Why?

Beginning a Homestead and Living Without - for Sustainability

When we first embarked on this adventure two years ago this land was 100% bare. There was one broken-down outhouse at the top of the property and that was it. We slept in a 10-foot utility trailer as we cleared land and prepared the sea can house for the winter. Cold showers from a jug sitting atop a ladder felt like a luxury at the end of a long day’s work.

So why put ourselves through this? Why live without running water or power?

I love being out in the wilderness, with cougars and bears as my neighbours but there’s more to it than that.

Quoting my first post ‘The Beginning of a Blog’;

“I want to live more simply and self-reliantly. To understand fully where my food comes from and how I consume. To learn how to make my own things. My best example is that I own a wood mill. I can make a tree into lumber. That makes me happy. Seeking out the organic section at the grocery store doesn’t do it for me.”

I think that many people can relate. How we get the things that we need to live is so convoluted and confusing. It makes us feel trapped and as though we can’t sustain our own lives. Even when we seek out organic or ethically made things it’s hard to be sure what it claims to be is true. In my opinion, it shouldn’t be so complicated. I refuse to think we can’t choose to support ourselves.

It starts with growing our own food. Setting up a garden, having some animals and figuring out what works on our unique property. Since I’m at a higher elevation, the growing season is much shorter. Gardening will require more consideration. The animals need more substantial housing and food than usual too. It takes a ton of planning and a lot of ‘stuff’ to start out.

We now have an array of equipment, hardware and supplies that we need to establish the property. The wood mill has been a huge asset. Not only can we make our own lumber but we’re learning the specifics of how lumber is made! Oddly enough, I’ve learned that even making a tree into usable wood like the stuff we buy at the store, has been overcomplicated. It helps with consistency and quality but in my opinion - is overcomplicated. There are additional steps that many projects don’t require and it creates a lot of waste.

Accruing more ‘things’ while wanting to live more simply is counterintuitive. Until I remember that this experience is giving me knowledge and experience that I can pass on to others. My hope is that we can learn to be self-reliant at a mile high. While living on untamed land and with limited access - I hope to inspire others to do similar. To live more simply and with less, leaving less of a footprint and still being happy and fulfilled.

The Goal

The goal is to be almost completely self-sufficient. Which is a lot. I know that it’s not a realistic goal for everyone. There will be challenges, successes and failures. I’ll likely learn that some things just aren’t possible - but we’ll see! I’m inspired by a high-altitude farmer in Colorado who has tropical trees in their greenhouse! If I can figure out how to grow bananas, anything’s possible.

I know that many people think and feel the same way as me. Worrying about our effect on ecosystems and the climate and wanting to do more. Seeing hypocrisy in the way that products get to us and wondering if there isn’t a better way.

I have a hard time telling people ‘what I think they should do’ but - I’ll make some suggestions.

1. Buy local and try to know where your food comes from. It’s almost always more expensive because it’s better. Everything that we need can be made locally. Things that can’t be made locally or at least domestically should be a treat. I’m frugal and so, I often don’t follow this as much as I should. I’m not perfect.

2. Embrace wild edibles. Here’s a weird fact. Half of the edible plants that I’m discovering on my property were introduced. They’re non-native. Oxeye daisy for instance. Pretty, Invasive, Tasty. We should be eating it.

3. Teach others. If you’ve found a great butcher, local artisan, or new wild edible - share that knowledge. Encourage and support local businesses - show people what you’ve learned. Even if it makes you seem a tad weird as you chomp on someone’s weeds.

4. Be mindful of your own consumption. Truly, it’s a hard thing to do. Having electricity and water plumbed to our houses it’s almost impossible to really understand.. It’s great. But in a way, it’s caused us to lose touch. Being here has really brought to light how much it takes to support our lives and also how easily you can live with less. Try to be mindful of the things that are within your control, like how much garbage we produce and the food we waste.

   

A big problem

We talk a lot about waste and consumption. Climate change and our effect on it. But acting on our feelings is daunting and difficult. It can feel overwhelming and makes us feel helpless. Seeing other people over-consuming, or policies that don’t make sense gives us an excuse to go against our beliefs. We know that’s not a good enough reason and yet, we do. Changing the way that we conduct ourselves is the best way to act. Whether that be by following my suggestions or finding your own ways to help - do it.

If you’re happy with how things are, that’s great. The system is amazing. The way that products and services are provided to us is better than it’s ever been. It’s truly incredible! Hopefully, sustainability isn’t an issue - but that doesn’t change my suggestions and reasons for being here. Just because we can consume in abundance doesn’t mean that we should.

Simplifications become over-complications.

This is a thought that I often have - but it’s hard to put into words. Here’s an attempt:

With kids and jobs and places to be, life’s busy. To help with our busy lives we try to make things simpler and more convenient - but it often doesn’t work out that way. For example, when something fails. Something like your hot water tank. You can’t usually mend one, and it’s expensive to fix. Automated lives that depend on technology and logistics chains -leave us unequipped for when things mess up. All we know is how to “go buy a new one’. Taking time out of our busy days and money out of our wallets.

Suddenly things are actually easier and more cost-effective if we did them more simply. You know when we say, ‘I made xx money last month and have nothing to show for it!’ In my opinion, that’s usually where it went. Complications.

As I pursue my own goals and develop personally I hope to inspire others. I believe that finding gratification and happiness from simple things is an important lesson. There’s something to be gained in taking the time to pour your own coffee. Encountering a dilemma, like something breaking and figuring out how to mend it. Doing things more simply. Like heating water for the bath or growing some of your own food.

Let me know what you do to be more sustainable, and what you hope to improve on in the comments below!