionable steps toward your homesteading goals.

Remember, every small effort counts, and with time, those efforts will add up. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure of where to start, take a deep breath and focus on just one step. You don’t have to do everything at once. You just have to do what you can, when you can.

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A working mom sits at a laptop with two young children, highlighting the challenges of being a busy homesteader.

If you have any homesteading tips that you swear by, I’d love to hear them! Share your thoughts with me on Instagram or in our Facebook group, and let’s keep the conversation going.

More about the Homestead Challenge Podcast

Do you feel like you never have time to cook from scratch the way you want to? Tried diving into the homesteading lifestyle only to end up feeling burnt out? Maybe you’re not even sure where to start. In this podcast, you will find modern and practical solutions for your suburban homestead with quick and straightforward homesteading tips and home management systems, all geared towards intentional living and finding contentment. If you’re ready to homestead in a way that meshes with your busy life— Join me and let’s make your homesteading goals a reality!

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About the Author:

I’m Brittany, totally modern and mainstream turned crunchy mama!

Read more here about how I went from a totally incompetent cook and hyper-consumer to striving to live a more meaningful life from scratch.

I can’t wait to share my modern homesteading journey with you and I hope I inspire you to join along!

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