(FREE) The Sunny Side: Homesteading as a Mindset
by Liz Threlkeld / Contributing Writer
The following article appeared in the print issue of Ponca City Monthly magazine, which includes hyperlocal stories about Ponca City. Get full access to all online articles, videos, and content by becoming a paid subscriber. We offer free and paid subscription plans. Find rack locations to pick up your free print copy here, or subscribe here to get online access plus exclusive content.
Welcome to “The Sunny Side” where we’ll chat about all things homesteading! My name is Liz Threlkeld and I have been homesteading with my family in small forms or large fashions for most of my life. From growing gardens to DIY projects, to cooking and preserving, to raising and processing our own meat animals, we’ve learned a thing or two along the way. I’m excited to get to share some of this life with you. Ready? Let’s grow!
Homesteading as a Mindset
Hey, Friends!
Until a few years ago, I never considered myself a “homesteader,” even though I had been practicing aspects of homesteading most of my life. I encountered a perspective shift. I used to think that to be a homesteader, you had to live like Ma and Pa Ingalls, but in this modern world, homesteading can look so different. But what IS homesteading?
Let’s start with what homesteading is NOT (always):
It’s usually not wearing prairie dresses or overalls out in the fields or garden.
It’s NOT stress-free nor instantly sustainable.
It doesn’t (always) mean owning land.
It doesn’t mean you have to raise farm animals or a garden.
It’s not necessarily being a stereotypical “prepper.”
Modern homesteading is not tied to The Homestead Act of 1862, a law signed by President Abraham Lincoln that provided land to eligible citizens. That era has long passed.
So, what IS homesteading? Now, modern homesteading is a BROAD topic so we’ll hit the highlights that I believe are the defining qualities of a homesteader, no matter which route(s) they choose to homestead:
It’s about becoming a producer rather than a consumer.
It’s learning how to understand and work with nature and the land — no matter how little land you own — to coax it to provide for you.
It’s learning how to steward resources and plan for the unpredictables that life and Mother Nature throw your way.
It’s about preserving old ways of living that served humanity for millennia but that modern society is now exchanging for convenience and, by consequence, forgetting.
It’s about doing hard things and overcoming failure and challenges to grow your mind, resolve, determination and grit.
Do you know if you are a homesteader? If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, there might be a homesteader inside of you:
Are your roots and the traditions we’ve left behind as a society important to you? Do you save old recipes and excess food? Have you been called old-fashioned, a hippie or an “old soul” by others? Have you ever had the thought that you were born in the wrong century? Do you wish Great, Great Grandma or Grandpa was still around so you could pick her/his brain? Do you feel like you “don’t quite fit in” with modern society? Do you CRAVE the real, authentic and pure? Are you uninspired by the dullness of mass conformity? Do you have dirt under your nails more often than you have nail polish on your nails? Do you prefer to take charge of your health and use natural methods to support your body’s healing? Does homemade food light you up? Are you reading this article?
Whether you’re plunging your feet into the dirt or your hands into the dough, remember that YOU are the only person who can determine what or who you are. No stereotype, influencer or article — including this one — defines you as a homesteader.
Homesteading is rooted in history. It’s a spark of passion that begins in the heart and is forged through hard work and determination. As winter wraps us in its chill, there’s no better time to embrace the warmth of that flame. Let it grow, let it inspire and let it remind us that homesteading is where the past meets the present to grow a future. So, whether you’re tending to your roots, your sourdough starter or your dreams, remember — homesteading is what you make it, and it starts with you.
Happy Homesteading
Liz Threlkeld
Get your tickets now for The Okie Homesteading Expo in Pryor, OK! It will take place on March 21-22, 2025, bringing together homesteading enthusiasts and experts for two days of education and inspiration. World-renowned farmer, speaker and author, Joel Salatin, will headline the event, sharing his wisdom on sustainable farming and regenerative agriculture. Attendees can expect hands-on workshops, demonstrations, and a vibrant marketplace showcasing tools, crafts, and resources to enhance self-sufficiency and rural living. Great event for the beginner AND the experienced homesteader!
➡️ Opt in or out of different newsletters on your “My Account” page.
➡️ Learn more about Ponca City Monthly+
Ponca City Monthly is a locally owned publication that delivers hyperlocal news in print and online.
Like what we are doing? Feel free to forward this along and tell a friend.
Sponsorship information/customer service: email editor@poncacitymonthly.com