If you’ve ever caught yourself getting more excited about a new compost bin than a new phone or spent your free time googling how to make homemade soap, you might be living the homesteading life. Homesteading is more than just a lifestyle; it’s a mindset, a way of embracing the land and your connection to it, even if that means getting covered in dirt and spending way too much time hunting for that one elusive chicken egg.
So, how do you know if you’ve really become a homesteader? Well, here are 10 telltale signs you might just be embracing the homesteading life—and they might even make you chuckle (because, let’s face it, homesteading is a whole lot of messy fun).
1. You Have More Rakes Than Friends
You know you’ve reached peak homesteader status when your collection of rakes, shovels, and hoes rivals the number of people in your social circle. You can’t pass up a good rake, even if you already have five in the shed (each with a slightly different shape for different types of jobs, of course). You’ve definitely got that one rake that’s been passed down through generations. It doesn’t just rake leaves—it’s part of the family.
Let’s face it: when you’re neck-deep in compost and chicken feed, your tools become your closest companions, and your friends—well, they come second. You’re always prepared for any yardwork emergency and definitely know the difference between a leaf rake and a garden rake (and aren’t afraid to let people know).
2. You’ve Named Your Chickens (And You Talk to Them Like They’re People)
When you start naming your chickens after famous movie stars or food items, you’ve officially crossed the line into full-blown homesteading. “Oh, this is Betty White—she lays the best eggs!” you might say proudly, or “Come on, Bacon, lay that egg already!” Me personally, I have a mated pair of Royal Palm turkeys, their names are Bonnie and Clyde.
Your chickens are no longer just poultry; they’re family. And you talk to them like they understand every word. Sure, they might not respond to your gentle admonishments, but in your heart, you know they’re just a few words away from being the next great egg-laying superstar.
3. Your ‘Sunday Funday’ Is Spent Mucking Out the Barn, and You’re Okay with That
While your non-homesteading friends are out brunching and scrolling through social media, you’re shoveling manure. And honestly? You’re kind of enjoying it. There’s something strangely satisfying about cleaning out a barn, feeding the animals, and feeling like a true farm warrior. If you start your Sunday mornings with a shovel in hand and a smile on your face, congratulations, you’re living the homesteader dream.
Bonus points if you’ve traded in your fancy brunch plans for a full-on DIY breakfast made from eggs you’ve gathered yourself. You know it’s not just any breakfast—it’s your breakfast.
4. You Have a Pantry That Could Survive a Zombie Apocalypse
If you’ve got more jars of canned tomatoes, beans, and pickles than you’ll ever realistically eat, you’re probably a homesteader. Your pantry is a shrine to your DIY skills, and the shelves are overflowing with your homemade preserves, pickles, and jams. You might even have a few jars with labels like “Apple Pie Filling—Do Not Touch Until November” (even though they’re taking up valuable pantry space).
You can practically feel the satisfaction every time you look at it. And let’s not even get started on your impressive collection of homemade sauces, jams, and random vegetables that you grew yourself and turned into something jar-worthy. Who needs store-bought when you’ve got your own stash?
5. You’ve Started Calling Your Garden ‘The Farm’ (Even Though It’s Only 10×10 Feet)
You might have only a small patch of land, but you refer to it as “The Farm” like you’re running a massive agricultural operation. That tiny garden with the tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs is your homestead’s pride and joy. You even get a little defensive when someone calls it a “garden.” No, no, no—this is your “farm,” and you work hard to make it thrive.
Your neighbors might wonder why you’re out there talking to the tomatoes like they’re your personal pets, but you know the truth: this little piece of land is your kingdom, and you’re doing the best you can to feed your family with it.
6. You’ve Googled ‘How to Make Soap’ More Than Once (And Maybe Tried It)
You thought DIY soap-making was for hippies and survivalists, but now you’ve watched 47 YouTube tutorials and are knee-deep in lye and olive oil, trying to make the perfect bar of soap. The thing is, you’re actually kind of excited about it. You can’t remember the last time you bought store-bought soap, and you’re pretty sure your homemade batch is way better anyway.
If you’ve gotten to the point where “homemade soap” has replaced “craft beer” in your hobbies, congratulations! You’re a certified homesteader. Bonus points if you’ve used your soap-making endeavors as an excuse to buy more essential oils or exotic herbs to enhance your creations.
7. You Keep Talking About Your Compost Like It’s a High-End Investment
When you refer to your compost pile as “liquid gold,” “black gold,” or “the secret to my garden’s success,” you know you’ve gone full homesteader. You’ve spent hours researching the best ways to compost, making sure you balance the browns and greens just right. Your compost pile is carefully tended to, and you treat it with more reverence than most people treat their vehicles.
You’ve even reached the point where you can smell when it’s ready for the garden. Your neighbors might not understand why you’re so obsessed with a pile of decomposing organic matter, but you know better: you’re sitting on a goldmine.
8. You’ve Started Using Terms Like ‘Permaculture’ and ‘Crop Rotation’ in Casual Conversation
If you’ve started casually throwing around terms like “permaculture” or “companion planting” in a conversation at the dinner table, you’re definitely a homesteader. You might have even started researching crop rotation strategies for your vegetable beds and discussing the finer points of organic farming with your friends as if it’s second nature.
For those who aren’t in the know, these terms sound like something from a farming textbook. But to you, it’s the secret sauce that makes your homestead thrive. And no, you’re not going back, crop rotation is forever.
9. You’ve Got an Unhealthy Obsession with Making Your Own Bread (And You’re Not Sorry)
You started by buying a cute bread maker, and now? Now you’re obsessed with sourdough starters, making everything from baguettes to cinnamon rolls. You’ve even started growing your own yeast (okay, not really, but you’ve considered it). You can’t help but brag about your homemade loaves to anyone who will listen—no store-bought bread compares.
Sure, you’ve got a few flour-coated aprons hanging around the kitchen, but they’re badges of honor. You’ve embraced the art of bread-making—and, let’s be real, your house smells amazing.
10. You’ve Started Looking at Your Lawn and Thinking, ‘What Else Can I Grow Here?’
At some point, it happens. You look at your well-manicured lawn and think, “Why am I just mowing this? I could grow something useful here.” Whether it’s herbs, vegetables, or even edible flowers, you start questioning the whole idea of “grass for decoration.”
Suddenly, your lawn is an opportunity—an opportunity to grow food, build a garden bed, or create a homemade herb patch. And the more you think about it, the more you realize that the only thing standing in the way of transforming your entire yard into a garden is…well, time. But you’re ready. You’re so ready.
Final Thoughts: Welcome to the Homestead
If you found yourself nodding along with any of these signs, congratulations! You’ve officially crossed over into the world of homesteading, where the rakes are many, the bread is always fresh, and your chickens probably have more personality than some of your friends. Embrace it. Wear your homesteading identity proudly, because let’s be honest: there’s no turning back now. You’re in it for the long haul—just make sure to keep a few extra rakes on hand for when the mood strikes!
Happy homesteading, and may your compost always be perfectly balanced!
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