Life moves fast, doesn’t it? The days blur into weeks, and before you know it, another season has passed. But when you’re living close to the land, time takes on a different rhythm. The seasons guide not just the garden or the animals, but also our hearts, teaching us to slow down and enjoy what each moment has to offer.
Intentional living isn’t about doing less; it’s about doing what matters most. It’s about connecting—with nature, with our families, and with God—in a way that feels meaningful and sustainable, even when it’s still taking shape.
Learning from the Seasons
Even though we’re not fully living off the land yet, the rhythm of the seasons already shapes our days. Spring means helping plant in Mimi’s garden, watching Samson learn how seeds turn into food. Summer brings days of caring for the chickens, where he gathers eggs with so much pride. Fall invites us to reflect on what we’re building for the future, and winter gives us time to pause, dream, and plan.
Living this way reminds us that life is about the process. It’s about learning patience, embracing growth, and celebrating the small steps along the way.
Slowing Down in the Building Phase
Being in the “building” season, both literally with our house and figuratively with our homestead dreams, has taught me to appreciate the present. It’s easy to get caught up in the “someday” mindset—someday we’ll have a garden, someday we’ll have animals—but the truth is, there’s so much joy to be found right now.
Here’s how we’ve embraced slowing down and connecting in this stage of life:
Helping Where We Can: Whether it’s working in the garden or teaching helping care for the chickens, we’re learning the skills we’ll need later while making memories now.
Dreaming Together: Around the dinner table or while walking the property, we talk about what our homestead will look like. It’s exciting to plan, but it also keeps us grounded in why we’re doing this—to build a life of intention for our family.
Cherishing Small Moments: Evenings spent baking sourdough, watching the sunset in the field, or seeing Samson’s excitement about the new house reminds us that joy isn’t tied to “having it all.” It’s in the little things.
Trusting the Process: Building anything worthwhile takes time. We’re learning to celebrate each step, knowing that God’s timing is always perfect.
Finding Joy in Connection
Even without a fully established homestead, there’s something deeply fulfilling about connecting with the land and with each other. Watching Samson’s curiosity bloom reminds me that this season of preparation is just as meaningful as the season of harvesting will be.
By slowing down and being present, we’re teaching him—and reminding ourselves—that life isn’t just about reaching goals. It’s about the relationships we nurture along the way, with our family, our faith, and the earth itself.
A Lesson in Patience and Faith
If there’s one thing this building season has taught me, it’s patience. There are moments when I wish we were further along—when I picture the garden in full bloom, the animals grazing, or the house filled with laughter and warmth. But then I remember that this season is shaping us just as much as the land will someday.
It’s also a time of faith. Each step we take, from clearing land to designing the house, reminds us that God is building something beautiful in us, even when it’s not fully visible yet.
Choosing to Live Intentionally Today
Intentional living isn’t about waiting for the “perfect” life to begin. It’s about seeing the beauty and purpose in the phase you’re in. For us, that means celebrating small victories, helping with the land we’ve been blessed with, and dreaming of what’s to come.
So whether you’re building something new, tending what you already have, or simply navigating the busy seasons of life, I encourage you to pause. Take a moment to breathe, connect, and find joy in the process. Because sometimes, the journey is the most meaningful part.
What season of life are you in right now? Let’s embrace it together, one intentional step at a time.
