Let’s be honest– homesteading doesn’t come with sick days. Being sick is just one of those parts of life that you wish you could do without. Animals needing you, a toddler to take care of, and the house becoming a mess– these things still need managed.
This past week, our whole household got hit hard. I came down with some kind of bug that left me dragging, barely able to keep my eyes open, and running on fumes. Our toddler? Also sick– but not too sick to stop climbing things, getting into everything, and generally being a full-blown menace (how do they do that, for real?!). And to top it all off, my poor husband caught our bug plus got slammed with food poisoning. Hello ER visit sponsored by Taco Bell. Truly, a dream week on the homestead. We love it here.
But as many of you know, animals still need feeding and compost piles don’t magically turn without a little help. No matter how rough things get, the daily rhythm of the homestead keeps ticking—and somehow, you have to find a way to keep up with it.
What Got Done
Even in survival mode, the essentials were handled. The ducks and geese got their feed and fresh water. Nutmeg, our Rex rabbit, got his snacks and pets. I managed to even get some clean bedding in for the ducks and geese—mostly just to squint at things from a distance and promise I’d be back soon and that they’d be clean again. Nothing extra happened, but nothing fell apart either.
It wasn’t graceful. It wasn’t efficient. But it was enough.
Giving Yourself Grace
This week reminded me that grace is essential in homesteading. Not every day will be productive. Sometimes the work looks like just showing up—feeding animals, snuggling a feverish toddler, and passing your spouse electrolyte drinks between their naps.
Your weeds will wait. Your animals will forgive you. And the homestead won’t fall apart just because you had to press pause.
Tips for Managing the Homestead When You’re Sick:
- Simplify everything: Do only what has to be done. If it’s not breathing or wilting, it can wait.
- Ask for help: Whether it’s your partner, a friend, or even a kind neighbor—take the help. We were too sick to pretend otherwise.
- Prep ahead (when you’re well): This week made me extra grateful for pre-filled feed bins, clean water jugs, and freezer meals. Small prep when you’re healthy can save you during times like these.
- Lower the bar: There’s no gold star for overextending yourself. Take shortcuts. Let things slide. Rest where you can.
We’re slowly starting to feel human again. The chores are still there and the to-do list longer now—but so is my gratitude. For a homestead that keeps humming, a family that (mostly) survives the chaos, and the little moments that make it all worth it—even when you’re running on soup and sleep deprivation.
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