What’s the trait you value most about yourself?

When WordPress asked, “What’s the trait you most value about yourself?”, I couldn’t help but think about the homestead. Running a homestead has taught me more about myself than any other adventure in life. The truth is, I can’t narrow it down to just one trait—because the two most important traits in a successful homesteader are curiosity and determination.

Curiosity: The Gateway to Growth

Homesteading is one big experiment. From starting a backyard garden to raising chickens, there’s always something new to learn. My curiosity is what pushes me to research regenerative farming practices and try heirloom vegetable varieties. It’s the same spark that led me to beekeeping, greenhouse growing, and experimenting with natural herbal remedies for my flock.

Curiosity keeps me open-minded and excited about discovery. It turns everyday chores into opportunities to explore better ways of doing things. Without it, the homestead would quickly become routine—but with it, every season feels like a fresh chapter of learning.

Determination: The Daily Backbone of Homesteading

But curiosity alone isn’t enough. Homesteading is full of hard days—storms that flatten crops, predators that threaten chickens, or the endless repairs that come with living close to the land. Determination is what keeps me going when setbacks pile up.

It’s what gets me outside to tend the garden before sunrise, or to repair fencing in the rain. Determination means I don’t give up when things go wrong. Instead, I learn, adapt, and try again. This grit is the foundation that turns curiosity into actual results—fresh produce, thriving animals, and the satisfaction of self-sufficiency.

Why These Traits Define a Homesteader

Curiosity and determination balance each other perfectly. Curiosity asks, “What’s possible?” Determination answers, “Let’s make it happen.” Together, they’ve allowed me to build a homestead that’s not only productive, but also resilient and joyful.

At the end of the day, it’s not just about what we grow in the soil, but how we grow as people. And for me, the traits I value most—curiosity and determination—are the very ones that make this homesteading journey possible.