I’ve seen some interesting posts lately discussing the difficulty in sharing knowledge of traditional skills with those who don’t see the need to learn them and may not agree with the choice of the “homesteading” lifestyle. And I understand the challenge or even sometimes the frustration with this discussion. One that sometimes can get you into an argument.
But I believe sometimes we get caught up in all of this. It’s easy to get caught up in a sort of tunnel visioned point of view, especially one that you are passionate about.
Now, let’s be realistic here, there are some who are looking to argue for the sake of it. So for the sake of this conversation, we’re not discussing them.
Anyway, back to the conversation.
I think we can all agree that traditional skills are important. Even at the most basic level such as being able to cook a simple meal or having a basic understanding of where your food comes from. Having the ability to not have to rely solely on the convenience of fast food, or prepackaged meals.
But it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can enjoy bread baking without having to be raising your own chickens or having any interest in raising and/or growing your own food.
Or maybe you do enjoy having a small vegetable garden that you get to treat yourself to a small harvest throughout the year. You don’t necessarily have to expand that to a massive garden that will sustain you for an entire year. Or maybe it’s purely a flower garden!
Even hunting and fishing can fall into this discussion. Perhaps you enjoy harvesting meat in this manner, but don’t have an interest in moving out to the countryside and building a self-sustaining farm.
I guess the point I am trying to get to is sometimes we need to focus on the skills we’re trying to share with others instead of why we think the skills should be shared and taught. Why we do it versus why they might want to could be completely different. And if we’re being honest, while I believe in the importance of self-reliance, and believe that I am to build a farm that hopefully generations can enjoy, that is technically just a matter of opinion. Thank you, and we’ll see you on the next one!
