Ugh.
I’ve been avoiding this article mainly because I’ve been trying not to think too hard about the topic it pertains to… the future of Wild Rose Acres.
I joined Steemit and started this blog about four months ago with the hope of creating a successful Steem powered homestead. I chose to use a chunk of land in the midwest that is family owned, but this decision was my biggest mistake. I knew I would face limits with my homesteading freedom, not just because of the distance to the property but also because the land is communal (in the sense that any decisions must be approved by all members of the family).
With the recent storm that took out many trees and an inspection notice stating none of our housing is up to snuff, the family began talking about future plans for the property. The discussion made me realize how far my dreams for the property were from its’ actual future.
I can still leave my fingerprints across the land with the gardens and landscaping… but with potential new building plans and new intentions for the property, I will not be able to move there on a permanent basis. Which means Wild Rose Acres will not be my primary homestead.
It’s disappointing. I was excited to potentially make the location my new home… which it still could be in the distant future, who knows. I’m not giving up entirely. But I’m looking for a freedom and independence that I cannot find on that property at this time. So while Wild Rose Acres will be a wild, permaculture homestead that I will dedicate part of my time towards, I am now aiming to start my own homestead!
There are a couple of hiccups with this plan… the main one being I cannot move forward without resolving things from my past. I’m referring to student loans. Bleck. I owe… let’s just say a lot. So I am changing my blog’s mission and policies from here on to match my new game plan.
What’s the same?
Steem Power will continue to be held in order to improve the standing of this blog.
What’s different?
I’m splitting the Steem into two sections - 50% will be converted to SBD and 50% will be powered up into Steem Power.
I’m splitting the SBD into two sections - 50% will be stored in Steemit Savings for the new homestead and 50% will be withdrawn to make loan payments.
Once I am debt free and able to move forward with my life, 100% of the SBD will be sent to Steemit Savings (until I find my new homestead and can use the savings towards this).
So what’s going towards Wild Rose Acres?
Well, here’s the challenge. Nothing. No Steem or SBD will be used at Wild Rose Acres… but I plan on doubling the progress of the homestead! How?! By getting creative and using ingenuity + manpower to replace funding. I am going to see how much I can accomplish with no additional funding… the gardening, the composting, the fencing, everything will be accomplished with the existing items and tools. I have the land, I have the determination, I have the healthy body to do the work… and I have you all supporting me! So I think we can accomplish this!
So Wild Rose Acres will no longer be considered a Steem funded homestead… but we will begin saving up to start our own!
Thanks for your support up to this point and please stick around to see where we can go from here!
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Having a plan is paramount if you want to reach your goal and sometimes life throws us a curve ball. It sounds like you are adjusting the best that you can. The best gift I ever gave myself was becoming debt free. It's a life that can't be duplicated.
I think you've come up with a good plan to go forward with. Having property that you have full control over is the best way to develop your homestead the way that you want to do it.
Full support and best wishes in whatever direction you take. May God Bless your path!
Thank you! I really appreciate it!
I like your approach and think it's taking a positive way forward. I think your experiment with WRA to improve without external input could be a valuable learning experience. We've been taking a similar approach here this year. I need to try and stop hubby buying in too much though!
Hopefully working towards your goal will be putting lots of experience under your belt to give you a head start once you get there.
That's a great way to think about it - the experience from trying to use what I have at WRA will definitely come in handy once I find my own permanent homestead! That makes me feel even more inspired to head back to the property and continue working haha! Thank you :)
You're welcome. Glad I could inspire you. 😊 I make a point of trying to find positives wherever I can these days. It helps to keep me on track.
While it wasn't your first dream and hope I pray that your future homestead will prove to be the best place for you and your dreams. I completely understand the need to feel free. It sounds like you have a solid plan for as much of the future as you can possibly plan and I love that you aren't giving up entirely on Wild Rose Acres. You will probably learn valuable skills and lessons there that will enable you to progress faster and cheaper when you find YOUR homestead.
Yes, thank you so much! I definitely did not want to give up on WRA because it's still important to me and I know that people are already invested in its' progress! We will just have to see what the future holds for it!
Sorry for your homestead issues. I think we have all been at some point in comparison to this.
We, #homesteadslackers, support you and know you can make this work out somehow.
Thank you :) I appreciate the support!
I'm sorry it isn't panning out as hoped. I hope everything goes well soon.
Thank you! Even if everything turns against me, I'll MAKE it go well haha! ;)
Yes! Go for it!
That's rough. Here's my full upvote (not much I'm afraid) to help clear those student loans.
Aw thank you! Every penny is much appreciated!
You're welcome.
So sorry you are having to go through this! thinking of you!
Thank you! As long as you guys continue to follow along for the ride, I'm sure I'll be fine :)
I'm here for you
I can certainly understand where you're coming from. Our extended family toyed with a family owned retreat but one person's remote location and another's can be quite different. Fortunately we found this out after only traveling 3 hours one way to the prospective property. :)
We hope you find your perfect homestead. God bless!
Thank you :) I really appreciate the support!
So Sorry to hear that your dream has to be put on hold....I will pray for a speedy financial recovery for you, and back on track my homestead friend,
Thank you for your support :)