Ask HN: Did I make a mistake jumping on the homestead bandwagon?

Thank you! So kind of you to take the time to say so!

Yes, it sucks. But the work is wholesome and you can listen to any podcast or audiobook you want when you're mending fences or mucking out stalls. Modernity has its perks, even on the homestead.

> I can't help feel frustrated

In 15 years when Ghawar is solidly declining, and the US shale miracle has long since peaked, and EV market penetration is still less than 10% - when the world finally wakes up to how bad our energy situation is, you'll be happy to be providing for yourself.

> when I watch my friends in the city enjoy all of the comforts it offers

Watch their instagram feeds in 10-15 years. Relish in their food riots and daily rolling brownouts while you post your pastured pork belly and egg breakfasts and 80kWh of off-grid energy collection and storage.

It's a hard life, but it will be worth it in the end.

there are two ways to make money in farming, write a book or scale to thousands of acres.

perhaps if agriculture and food generation was priced more in line with its value to humanity, rather than along the lines of cheapest product wins, there would be more feasible careers in homesteading, simpler lives and farming.

but in a world where NFT based companies are claiming to be worth billions what hope is there of that? :)

I grew up on a "hobby homestead", moved there when (as babe-in-arms) my folks faced a massive snowstorm that threatened to cut off natural gas supply, clarifying how utterly dependent they were on the grid/system. Big garden, orchard, wood heat, backup supplies, etc. It was all well-balanced with modern living.

When the "Y2K Bug" was looming, I explained the worst-case possible scenario to Dad (an electrical engineer) regarding worldwide computer system collapse. He listened attentively, understood, and responded "then I'll throw another log on the fire and go back to my book." That's how prepared they were.

The key is embracing homesteading, to whatever degree you choose to take it, as a lifestyle. It's not a hobby. It's not a job. It's what you do, blended with and influencing everything else, 24/7.

I now live in the suburbs, with a bit of forest. Having grown up homesteading, it still influences my thinking, and I'd rather return thereto. Though enjoying modern conveniences & luxuries, everything has an undercurrent of considering "one step simpler". I lament my kids not having the same upbringing, and do try to expose them at least a bit to living off the land.

Analogy: coffee. I have about 20 coffee makers, and several coffee shops nearby. Yes it's nice to pick up a cup (black, dark) for ~$2.50 ready to go. Yes it's nice having pod machines, ~$0.50 for "insert pod, press Go". Yes, I've tried every convenience for coffee. What I normally do, with no angst/struggle regarding the work and convenience of alternatives, is roast the beans myself in small batches, hand-grind, and do a hybrid press/pour-over - nearly every time, for years, despite the time and effort, it's just what I do.

Do realize that your friends are beholden to a system which can collapse, fast and completely. It probably won't ... but the probability isn't zero, isn't trivial, and historically we're rather due for another one. You don't want to spend your life preparing for a worst that doesn't happen, but you certainly can live such that societal problems don't tear you down. You can be ready and financially/socially robust; you just have to decide where your sweet spot in life is, regardless of what 'more' others have (and pay for by 'less' elsewhere).

The hard way isn't for everyone. You either internalize it as simply what you do, regardless of what others enjoy, or you move on to what it is you do, realistically, want to do. You do you, and be realistic about circumstances.