The Homestead Challenge Podcast | Suburban Homesteading, Gardening, Food From Scratch, Sustainable Living

Ep 26. Can you be a homesteader and a minimalist? 5 Ways I Got Minimalism All Wrong

Spring cleaning is ALL the rage on the interwebs, and there are a few buzzwords that go around this time of year. Mainly, "minimalism." Don't run away yet! I know... most of us homesteady types are NOT here for minimalism.
But hear me out, I think minimalism has a few principles we can apply to better our homestead lives (and no, not that cold, gray aesthetic).
Check out 5 mistakes I made when I thought I had to be a minimalist and how we can all learn a few minimalist values to help reach our 2024 goals!
 
Homework:
Before bringing something new into your life, whether it is a physical item or an activity, make sure it aligns with your homestead goals.
 
Links Mentioned:
FREE Challenge: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/time
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The Homestead Challenge Facebook Community
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Ep 25. 3 Step Spring Refresh to Revitalize Your Homestead Routine

Starting a solid routine before the busy homestead season is crucial, especially if your kiddos will be out of school over the summer! Everyone is spring cleaning right now, but there is so much more to it than that! Getting these things out of the way now will ensure your homestead's success for the year and get you into a rhythm that will make the rest of the year run so much smoother. 
Listen in for 3 ways to spring refresh your homestead so you can set yourself up for an abundant and stress-free season ahead!
 
Links Mentioned:
FREE Time Management Challenge: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/time
Sustainable Declutter Challenge: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/eco-friendly-printable-30-day-declutter-challenge/
Spring Simmer Pot Recipe: https://thehomesteadchallenge.com/simple-spring-floral-and-citrus-simmer-pot-recipe/
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Ep 24. Eat Your Frogs: How to Reset Your Homestead When You Feel Burnt Out

I am so excited to share Field Prep Foundations, a FREE 5-day challenge to help you reclaim and realign your time.
Over the course of five days, you will receive emails with a video challenge containing simple, actionable steps for you to move toward a homestead jam-packed with all of the things you want to do, and ditching the rest.
Here's what to expect:
• Identifying Time Wasters
• Homestead Goal Setting
• Time Blocking
• Automating + Delegating Tasks
All straight to your inbox! Each day is designed to help you cultivate a more organized and productive approach to your homesteading activities.
 
JOIN THE FREE CHALLENGE
https://thehomesteadchallenge.com
The Homestead Challenge Facebook Community
 

Ep 23. The Importance of Local Community in Homesteading with Caitlin of Homegrown Hopes

In today's conversation, Caitlin of Homegrown Hopes shares some common misconceptions about homesteading, tackling the myths of homesteading and the importance of local community (something I am not always the best at!). It's all about finding balance, leaning on each other's strengths, and creating a supportive network.
For those aspiring or current homesteaders, Caitlin leaves you with a message of patience, continuous learning, and the courage to put knowledge into action. Whether it's starting small with herbs on an apartment balcony or joining a local community garden, the key is to dive in and try.
Don't forget to check out Caitlin's podcast, Homegrown Hopes, after this episode!
LINKS MENTIONED
https://homegrownhopes.com/
https://holistichomesteadconference.com/
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Ep 22. Non-Toxic Cleaning Routine without Essential Oils

I am feeling the clean and declutter bug. Big time. I think that is totally normal for this time of year. More and more people move toward non-toxic cleaners every year, and I wanted to give you my favorite recipes (without essential oils... well... sometimes) in case you are looking to do the same in your own homestead.
I have a complicated relationship with essential oils that are so beloved by the crunchy community. Dive on into this episode to learn why I am not in love with them, and what I use instead! 
HOMEWORK: Start infusing some white vinegar! 
 
Links Mentioned:
DIY Thieves Cleaner
DIY Wood Cleaner
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Links for all of my favorite products
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Ep 21. How I Did All of My Homestead Tasks in 45 Minutes

Discover how to efficiently tackle your homestead tasks! Today, I'm chatting about how I managed all my homestead tasks in just 45 minutes by using the critical path method. 
Streamlining tasks to overcome the chaos of jumping from one task to another can help boost our productivity while actually making us feel LESS busy. Transitioning from the strict structure of academia to the flexibility of homesteading led me to feel a little bit lost without structure in my days. I found methods that actually work to increase my productivity, make me less busy, but still remain flexible.
Implementation for Larger Projects:
List project activities.
Identify dependencies.
Create a critical path diagram.
Calculate the duration of each activity.
Determine the overall timeline following the critical path.
Links Mentioned:
Get Your Free Homesteading Roadmap
Links for all of my favorite products
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The Homestead Challenge Facebook Community
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Ep 20. Seed Sorting Simplified: Organizing Strategies for Every Gardener

Seed organizing sounds like a daunting task, but it is actually kind of fun! Hear me out... you get to see what else you still need to buy and then go seed shopping! What could be better than that?
I've learned that if I get organized in a way that works for my brain before the peak of garden season, I will set myself up for a lot more success (and a lot less stress). When it's go-time, I will get to play in the garden and get my hands in the dirt, not trying to remember what I am supposed to plant and when.
Recall the organization styles we explored in Episode 12 about kitchen organization. It's time to apply those principles to your garden seed organizing.
 
Homework: Get yourself organized. Really. Do it. Today.
Links Mentioned:
The Best Seed Organizing Ideas
Get Your Free Homesteading Roadmap
Links for all of my favorite products
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Ep 19. Grit & Growth: Overcoming Homestead Fears and Failures

Whether you're daunted by the prospect of failure or success, homesteading fears can be REAL. I received a thought-provoking question from a Facebook follower and I couldn't resist talking about this topic right away (because I think it hits home for all of us).
In this episode, I explore the complex emotions that come with change – from the unsettling fear of failure to the surprising apprehension of success, and even the daunting impostor syndrome. Why does success sometimes scare us as much as failure? 
Let's confront these fears head-on. What happens when our worst fears come to life?
This episode isn't just about homesteading – it's about growth, resilience, and the courage to face our fears.
Homework:
Make the lists of fears you either had starting out or still have, then make a list of your fears once you get started? Take time to let them sink in and truly think about whats worse. I don’t think you will struggle to make your dreams come true if you look at the alternatives.
 
Links Mentioned:
Get Your Free Homesteading Roadmap
Links for all of my favorite products
Instagram
The Homestead Challenge Facebook Community
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Ep 18. Homesteading Hills That I Am Not Going To Die On

People have some seriously strong opinions online over homesteading things. Whether it be politics, sustainability, health claims... the list goes on and on. Don't get me wrong! I AM HERE FOR THAT! I am here for homesteaders speaking out about things no one else is talking about. What I am not all about? YOU thinking that you have to die on all of these hills. That is tiring and honestly, impossible.
There are some hills that I personally am not willing to die on, but you might! Make sure you are prioritizing what actually matters to you most for your own homestead. In today's episode, I wanted to chat about some things that I decided to let slide a bit so I can focus on what's important most to me.
 
Homework: Join the Facebook group and tell me the hill you would die on. What do you want to scream from the rooftops?
 
Links Mentioned:
Get Your Free Homesteading Roadmap
Links for all of my favorite products
Instagram
The Homestead Challenge Facebook Community
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Ep 17. 5 Ways to Homestead When You Are Sick

I don't know how it got us again, but the family has gone through another round of colds. I thought we were done for the season! Alas, I wanted to think of things I could check off my homestead to-do list from the couch.
In today's episode, I am going to chat about 5 ways you homestead while you are sick, so all of your systems don't crumble, you stay organized, and you don't come back from illness to a hot mess house! If you found any of these tips helpful, please leave a 5-star written review. It would mean the world to me.
Homework: Make an extra of one of your meals this week that freezes well and put it in the freezer to have on hand.
 
Links Mentioned:
Get Your Free Homesteading Roadmap
Links for all of my favorite products
Instagram
The Homestead Challenge Facebook Community
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