What is Home Editing?
Home editing is an ongoing process that involves simplifying and refining your living space to create a more intentional and purposeful environment. It’s not a one-time task, but rather an iterative process that requires regular maintenance to keep your home feeling calm, clutter-free, and beautiful. To start, you may need to tackle a major overhaul of your space.
However, as your needs and preferences evolve over time, you’ll need to continue editing and refining your setup to ensure it remains functional and aesthetically pleasing. With practice, editing becomes second nature, allowing you to effortlessly maintain your home’s beauty and functionality. In this article, I’ll share my expertise on how to start the editing process, followed by tips on how to sustain a clutter-free and beautiful homestead for years to come.
Homestead Edit #1: Shop Your Homestead
One of the most effective strategies for editing your home is to start by removing everything and placing it in a neutral space. Only then can you thoughtfully reintroduce items that bring you joy, serve a purpose, or hold sentimental value. This process, often referred to as ‘shopping your own home,’ allows you to curate your belongings in a way that sparks both beauty and functionality.
For those familiar with tidying guru Maria Kondo’s KonMari method, this process is closely tied to her signature ‘spark joy’ principle. According to Kondo, each item should be carefully considered, and only those that elicit a sense of delight or purpose are worthy of retention. By adopting this approach, you’ll not only uncover hidden treasures but also gain clarity on what’s truly important to you – making it easier to let go of items that no longer serve you.
Homesteading Baggage
Homesteaders often find themselves accumulating items for reasons distinct from the typical homeowner. Our storage spaces don’t typically overflow with trendy clothing or trinkets. Instead, our collections tend to fall into categories that reflect our self-sufficiency-oriented lifestyles.
These may include:Things we thought would simplify homesteading tasks but ultimately didn’t yield the expected resultsMaterials reserved for specific projects, which might be revisited in the futureItems we’ve stockpiled due to a perceived need or potential usefulnessWhile it’s understandable to want to hold onto these items for potential future use, doing so can actually undermine our homesteading goals.
By letting go of unnecessary possessions and embracing a more intentional approach to consumption, we can focus on what truly matters: building self-sufficiency and creating a fulfilling lifestyle.
Homesteading is Freedom from Hoarding!
As homesteaders, we’re constantly looking for ways to provide what we need through self-sufficiency. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, we can turn scraps of materials into solutions that meet our daily needs. In fact, after a few years of honing our homesteading skills, you might just find yourself channeling your inner MacGyver, using items like baling twine, feed sacks, and mason jars to fix common problems.
But here’s the thing: you don’t need to stockpile supplies when you’ve developed a range of useful skills, like cultivating a greenhouse garden that provides fresh produce year-round. As your homesteading expertise grows, the less necessary those stored items become, freeing up space for more important things – and a greater sense of self-reliance.
Prepping vs. Homesteading
Let’s clarify the difference between homesteading and prepping. While both practices involve storing supplies, they have distinct mindsets and approaches. Preppers focus on preparing for unknown events or disasters, often stockpiling supplies in anticipation of potential crises. On the other hand, homesteaders prioritize self-sufficiency through food production, preservation, and storage.
A key distinction lies in the duration of stored supplies: homesteaders typically aim to store a 12-18 month supply of food within their near-access storage spaces, such as root cellars or pantries. This allows for quick access during short-term weather events or winter months when food production might be limited. In contrast, preppers often store longer-term supplies, which require separate storage facilities and specialized management to ensure rotation and maintenance.
For homesteaders who also prep, the challenge lies in separating these two approaches and allocating space accordingly. By designating a specific area for long-term storage, you can keep your prepper supplies organized and out of the way from your active living areas.
Homestead Edit #2: Let Go Gracefully
When the task of decluttering is finally underway, the next step is akin to editing a manuscript – streamlining and refining what’s left. The objective is to eliminate items that serve no purpose, just as you would weed out unnecessary words from your writing. This part can be emotionally taxing, as we often develop sentimental attachments to possessions.
However, by approaching the task with a sense of liberation rather than dread, it’s possible to transform the experience into one of healing and renewal – much like the cathartic release that comes from letting go of emotional baggage.
Community Donations
When I had a new honey extractor lying around, unused, I initially thought of selling it. However, the fact that it was a birthday gift made me hesitant. Instead of parting with something so thoughtful, I decided to donate it to my local extension office’s beekeeper program. This way, all the beekeepers in the county can benefit from using it without having to shell out $300 for their own extractor.
It gives me a sense of satisfaction knowing that this gift is making a positive impact on my community. Similarly, by identifying clubs or organizations that could use your larger items, you can build connections and strengthen your community. Consider donating to hackerspaces, tool shares, or other groups that might appreciate the tools and equipment you no longer need.
Freecycling
Beyond the traditional methods of giving away unwanted items, there’s an entire network of freecycling enthusiasts waiting to be tapped into. In some cities, dedicated spaces have emerged where individuals can drop off or collect free goods. Online, numerous groups and platforms exist for posting giveaways and connecting with like-minded individuals. Social media, Craigslist, and local newspapers also offer opportunities to advertise your items for free.
Taking it a step further, you could even organize a freecycling yard sale, where people can come and take whatever they need, reducing waste and fostering a sense of community.
Ready to Sell Order
When donating items that don’t have a specific recipient, consider dropping them off at your local thrift store in an organized state. This increases the likelihood that the items will be displayed attractively and matched with a suitable buyer. To further facilitate this process, prepare electronics by wrapping up cords and adding a note indicating their good working condition. Similarly, group similar items like dishes together and tidy them before donation.
Bag new condition clothing separately from those in need of repairs, clearly labeling each bag’s contents. While the thrift store will have its own sorting process, presenting donations in this way enhances the chances that they’ll reach someone who genuinely wants or needs them.
Sell Your Stuff
Beyond the traditional methods of selling unwanted items, there’s an opportunity to directly connect with consumers who are eager to snag a bargain. Yard sales, consignment shops, and online marketplaces provide a platform for this type of transaction. However, it’s essential to understand that people buying second-hand goods are often on the lookout for deals.
Be prepared to negotiate prices and potentially sell your items for lower than you initially paid, as this is what drives the demand in these types of transactions.
Barter Better
While traditional transactions often involve exchanging goods or services for cash, bartering can be a viable alternative. This approach requires finding common ground between what you have to offer and what someone else needs, which can be more challenging. Nevertheless, if you’re willing to consider a wide range of items rather than just focusing on a single trade, your prospects for success increase.
Junk the Junk
When decluttering, you’ll inevitably come across items that are no longer needed or wanted. To minimize waste and ensure a more environmentally friendly approach, it’s essential to recycle what you can and properly dispose of everything else.
Electronics, in particular, can often be recycled at the same store where you purchased them. Additionally, many communities host electronics recycling events throughout the year.
However, certain toxic items require specialized disposal methods.
Before getting rid of these hazardous materials, such as paint, cleaning products, or substances with ‘cide’ in their name (e. g., pesticides), be sure to consult with your local authorities to determine the best and safest way to dispose of them.
Reflect
Before parting ways with the item, take a moment to reflect on its presence in your life. Consider why you acquired it initially, whether it truly brought value or served a purpose. Think about what drew you to it and whether those motivations still resonate today. This introspection will not only help you release the item but also equip you with valuable insights for making more mindful purchasing decisions moving forward.
Homestead Edit # 3: Curate Systematically and Seasonally
The culmination of a successful editing makeover is curating the items you’ve decided to keep into logical, aesthetically pleasing, and functional categories. This process, often referred to as curation, requires grouping similar items together in a way that makes sense for your specific lifestyle. For instance, organizing a large closet might involve separating work shirts from casual attire or arranging shoes by color.
However, when it comes to curating on the homestead, our lives are inherently tied to the natural world’s rhythms and fluctuations. As such, our curation strategies must adapt to accommodate these seasonal ebbs and flows.
Curate Your Pantry
As the seasons change, it’s crucial to consider not only the initial organization of your pantry but also its evolution throughout the year. Imagine you’re a master curator, carefully planning storage for your canned goods, whether they’re full or empty. You might categorize your preserves and honey in one area, while grouping savory vegetables like tomatoes, green beans, and beets together. But what about when those jars become empty?
Do you have a dedicated space for storing them, or do you constantly rearrange shelves to accommodate both full and empty containers? Similarly, when it comes to storing garlic, the type of bulb can greatly impact its shelf life and handling requirements. Hardneck varieties, for instance, must be consumed first and stored with greater care than softnecks.
By curating your stored garlic, you can ensure that your hardnecks are accessed before they spoil, while keeping your softnecks fresh for a longer period. The key to maintaining a well-curated homestead is understanding the cyclical nature of your pantry’s contents. This means considering not just where items will be initially placed but also how they’ll evolve over time.
By planning for seasonal rotations and use cases unique to your homestead, you can enjoy a more organized and efficient storage space that remains visually appealing throughout the year.
Planting Season
When it comes to maintaining a harmonious homestead during the planting season, you’ll encounter an influx of tasks involving potting soil, seeds, starter pots, and more. This time of year is marked by a continuous rotation of pots in various stages: newly planted, germinated, leafed, hardened off, and ready for transplanting – followed by empty pots to clean and store. Seed usage, saving, and sorting also follow a cyclical pattern.
Of course, managing fresh produce for consumption and long-term storage is an ongoing process that can be overwhelming. However, just as curating your pantry requires some planning, there are strategies to make managing your harvests more manageable. One approach is to prioritize good timing in harvesting late-maturing crops like sweet potatoes, corn, and beans over a series of weeks rather than all at once.
This reduces the chaos and stress associated with processing large quantities of produce simultaneously. For instance, I’ve transitioned from harvesting onions while garlic was still curing – which required dedicating space to 500 plants at once – to a staggered approach where I harvest and cure my softneck garlic first, followed by hardnecks, and finally, onions. This ensures that I never have more than 200 bulbs curing simultaneously.
Staggering harvests also allows me to replant only one-third of the beds at a time, which is not only space-efficient but also reduces the amount of seed packets in use and planting pots occupied at once. Another consideration is managing livestock cycles. There are times when you need more hay and straw, followed by kidding or hatching seasons that require specific equipment and storage areas.
By adopting a holistic approach to your livestock routines, you may be able to repurpose spaces and utilize the same area for multiple purposes. For example, a fall and winter hay and straw storage area might double as a hatchery and brooder in spring and summer. Ultimately, curating storage and room for active duty and passive storage can make all the difference in keeping your homestead tidy year-round.
Homestead Edit #4: Opt for Attractive Equipment
While it’s unrealistic to replace every tool with a timeless treasure, as your hardware store pruners and hoes wear out, upgrade to more aesthetically pleasing alternatives. This approach not only makes storage easier but also allows you to proudly display your durable tools in your home, on the porch, or within your greenhouse or potting shed.
The same principle applies to food processing equipment – instead of storing unsightly plastic buckets and crates when not in use, opt for beautiful pottery crocks and natural baskets that can double as country decor. Additionally, stainless steel or vibrantly painted culinary tools are more pleasing to have out on the counter or appliance shelf than plain white plastic.
By prioritizing quality and beauty in your purchases, you’ll be creating a harmonious blend of function and style within your living space.
Edit # 5: Rearrange Decisively
Smart retailers know that if shelves remain unchanged for too long, customers lose interest. A simple rearrangement can reinvigorate the shopping experience. Similarly, in our homes, stagnation sets in when we fail to refresh our spaces regularly. This lack of change means we stop appreciating the objects around us and no longer find inspiration in them. As homesteaders, we naturally have opportunities for seasonal rearrangements as part of our daily routines.
To maximize these moments, make a conscious effort to curate your belongings with an eye towards both beauty and functionality each time you reorganize.
Edit # 6: Edit Regularly
As you near the end of your digital decluttering journey, remember that one key to maintaining your newly organized space is to let go of items that no longer serve you. This mindset shift can be especially liberating when it comes to physical tools and equipment. Consider letting go of any devices or gear that feel uncomfortable to use or have been replaced by newer, more efficient alternatives.
By releasing these items into the world, you’ll not only free up physical space but also give them a chance to find a new purpose with someone else. This approach can be applied to all aspects of your digital life, from old software to outdated books – the key is to recognize when something has outlived its usefulness and make room for what’s to come.
Editing Can Improve Other Things Too!
Optimizing various aspects of your homesteading lifestyle can yield significant benefits. It’s not just storage areas that require attention – editing also applies to animal care routines, gardening duties, culinary processes, crafting, and even breed choices. By streamlining or refining these processes, you can optimize overall efficiency, reduce stress, and improve the quality of life on your homestead.
