- The Steady Home-stead 🏡
- Posts
- Could this old homestead tip increase your productivity? + career planning tools inside!
Could this old homestead tip increase your productivity? + career planning tools inside!
Quick question, do you believe the rise of plant-based plastics is a genuine move toward sustainability, or just another corporate greenwashing tactic?
Cedie Omaña
October 10, 2024
In partnership with
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"He who plants a tree, plants hope."
— Lucy Larcom
HOMESTEAD TIP OF THE DAY
Harvest any remaining vegetables before the frost hits – it’s a race against time, but your pantry will be packed with fall goodies!
Do you believe the rise of plant-based plastics is a genuine move toward sustainability, or just another corporate greenwashing tactic? |
|
IN TODAY'S EDITION
Homestead Tip 🌱
Poll Results From Last Tuesday 📊
All Things Homestead: Reviving Old Homestead Practices ✊
Personal Development: Planning for Career Growth 🧐
Today's Top Picks 🛍️
Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣
If you're frustrated by one-sided reporting, our 5-minute newsletter is the missing piece. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you comprehensive, unbiased news—free from political agendas. Stay informed with factual coverage on the topics that matter.
POLL RESULTS FROM LAST TUESDAY
Do you think there's a concerted effort to keep sustainable living practices out of mainstream education?
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Yes, to keep people dependent on the consumer market.
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ It might be, but it could also be due to a lack of resources.
🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ I'm not sure, but more should be done to promote sustainability.
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ No, it's just that sustainability isn't a priority in many curricula.
via @beehiiv polls
Feel free to participate in fun polls in our next newsletters! 😉
ALL THINGS HOMESTEAD
Reviving Old Homestead Practices ✊
In today’s busy world, many homesteaders are looking back to old-fashioned ways to simplify life and become more sustainable. These tried-and-true methods, used by our ancestors, are making a comeback for good reason.
1. Canning and Preserving
Canning used to be a staple on every homestead, and now it’s making a strong return. By canning your garden’s harvest, you can enjoy fresh tomatoes, pickles, and jams all year long. Plus, you know exactly what’s in your food—no preservatives or extra sugar.
Why it works now: It saves money and reduces waste while giving you the satisfaction of homemade food during winter.
2. Seed Saving
Long ago, farmers saved seeds from their best plants for the next season. Today, more homesteaders are doing the same, especially with heirloom varieties. Saving seeds from plants that thrive in your garden ensures future harvests that are well-suited to your local conditions.
Why it’s back: Seed saving promotes self-reliance, saves money, and preserves plant diversity.
3. Composting
Composting is one of the oldest ways to recycle kitchen scraps and yard waste into valuable fertilizer. By composting, you create nutrient-rich soil without the need for chemical fertilizers. Plus, it helps keep organic waste out of landfills.
Why it’s popular: Composting improves garden soil naturally, is eco-friendly, and cuts down on waste.
4. Using Animals for Work
Before tractors, animals like horses and oxen did much of the heavy farm work. While machinery is common today, some homesteaders are bringing animals back into the fold. Using draft animals for tasks like plowing or hauling reduces fuel use and connects you more to the land.
Why it works now: It’s an eco-friendly alternative to machines and strengthens the bond between homesteaders and their animals.
5. Bartering and Trading
In the past, homesteaders often traded goods and services. Whether it’s trading eggs for vegetables or skills like fixing fences, bartering is coming back as a way to build community and save money.
Why it’s helpful: Bartering fosters relationships and reduces the need for cash.
6. Root Cellars
Before refrigeration, root cellars kept perishable foods like potatoes and apples fresh for months. Many modern homesteaders are building or reviving root cellars as an energy-free way to store food.
Why it’s making a return: Root cellars provide a simple, eco-friendly way to store your harvest.
7. Rotational Grazing
Rotating animals between pastures was a traditional way to prevent overgrazing and improve soil health. Today, this method is being brought back to maintain healthier pastures and livestock.
Why it’s smart: It promotes better soil, healthier animals, and reduces the need for fertilizers.
8. Rainwater Harvesting
Before city plumbing, homesteads relied on rainwater for household and farm needs. Many are now returning to this method, installing rain barrels and cisterns to save water for gardens and livestock.
Why it’s practical: Rainwater harvesting is an eco-friendly way to save on water bills and conserve a valuable resource.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Planning for Career Growth 🧐
Building a career you love takes time, but with a clear plan, you can start making progress today. Whether you're aiming to advance in your current job or explore something entirely new, the key is to set achievable goals and take action.
1. Start by Defining Your Career Goals
The first step in planning for career growth is figuring out where you want to go. Take time to reflect on your interests, strengths, and long-term desires. Ask yourself: What kind of work excites me? What lifestyle do I want to support? The clearer you are about your destination, the easier it is to create a roadmap to get there.
Tip: Break big goals into smaller, manageable milestones.
2. Use the “Prototype” Approach
In their book Designing Your Life, Bill Burnett and Dave Evans introduce the idea of prototyping—a method used by designers to test ideas before fully committing to them. This approach works for career planning too. Before making a major career move, test it out. Take on freelance work, shadow someone in the role, or start a side project that allows you to explore the field without jumping in headfirst.
3. Build a Support Network
Career growth is not a solo journey. Surround yourself with mentors, colleagues, and friends who can offer advice, feedback, and encouragement. Join professional groups or attend industry events to meet new people and gain insights.
Tip: Make networking a regular part of your routine, not just something you do when you need a new job. The relationships you build over time can open doors in unexpected ways.
4. Invest in Learning and Development
To move forward in your career, staying updated on trends and continuously improving your skills is essential. Whether it's enrolling in an online course, attending workshops, or reading industry-specific books, personal growth and career growth go hand in hand.
Tip: Make a habit of dedicating a small portion of your week to learning something new.
5. Track Your Progress and Adjust When Needed
Career growth isn't a straight line. Setbacks happen, goals change, and you might discover new interests along the way. It’s important to regularly review your progress. What’s working? What’s not? Are you enjoying the path you’re on? Adjust your plan when needed and keep moving forward.
Tip: Every few months, review your goals and make sure they still align with where you want to go. It’s okay to change direction if your priorities shift.
6. Celebrate Small Wins Along the Way
Sometimes we get so focused on the big picture that we forget to recognize the progress we’ve made. Celebrating small wins keeps you motivated. Did you finish a course? Volunteer for a leadership role at work? These moments matter. Acknowledge them, and let them fuel your drive to keep growing.
THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER
What do you get if you divide the circumference of a pumpkin by its diameter?
Pumpkin Pi.
TODAY'S TOP PICKS
LET’S KEEP IT REEL!
I've put together some fantastic farm videos that are sure to make you laugh. Take a look and enjoy the fun!
Just a few little chicks having fun on a car ride:
@jileantor #🐣 #🐤 #cutechicks #funnypets #słodkiekurczaki #śmiesznezwierzaki #lindasgallinas #mascotasgraciosas
Gotta soak up all the plant-powered dopamine, right:
@asteria.sol.creations #plantlover #plants #plantperson #plantmeme #plantjoke #relatable #plantparent #plantmom #plantshopping
When you’re feeling playful enough to prank your cows:
@janachavess #fazenda #natureza #boi #cavalos #comedy #comedia #quarentena
ENGAGE WITH US
How'd you like today's newsletter? |