Homesteading, Community and Grandma’s Wisdom

Life today moves fast, and our phones keep us constantly connected—but often in ways that don’t truly enrich our lives. Reflecting on my grandma’s way of living has taught me valuable lessons about purpose, joy, and community.

Key Points:

• Limit Phone Distractions: Phones have only been part of our lives for a short time, yet they dominate so much of our attention. Even in the days of landlines, people weren’t tethered to them—they got up and got things done! I’ll admit it: my screen time used to average 6-8 hours a day. That’s time I’ll never get back. Viewing our phones as tools instead of entertainment can help us reclaim time for more meaningful pursuits.

• Find Entertainment in Tasks: My grandma didn’t have entertainment at her fingertips. If she wanted something, she made it herself. Activities like crocheting, baking, gardening, and even singing were her forms of enjoyment. These tasks brought her not only entertainment but also a deep sense of satisfaction and purpose. By shifting our focus to creative, hands-on activities, we can rediscover the joy of simple work.

• Build a Strong Community: Grandma’s generation thrived on community. In rural areas, survival often depended on it. Friends and neighbors came together for quilting bees, work parties, and harvest days. These shared efforts were hard work but brought a sense of satisfaction and connection modern conveniences can’t replace.

  Today, we can rebuild community by reaching out:

  • Bake cookies for a neighbor.

  • Offer to help with a project.

  • Invite someone to join you in a task and share the abundance.

• Bringing These Lessons into Modern Life: Start small by setting boundaries for phone use and prioritizing meaningful interactions. Replace passive entertainment with creative tasks that enrich your life and home. Be gracious and giving—extend kindness to your neighbors and build the connections that sustain us all.

We’ll dive deeper into these ideas in future episodes, but for now, I encourage you to take just one step toward reclaiming time and building a stronger sense of community.

Resources:

I’d love to hear your thoughts! What tasks bring you joy, or how do you connect with your neighbors?

Send me an email at connect@simplylivinghomestead.com—I can’t wait to hear from you!