First Step

As I’ve said before, I can hardly wait to begin my new life. I created a 5-Year Plan in October 2011 and if all goes well, by the end of 2016, I will be living in my log house on a small acreage with a garden that provides most of my food.

I have not, however, gotten very far along with my plan and its original six steps. My plan has been updated and rewritten several times, and another step was added. Being two years away from actually retiring automatically puts most of the steps beyond reach. I cannot yet purchase the land or log house to be restored. And I’m not able to do the other steps yet either.

Here are the now seven steps:

1. Become debt free (except for the house) by February 2014 when I retire
2. Purchase land in the Summer 2014
3. Sell current house in the Spring 2015 and move into travel trailer on land
4. Plant a small Fall Garden in early Summer of 2015
5. Purchase log cabin by Fall 2015 and restore it within 6 months
6. Plant large gardens in the Spring 2016 for Summer/Fall harvest
7. Make decision about (and purchase?) Livestock in Spring 2016

For some, my steps may seem simplistic, even though each step is broken down into many sub-steps. And you may be right. Setting dates or deadlines for getting each job done may be naïve, but just getting them written down is so satisfying. It gives me direction, something to focus on, something to work toward. I have very little experience for what I want to do, but I love a project and this is a big one. With a big reward.

One small but important thing I have done is create a list of homesteading skills that I will tackle this year while I’m still working. These include purchasing a pressure canner and learning to can vegetables, fruits, and meats, begin to bake my own bread and make butter, cheese, and yogurt, and to put in a small garden in my back yard. I will also continue to read everything I can get my hands on about ‘homesteading’. And I can research the area(s) where I might purchase the land and the costs such as installing electrical service and water lines.

All journeys begin with just one step, and I’ve just taken my first one.