Share five things you’re good at.
One of my favorite things about homesteading is that it’s never stagnant. There’s always something to learn, refine, or improve. You’re constantly growing right alongside the animals, the garden, and the everyday rhythm of the land. When I look back at where we started and compare it to where we are now, I can honestly say we are getting better every single day—sometimes without even realizing it in the moment.
Here are five things we’ve been steadily improving at on the homestead, each one shaping us into more confident and capable homesteaders.
Getting Better at Identifying Issues With the Chickens
Chickens may not speak our language, but they are excellent communicators once you learn what to look for. Over time, we’ve gotten much stronger at picking up subtle signs that something isn’t quite right. Whether it’s a hen moving slower than usual, a rooster avoiding food, or a change in droppings or behavior, we’re catching things faster and acting sooner.
What used to be moments of uncertainty—Googling symptoms at midnight or second-guessing every feather out of place—has now become more intuitive. We’ve learned to trust our instincts, listen to the flock, and understand what their normal behavior looks like so we can spot anything abnormal early. That confidence has made a world of difference, especially when caring for a large and diverse flock.
Getting Better at Preparing for the Winter Cold Weather
Winter preparation used to feel overwhelming, especially in the early years when we still didn’t know what to expect. Now, as each cold season approaches, our system gets a little smoother and a lot more efficient. We’ve learned what matters most: insulating coops without sealing them too tightly, preparing windbreaks, securing heated waterers, and making sure the animals have warm, dry bedding before the first real cold snap hits.
We’ve also become more strategic about our own timing. When the temps dipped into the 20s this year, we were ready—waterers swapped out, drafts checked, radiant heaters in place, and all the birds happy and comfortable. Winter still brings challenges, but the more we prepare ahead of time, the easier it is to navigate those long, frosty mornings.
Getting Better at Managing Our Time
Homesteading has taught us a lot about time management—mostly because life on the homestead demands it. Between morning chores, evening routines, daily checks, cleaning, repairs, and unexpected tasks that pop up out of nowhere, you quickly learn to prioritize what really matters.
We’re slowly finding the balance between “must do today,” “can wait until tomorrow,” and “can be completely reimagined so it’s easier next time.” That shift has not only made us more productive, but it has also given us more breathing room to enjoy the homestead instead of constantly racing against it.
Getting Better at Learning as We Go
If there is one thing this lifestyle teaches you, it’s that you will never know everything—and that’s okay. What matters is the willingness to learn, adapt, and take every new experience as a chance to grow. The homestead is our classroom, and every season is a new lesson plan.
From gardening experiments to chicken flock dynamics to beekeeping discoveries, we’re always learning something new. And the more we learn, the more confident we become. Mistakes no longer feel like failures—they feel like stepping stones giving us better footing for the next challenge. That mindset shift has been one of the most rewarding parts of homesteading.
Getting Better at Trusting Ourselves
In the beginning, we second-guessed everything. Did we build that right? Is this normal chicken behavior? Should we change their feed? Are these potatoes ready to harvest? But over time, and with experience, something beautiful happens: you start trusting your instincts.
You learn what your animals need, what your land responds to, what your routines require, and what your home can handle. You stop doubting every decision and start leaning into the confidence that comes from being present, observant, and connected to the land.
Homesteading has taught us to trust our gut—because more often than not, our intuition is right.
Final Thoughts
Homesteading is full of progress, even on the days it feels messy. Each year, we get stronger, smarter, and more aligned with the rhythm of the land. We’re getting better at identifying issues with our chickens, preparing for winter, managing time, learning through trial and error, and trusting ourselves every step of the way.
At J & J Homestead, growth is part of the journey—and every improvement, big or small, brings us closer to the homestead we dream of.
If you’re on your own homesteading adventure, know this: you’re getting better, too, even if you don’t always see it.
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