Adjusting.
That's what I've been doing for almost 2 years. I've never considered myself high maintenance and I've taken pride in being flexible, but there certainly is an adjustment period when you go from living in the urban landscape and being out in the rurals. And we're not even as remote as some new homesteaders. I know that. But, I have missed being able to run to the store for that one missing ingredient in my recipe. Some things just can't be substituted. How on earth did I let us run out of coffee? It's important now to have planned meals and a stocked pantry. I really didn't have those systems in place before. It was just too easy.
It's not only grocery shopping I'm adjusting too. It's setting up new work schedules. I was an employee before with set hours and a job description. Now my husband and I are self-employed - we work for our homestead. Our hours are much different and they will be changing as we add livestock. Our job description is "Get er Done". Because if we don't do it who will? My husband David especially feels this burden. He's cut, hammered and nailed almost every board in our new home.
I've learned that my knees were worst off than I thought. All the sitting behind a desk and walking on flat surfaces did not prepare me for life out here in the rurals. I'm climbing ladders, hauling rocks in my gorilla cart and walking across not flat pastures. So physically this city girl is still adjusting.
My advice to older new homesteaders. Be prepared to adjust. Don't expect to have the same conveniences, daily schedules or even physical challenges that you had when you were city folk. Be patient, make lists, and buy comfortable shoes ;)
Freedom has to be exercised.
take care y'all
