If you have been struggling this year, you are not alone. It was a tough year on our urban homestead as well. For one thing, I felt like I grew almost nothing! For another, there always seemed so much more to do. But don’t let that bog you down. Many people, myself including, use ringing in the new year to start fresh, no matter where you may be or what may have happened. Here are some New Year’s resolutions we are considering adopting.
Like many Americans, we carry around debt. Lots of it. Really, too much. But all is not lost. Now, let’s be clear, I am not saying you have just this one year to get out of debt. Not at all. But you should have a plan to get out of debt, written down, with goals and deadlines you will try to meet.
My husband and I were recently going able to re-examine our budget and hope to accomplish an *almost* debt free life in about 4 and half years. I say almost because the house will still be on there. But everything else…poof! Any and all money rolling in will have no strings attached.
I’m just going to come right out and say it. This year’s garden was pitiful. I could only grow the small cherry tomatoes, the loofah vine took over (then choked out) much of the limited back yard growing space and several huge branches crushed different areas.
Our old pecan trees are just that…old. And seemingly more frequently they have decided to expel their branches including partially crushing the coop, damaging the lawn and completed decimating the okra. While I cannot control this, I can have better raised beds, a clearer plan and more container gardening in order to be flexible with both the sun and the limbs!
I have dreams. A lot of dreams. One of my dreams is to produce my own goods for profit. Something I will lovingly create, day in and day out, rain or shine, that others will enjoy as much as I do. There is just one problem… I have no idea where to start!
Like many, I have been craving the freedom this will bring me and the joy of producing for others that I am seeking. I hesitate. It is pretty scary. And some people will tell you do jump right in. But I am a realist…with a family… I do not jump, blinders on, willy nilly. No, but I can shake off the nerves and give it a go. Anybody like my lotion bars?
Ever heard of chicken math? Well its real. They are addicting. My goal though is not more chickens, 4 is enough for my small family and takes up enough space in our backyard. Next year, I would like to explore the world of meat animals
Rabbits? Quail? I’ve worked with rabbits before and have become comfortable with birds. The mobile coop I use for the hens can double for quail as well. Maybe I’ll go all in for two goats! I recently found out they are allowed here!
If you struggle with time management, then I have the solution for you! I used this technique myself in college and it slowly got away from me. Now, I am trying to do all of the things (which I can’t) in the time that I have (which is very little). Despite this, I have been able to accomplish a lot using this time management technique and you can too!
Given that time management is important to running this homestead, for the new year I need to redo it. I never did get that quilt made or buy those vermicomposting worms…next year, I will re-organize and prioritize to get the job done!
A personal goal of mine in this homesteading adventure is to slowly but surely replace the grocery store. I’d like to try my hand at inching towards only needing to buy once a month for ingredients and basics, in order to keep chugging away at making all our food from scratch.
One of my New Year’s resolutions this year is to mark off 3 more standards. I think I can do pasta, canned soups and English muffins (which I love!). We’ll see how it goes.
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