When I started Scherer Homestead, it wasn’t just about raising animals or growing food. It was about healing, finding purpose, and creating a life that aligned with our family’s values of wellness, family, and natural practices. After leaving the military, I wanted to break away from the conventional farming system and reconnect with the food that nourishes our family.
But life has a way of challenging even the most well-laid plans. My complex medical history has always been a part of our story, but this past fall blindsided us. Health challenges that we couldn’t have foreseen forced us to slow down, take stock, and see where the cracks in our foundation were forming. And while it was hard to face those chinks in our armor, it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing—it gave us the clarity to realign and refocus.
The Strength in Stepping Back
In homesteading—and in life—it’s easy to feel like stepping back means you’ve failed. But I’ve learned that stepping back isn’t quitting; it’s strategy. It’s making the conscious decision to honor what’s most important, to protect your health, your family, and your values.
The truth is, the homesteading life isn’t a race. It’s a way of life, one that requires us to move with the seasons and adapt to life’s demands. When you’re trying to juggle too much—growing food, raising animals, homeschooling, and nurturing your family—you’re bound to feel overwhelmed.
And that’s okay.
Homesteading teaches us that nothing happens overnight. Chickens don’t lay eggs the day they hatch. Seeds don’t turn into vegetables in a week. Everything takes time, patience, and nurturing. Sometimes, that nurturing has to be directed inward.
Breaking Away, One Step at a Time
When we started this journey, I didn’t fully grasp how different living off the land would be from our culture’s commercialism-driven mentality. In this lifestyle, we don’t just “do it all.” We grow, harvest, preserve, and care for every piece of it ourselves. That’s beautiful—but it’s also demanding.
If you’re trying to jump all in, do everything perfectly, and keep pace with what you think others are doing, burnout is inevitable. Breaking away from the mainstream way of life is not something you can do all at once. It takes baby steps. It takes patience. And sometimes, it takes stepping back.
What’s Most Important
For me, stepping back means remembering my “why.” Why did we start Scherer Homestead? To heal. To nurture. To create a life rooted in wellness and family. That’s the compass that guides me, even when life feels heavy.
This season, healing must take priority. If our family is going to thrive, I have to honor what my body is telling me. That doesn’t mean giving up on education, community, or the dreams we’ve built—it means being honest about what I can give.
A Message for My Fellow Homesteaders
To my fellow homesteaders, let me remind you: it’s okay to get in over your head. It’s okay to feel like you’re drowning in projects and responsibilities. And it’s also okay to step back, take a breath, and recalibrate.
You’re not failing. You’re growing.
Homesteading is a journey, not a destination. It’s about living with intention, moving with the seasons, and building a life that feels authentic and fulfilling. If stepping back means you can keep going in a way that’s sustainable, then that’s not weakness—it’s wisdom.
So, take those baby steps. Honor the pace that feels right for you and your family. Remember, this isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection—to your land, your food, your family, and yourself.
This season, I’m stepping back. Not because I’m giving up, but because I’m choosing to move forward with intention. Healing remains our foundation, and from there, we’ll continue to grow.