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Homesteading, once seen as a throwback to the past, is now a modern movement that is seeing a major resurgence in popularity. Millennials—people born in the 1980s and early 90s—increasingly seek a lifestyle that embraces simplicity, self-sufficiency, and a closer connection to nature. In the search for a more meaningful and self-reliant way of life, millennials are redefining what it means to live intentionally.
But why this huge shift in mindset? Why is the generation that grew up with technology and has every modern convenience at their fingertips turning back to the simple lives their ancestors used to lead?
1. Disillusionment with Urban Life
The percentage of people living in an urban environment has exploded in recent years, and it is estimated that by 2050, 89% of the U.S. population will live in urban areas. However, the high cost of living, job instability, and the mental strain of fast-paced urban environments have led many to consider if city life is all it promised.
For millennials, homesteading offers an escape to rural or semi-rural areas where life is slower, quieter, and more affordable. This shift allows them to focus on quality of life, wellness, and personal fulfillment.
2. Environmental Concerns
Younger generations, including millennials, are known to be more concerned about climate change, leading them to gravitate towards homesteading as a way to reduce their environmental impact.
By growing their own organic food, utilizing renewable energy, and engaging in sustainable practices like composting and water conservation, millennials are choosing homesteading as a way to live more harmoniously with nature.
3. Financial Independence
Along with ‘Gen X’, millennials have higher levels of debt and regard themselves as less likely to secure financial independence than younger generations. Facing a challenging job market, millennials are looking for ways to achieve financial stability outside of traditional employment.
Homesteading allows millennials to cut their living expenses through self-produced food and energy, and can also offer income opportunities through selling surplus produce, handmade goods, or agritourism. This lifestyle provides millennials with a buffer against economic uncertainties.
4. Health and Wellness
Millennials are increasingly focused on health and wellness, seeking control over the quality of the food they consume and the environment they live in. Homesteading allows them to grow organic produce, raise animals ethically, and avoid processed foods laden with chemicals. The physical labor involved in homesteading also promotes a more active and healthy lifestyle.
5. Escape from Technology Overload
The digital era was supposed to make our lives simpler and less stressful, but many of us find the opposite is true! The constant bombardment of digital information and the demands of staying connected have led many millennials to feel overwhelmed and mentally drained.
Homesteading offers an appealing alternative, where we can disconnect from screens and engage in hands-on, fulfilling activities. This escape from technology overload creates a deeper connection to the natural world and provides a break from the relentless pace of modern life.
6. Community Building
Although the concept of homesteading does contain elements of self-sufficiency, it is the cooperative spirit of this lifestyle that many people are drawn to. Homesteading helps to build strong community ties, where sharing resources, knowledge, and labor is common. This sense of belonging and mutual support contrasts with the often isolating nature of modern urban life.
7. Skill Development
By embracing the homesteading lifestyle, millennials can develop practical skills that empower them to be self-reliant and resourceful. Homesteading requires learning a wide array of skills such as gardening, animal husbandry, carpentry, and food preservation. These skills enable millennials to sustain their homestead and provide a sense of accomplishment and confidence in their abilities.
8. Desire for Self-Sufficiency
Driven by the uncertainty in job markets and concerns about the reliability of supply chains, millennials are increasingly seeking independence and freedom in their everyday lives. Homesteading creates a path to self-sufficiency, allowing individuals to produce their own food, energy, and goods, reducing dependence on external systems.
9. Reaction to Consumerism
Millennials are increasingly frustrated with the consumer culture that encourages endless consumption of disposable goods. Homesteading enables people to live more intentionally, focusing on quality over quantity and reducing waste. By producing what they need and repurposing materials, millennials can distance themselves from the wastefulness of modern society.
10. Desire for Meaningful Work
Many millennials find themselves in jobs that feel disconnected from their personal values or lack a sense of purpose. Homesteading offers a stark contrast, providing work that is meaningful and directly tied to their well-being. Growing food, caring for animals, and maintaining a homestead are tasks that yield visible, satisfying results and contribute directly to their quality of life.
11. Economic Opportunities
Homesteading offers various income opportunities that appeal to entrepreneurial millennials. From selling surplus produce at farmers’ markets to creating artisanal products or hosting farm stays, homesteaders can generate extra income in diverse ways.
12. Minimalism Culture
The minimalist movement, which encourages living with less and prioritizing essentials, resonates strongly with millennials. Homesteading allows people to live a simpler, more deliberate lifestyle focused on self-sufficiency, sustainability, and reducing unnecessary consumption. This approach not only simplifies their lives but also enhances their mental well-being by reducing clutter and distractions.
13. Access to Information and Resources
In the past, homesteading skills were passed from generation to generation, but many of these skills were forgotten as people embraced modern conveniences. Luckily, millennials now have unparalleled access to information through the internet, making it easier to learn about homesteading. Online communities, blogs, YouTube channels, and social media provide valuable resources, tutorials, and support networks for people with no experience of the homesteading life.
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Kate Chalmers
Kate is a passionate gardener who has a keen interest in all things related to homesteading and sustainability. She resides in Portugal with her husband and menagerie of animals and has over 15 years of experience in the UK veterinary industry. In 2020, Kate and her husband took on a dilapidated Portuguese house and abandoned olive grove, turning it into an abundant food forest and home for nature.
Life on the homestead is never the same from one day to the next, and Kate has mastered many skills that she is keen to pass on to anyone with an interest in becoming more self-sufficient. Kate believes that living a sustainable lifestyle is the key to happiness and fulfillment and that everyone can make simple changes that connect us back to nature and reduce our impact on the planet.
