2019 Offers New Opportunities To Learn More Skills
The first month of 2019 is almost over and I'm already in the mode of making a list of new skills I want to learn; as well as crossing off ones I have conquered over the twelve months in 2018.
Since joining blockhain blogging platforms back in July 2017, I have exceeded my own limitations and set goals of learning new skills. When I first joined steemit back then, I was a hopeless non-green thumb person. I had barely kept cacti alive... but after joining, becoming a part of a homesteading and gardening community (or two), I have flourished with gardening, growing new herbs and flowers I had never heard of previously and have extended my knowledge of foraging, plant recognition and being able to become more self-sustainable on my own homestead.
I found that being on steemit and connecting with other gardeners, homesteaders and people with similar interests have really boosted me to try more every day.
I never knew I could accomplish half of what I posted on steemit over the last 18 months; let alone having more successes and learning from my failures.
Granted my homestead is only about 1/3 of an acre; but this allows for creativity on space allocation of gardening. To some this may seem as just a corner of a piece of property and one cannot truly grow, become self-reliant or produce enough to satisfy a homestead's needs, but on the contrary... it is perfect for the moment as there are only two of us in this household. Some day we hope to have 5-10 acres of land to call our own, but until then I will continue my growing here.
My Newly Developed Skills
Over the last 18 months or so since joining the platforms I have followed some great homesteaders and gardeners; and learning SO much from their posts, videos and comments. As I said when I first started this venture (into homesteading) seriously about three years ago, I had nothing to give. Or so I thought...
I had my knowledge. I had my underlying desire to learn. I was craving more. I researched. I read. I started experimenting. I broke through the never-gonna-do-it mentality and have done it. I have honed in on some older skills I had forgotten. I had jumped head first into new skills because I saw other people showing me and explaining to me how to do it.
So what have I learned so far?
- How to grow herbs & use them for culinary and medicinal purposes
- How to forage for edible plants and medicinal flowers
- How to preserve more by dehydrating, fermenting and smoking
- How to make homemade health and beauty products; including soap
- How to make my own spice and herb mixes from my garden
- How to make wine
- How to grow cannabis
- How to harvest all sorts of seeds
- How to make vinegar (ACV image below)
- How to make my dog's own (healthier) dog food and treats
- How to make tinctures, salves and lotions
- Making and using homemade cleaning products
- Starting an indoor winter garden two years in a row with success
- Making cheese and learning how to make kefir
- Started eating more healthy and even began the trek of a keto-friendly menu plan
But there are still some skills I'd love to learn and be able to conquer.
Things Like...
- Sewing
- Building small cold frames or raised garden beds (things out of old pallets)
- A rain water catch system
- How to process and field dress deer
- Go fishing (catch and clean the fish)
Here is my first ever attempt with making homemade apple cider vinegar
What I have learned so far (aside from all these new skills) was more about myself. I learned that I can push myself further, be more productive and that it's OK to make mistakes.
Portions of this post were previously posted to Whaleshares and updated.
