Thinking About Leaving the City? Try This 30-Day Homesteading Challenge First

So you’re daydreaming about leaving the city, ditching the traffic, and trading your overpriced coffee for a backyard full of chickens, fresh air, and the sweet sound of absolute silence (except for the occasional rooster losing his mind at 4 a.m.).

I get it. I’ve been there. The homesteading life calls to you. But before you list your apartment and buy a composting toilet, you might want to test-drive the lifestyle a bit first.

That’s exactly why I put together this 30-Day Homesteading Challenge—it’s a no-pressure, totally doable way to dip your boots into the lifestyle, whether you’re living in a city apartment or already have one foot on the dirt road.

What is the 30-Day Homesteading Challenge?

It’s a printable, two-page checklist packed with simple, beginner-friendly tasks that give you a taste of homesteading life. We’re talking:

• Making your own bread

• Cooking from scratch

• Planning a garden (even if it's just a windowsill herb jungle)

• Foraging for wild edibles (safely, of course)

• Learning to make your own vinegar, mend things, and use what you already have

• …and even starting a fire without matches (bonus points if you don’t set your eyebrows on fire)

You don’t need acres of land or a root cellar to do this challenge—just curiosity, a willingness to try, and maybe a notebook for your foraging adventures (oh hey, I wrote one of those too).

Why Bother?

Because homesteading isn’t just about the land—it’s about mindset. It’s about learning to be a little more self-sufficient, a little more hands-on, and a lot more intentional with how you live.

Whether your end goal is a full-blown off-grid setup or just a kitchen that doesn’t rely on Uber Eats, these 30 days will give you a solid idea of what the lifestyle feels like—without needing to sell your condo first.

Need Help Along the Way?

Trying something new can be a little overwhelming—especially when you're standing in your kitchen holding a cabbage and wondering how people “just know” how to ferment things. Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

If you get stuck, have questions, or just want to make sure your vinegar doesn’t turn into a science experiment gone wrong, I’m here for you. Just hit reply to the welcome email you get after signing up. Yup, that one. It goes straight to me—not a robot, not a mailing list gremlin, just me.

Ask away—I’m happy to help however I can.

Wait—Do I Teach You How to Do All This?

Short answer: Nope.

The 30-Day Homesteading Challenge is a jumping-off point, not a full-blown homesteading course. I’m not going to walk you through how to bake the bread, ferment the cabbage, or build the compost bin—you’ll have to do a bit of learning on your own (YouTube, books, trial and error—you’ve got this).

But you’re not out there completely alone.

If you hit a wall—or if you’re halfway through a task and wondering “What on earth did I get myself into?”—just reply to the welcome email you get when you sign up. I read every single one and I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction or help you troubleshoot.

You’re doing something awesome here—and I’ve got your back.

Grab Your Free Copy

I made the 30-Day Homesteading Challenge into a free, printable PDF—designed to look nice on the fridge, in a binder, or next to your sourdough starter.

You’ll also be added to my newsletter, where I share recipes, real-life homesteading adventures, and the occasional mishap involving livestock and lawnmowers.

If you’ve ever thought, “Could I actually live this life?”—this challenge will give you your answer.

Spoiler alert: You probably can. And I’ll be cheering you on, one jar of pickles at a time.