I never set out to own a homestead or even learn about a homesteading lifestyle. It found me. I could say the same about dealing with various health issues. I never intended to be in a place where writing was a daily struggle—whether it’s against the weeds or against fatigue. But homesteading has taught me a lot about living with a constant health condition. I just needed to pay attention.
In many ways, my interest homesteading came out of my battle with chronic illness. After I began experiencing severe migraines as a young adult, I discovered that many of the foods I was eating triggered headaches—even those that weren’t necessarily migraines. I had a choice: eliminate the foods that were the culprit or live with the pain. Initially, I fought it. But when I finally gave in—and it took years!—my life dramatically changed.
Processed meats were the main offenders. But the preservatives found in bacon, sausage, pepperoni (and all those lovely things) were also in most of the canned and boxed food that were on the shelves in the center of the grocery store. As I leaned into buying more fresh produce and preservative-free meats (which was rare back in the 1990s), I began looking for recipes and ways to stay clean and migraine-free.
That’s when I found the homesteading community. I started buying more from farmers markets and local orchards. I learned how to can my own food, grow and dry herbs, and even forage for things growing in my own yard. And clean eating was just the beginning. It lead to making our own skin cream and laundry soap, thanks to my husband’s severe eczema!
And in the process, my journey as a homesteader began to greatly impact my writing. I learned so many lessons from living off the land that taught me how to be a better—well, more patient, anyway—writer. And yes, it did even lead to a published picture book, but even that was a surprise!
I learned so many lessons from living off the land that taught me how to be a better—well, more patient, anyway—writer.
Both journeys have been full of surprises and intertwined in ways I could never imagine. So, I thought I’d share a few of these a-ha moments that I’ve learned along the way. Maybe, one of them will lead to an a-ha moment of your own? (If so, please share!)
Every season has its joys and challenges.
Being a homesteader is a year-round job. I love the fresh feel of the spring. I get excited about experimenting with new herbs and planting. But spring storms often leave me bedridden with migraines. Summers are never slow—there are weeds to pull and plants to trim. While I hate the heat, the warmer weather means lots of fresh tomato sandwiches and summer salads. In the fall (my personal favorite), we are busy canning and preserving our food for the winter months, and there is never enough time to do all things we need to do. I hate being trapped inside during the winter months, but I love making homemade soups and preparing bone broth. The ground needs time to rest before the next season begins.
Writing and publishing is very seasonal—not just with the catalog schedules. Learning to write and querying is full of both promise and anxiety. But so is publishing a new book and signing with an agent. The joys and the challenges are very different. I’m learning to appreciate both as I walk through each season. Because, just like homesteading, the season will soon change.
Hurry up and wait!
No matter how much I plan ahead, I always have periods during the year where I’m rushing to get everything done. Seeds needs to be planted early enough to have time to germinate. Produce needs to be canned in a small window while it’s still ripe. Weeds need be removed between the afternoon thunderstorms. It’s never ending!
The same goes for waiting. Plants don’t grow overnight. Fruit and vegetables need time to mature and ripen. If picked too early, they are bitter. Too late, and they are mushy. Progress is often painfully slow.
My writing process was a long journey. Some periods were hectic as I rushed to meet tight deadlines. And others seemed to drag on for months—and even years—while I waited on that one “YES!” from an editor or agent. But just like my plants, I had to wait for the right moment, when my writing had matured enough and I was ready to take the next step. And if I’m honest, I have to admit: the waiting was NEVER easy!
Take care of the land, and it will take care of you
Homesteading is not just about living off the land, but it’s about taking care of our resources. Both farmers and homesteaders know—and if they don’t know, they will soon learn—that if you abuse the land and drain it of its nutrients, it will have nothing to give you in return. The land needs time to rest and replenish itself.
I think every person I’ve featured on the blog has said a similar thing about our own bodies. We need time to rest—not just physically, but sometimes, creatively as well. Rest restores our energy, gives us fresh new vision, and empowers us forward. I haven’t met someone yet (even those who don’t deal with chronic illnesses) who can keep going at full speed for too long without a break for recovery. They will eventually crash and and face burnout. Some of us need more frequent, or even longer, breaks than others. That’s okay.
Take care of yourself and your body will take care of you!
Every year is an experiment.
My husband and I have been gardening, preserving, and creating our own products for about ten years. Every year, there’s something new to learn. The weather is different—we get less rain than we need, or we get more (i.e. Hurricane Helene last year). One crop does really well one year, then tanks the next. Or we learn a new way to do something that changes everything. We learn how to make sourdough bread, or a new recipe to try, or a technique to use in our garden.
Every year brings a new chance to learn and grow. We are not experts and don’t think we’ll ever reach the place where we’ve “learned it all.” In many ways, I could say the same about my writing. I’m always learning new things. Our audiences are always evolving and growing. Culture changes. The publishing industry shift. I’ve had to learn to be flexible because nothing seems to stay the same.
I’ve had to learn to be flexible because nothing seems to stay the same.
What are you learning from other areas in your life that applies to your writing? It could be from your career or from a spouse or friend. The longer I’m in this journey, I’ve realized that all things I learn in one area of my life seem to bleed over into other areas. Or maybe I just need to see something repeatedly before I learn it!
I’d love to hear about the things you are learning as we walk this journey together.
Be sure to check out the links below for information about my newest book, M IS FOR MASON JAR: A Homesteading Alphabet.
CAROLYN BENNETT FRAISER is the author of several educational books for children including MOON TREE (2022), M IS FOR MASON JAR (2025), and FIRE SEEDS (coming in 2028). Connect with her on social media @CarolynBFraiser or visit her website at CarolynBFraiser.com.
ABOUT THE BOOK: Children are an essential part of any homestead. From canning creamed corn and cucumbers to scattering seeds in the soil, explore a fun modern-day homesteading activity for every letter of the alphabet, just for young homesteaders. With alliterative text, M Is for Mason Jar is a mix of nostalgia and modernism. Whether in the country or the city, the time-honored practices of the homestead will encourage kids to be more self-reliant and to be thankful for the bounty of the earth and the work of their hands. Includes one page of backmatter to help kids get involved in homesteading activities.
Buy your copy today: Bookshop | Amazon | Barnes and Noble
CAROLYN BENNETT FRAISER 