Homestead Daily Schedule
Do you long for a simpler life but are not sure you can do the work physically? If so, this article is for you! Get a look at a sample homestead daily schedule so you can see how easy it is to live a simpler life no matter how old or physically challenged you are.
Homesteading tips for middle-aged women and empty nesters who struggle with space, time, and aching backs.
Homesteading brings to mind days from the past- a call back to simpler times when life was slower, and trips to the store were few and far between. If you are a middle-aged woman or an empty nester who is drawn to a homesteading life, creating a daily schedule that works for you can be the secret to getting started.
This guide will give you an overview of helpful tasks, daily required chores, and shortcut tips that will help you make them work for your situation and time of life.
Why a Daily Schedule is Essential for Homesteaders
Routine is the secret to keeping things flowing when you have a homestead. It allows you to complete all your tasks while finding joy in what you are doing without getting tired or overwhelmed.
Yes, it’s true that living a simple lifestyle requires more work, but the work is small compared to working longer hours at a job to pay for modern conveniences.
Is it more work to sweep a floor with a broom and dustpan than having a Roomba do it? Yes, but is that price tag worth the $300 for that convenience? Well, only you can answer that question.
Creating a Homestead Daily Schedule
Ask yourself, “Why do I want a homestead?” Your answer will help you customize a daily routine that works not just on paper but with your lifestyle. Let’s break it down.
Step #1. Assess Personal Goals and Priorities
Start by identifying what you envision your homestead to be. Is it a sanctuary for self-sustainability, a place to grow organic produce, or do you want to raise livestock for dairy and meat?
Your goals become the guide for your daily tasks. Remember, just because you have it on your goal list does not mean you must add it to your new homestead. This is just a starting point. A way for you to visualize what it is you want and why.
Step #2. List out POssible Tasks and Chores
Certain chores need to be done every day without fail. Things like feeding the chickens, milking a dairy goat, or watering your garden. With each goal you listed in step #1, comes a list of daily things that need to be done no matter what your plans are for the day ahead.
Understanding this will help you choose the goals you are willing to do the work for.
Your main chores will be feeding and watering whatever you are raising. This includes both animals and plants. Living things need your care and attention at least daily but more often twice a day.
Keep this in mind as you choose the goals you want to start out with as you plan your homestead.
If you are not sure what room you need to start a homestead, read our guide on making a Homestead Layout for tips.
Step #3. Keep a work/life balance
It’s true there are chores that come with a homestead, but if you can block your day so you have time for things you love as well as work it will help.
Your garden, animals, and home demand different pieces of your day, and you also need to have time for self-care to ensure you can be consistent with your daily chores. Devote time to each area, including yourself, and you will thrive in this amazing lifestyle.
Sample Homestead Daily Schedule
Let’s take a look at a sample day on a homestead to help you see what is needed for a self-reliant lifestyle.
- 6:00 AM – Wake up, morning routine, coffee
- 6:30 AM – Feed and tend to animals
- 7:30 AM – Breakfast and family time
- 8:30 AM – Gardening and plant care
- 10:00 AM – Home care, general maintenance and small projects
- 12:00 PM – Healthy lunch and rest
- 1:00 PM – Focus on craft or homestead business
- 5:00 – Prepping for dinner
- 6:30 PM – Feed and close up animals for the night
- 7:00 PM – Wind down, planning for tomorrow
Your schedule will evolve to fit the shape of your life; remember, no two homesteads are the same, and even if the goals match up, the schedule will most likely not.
Homesteading Kits to Try!
Heaven’s Harvest Survival Seed Bank Kit (Over 25,000) Fruit & Vegetable Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds for Planting a 3+ Acre Home Garden. 100% Secure: Emergency Weather-Proof Bucket (1-Pack)Electric Mason Jar Vacuum Sealer Kit ,Handheld Food Vacuum Sealer and Accessory Hose Set for Food Storage with Regular & Wide Mouth Mason Jars ,Kitchen ToolsSuperbaking Bread Proofing Basket, Round 9 inch Sourdough Starter Kit, Proofing Basket for Bread baking, Bread Making Supplies Tools, Banneton Basket Gift SetHerb Grow Kit, 10 Herb Seeds DIY Garden Starter Kit, Complete Potted Plant Growing Set Including White Pots, Markers, Nutritional Soil, Watering, Clipper for Kitchen Herb
Tips for Maintaining a Homestead Daily Schedule
Here are some practical tips to help you maintain a daily schedule that keeps everything running smoothly:
#1. Start Early:
Learn to love the early morning so you can use those hours to tackle essential tasks before the day gets busy. This could include tending to animals, checking crops, or preparing breakfast for the family.
I like to water the gardens, collect eggs, and do the milking first thing in the morning. These are my most important tasks, and getting them completed early allows me to take my time during the rest of my day.
Read: How to Simplify Your Kitchen to help you be more efficient when cooking meals.
#2. Create a To-Do List
Lists are an important part of a homestead as they help to keep you on track. Take time to jot down tasks for the day, prioritizing the most important chores and projects. This will help you stay organized and ensure nothing important slips through the cracks.
Get tips on Planning Projects on the Homestead to help you map out a year of projects that fit within your budget.
#3. Allocate Time for Chores
Set aside specific time slots for chores such as milking, feeding animals, gardening, and maintenance. Having dedicated time for each task helps prevent feeling overwhelmed by the workload.
Most chores need to be done twice a day but there are things you can use to put a few of these tasks on autopilot.
Sprinkler Timer, XinFuture Water Timer, Programmable Garden Hose Timer with Rain Delay, Manual& Automatic Watering System, Waterproof Digital Irrigation Timer Watering Lawn Evenly&Efficiently,1 OutletFarmlite Automatic Chicken Coop Door Opener | Non-Battery Powered Automatic Chicken Door | Automatic Coop Door with Timer, Light Sensor and Remote ControlsAutomatic Animal Drinking Water Bowl with Float Valve, 304 Stainless Steel Kit Includes Bowl, Pipe, 2 Valves, Quick Connector Adapter and Countersunk Bolts. (Auto-Filling)
Read our guide on setting up a Self-Sufficient Chicken Coop to see just what options are out there.
#4. Meal Planning
Planning meals may not seem like a part of homesteading, but it plays an important role. The main reason many of us homestead is to improve our health and that means our meals will be more involved. When you have a plan of what you are making, you are more aware of the ingredients you will need.
Consider batch cooking, using your crockpot, instant pot, and air fryer as helpful ways to streamline the time you spend in the kitchen.
#5. Take Breaks
Don’t forget to schedule short breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. Breaks allow you to be kind to your body, as well as help to avoid burnout.
If you feel a backache coming on, stop and lie down until you feel well enough to start again. Self-care at any age is important to living a more active homesteading life.
#6. Flexibility is Key
Homesteading often brings with it the unexpected. Stay flexible and be prepared to adjust your schedule as needed. This will limit frustrations when you need to stop and fix a fence or tend to a hurt animal.
#7. Family Time
Make time for family activities every day. Whether it’s a shared meal, a nature walk, or working together on a project, fostering family connections is an important part of homesteading.
#8. Reflect and Plan
Take a few minutes at the end of each day to reflect on what went well and what could be improved. Use this time to plan for the next day, adjusting your schedule as necessary.
#9. Self-Care
Don’t overlook your own well-being. Schedule time for self-care activities, whether it’s doing stretches, reading a book, or enjoying a game or a hobby. All work and no play can turn homesteading into a chore instead of a joy.
#10. Embrace Seasonal Changes
Recognize that your daily schedule may shift with the changing seasons. Be prepared to adapt your routine to accommodate seasonal tasks and weather challenges.
Remember, maintaining a homestead is a labor of love, and finding a balance in your daily schedule is important to keeping up with your lifestyle.
Yes, it’s true that homesteading has a list of chores that need to be done every day. By having a daily homesteading schedule, you can use it as your guide, ensuring each area gets the attention it needs.
From caring for your plants, feeding and tending your animals, and taking time for yourself you can live a simple life that is productive and rewarding.
Love your schedule! As I get older I’ve been trying to simplify things too, and I am constantly tweaking my schedule… and my endless to-do lists! I think the point you made about seasonal changes is so true… it’s summer here in Australia and I’m busy with the garden, canning and such… once that is over it’ll be more time for sewing… Found you via the Homestead Blog Hop! xx
Welcome Joy!
So fun to meet someone from the other side of the world in a completely different season. I am in hibernation time and so anxious for spring and gardening!
Tracy Lynn