Last year, I mentioned Maslov's Hierarchy of Needs. I thought to kick off the year covering this as it pertains to homesteading and life in general. The bottom level is Psychological Needs. Last year was rough for a lot of folks and this year may be rougher for a time. Notice how each level gets smaller as it climbs up? The greater the size, the more larger the need. No matter what level folks were on or thought they were on before last year they were knocked back a rung or two. Many falling back to this first tier.
So what is meant by your psychological needs? These are basic needs that man needs to survive like food, water, air, shelter, sleep, and to lesser degrees (in my humble opinion) clothing and reproduction.
Having a homestead, we will never go hungry. We grow our own poultry and rabbits. We also have the luxury of having neighbors within ten miles to obtain lamb, mutton, goats, pork, and beef without having to grow it ourselves. There are plenty of lakes and streams to obtain fish and crawfish, and deer abound in these hills. Vegetables and fruits are just a stone's throw from our front door or bartered for from surrounding farms. It might not be everything we want but we do fairly well. As for shelter, most homesteaders have a home or shelter. Being from a survivalist background, I know how to build a shelter from resources around me if needed. It might not be a mansion, but it will keep the rain and snow off. Yes, sleep is important. But having food and shelter takes some of the worry that causes some sleepless nights. You can't put in a full day's work if you start the day exhausted. Now, the air up here is fresh and clean with very little pollution causing industries within 30+ miles. We've got our own deep well and a spring fed creek on our property so water is not a concern.
As far as clothing and reproduction goes, clothing we can make our own. We grow flax for linen and have an abundance of wool to make into clothing. Yes, we know how to spin, weave, and do needlework. As for reproduction, we as Mel puts it, "We've already done our part for God and country, and we're done with all of that. Thank God!" So as homesteaders, even on a small homestead, our psychological needs are met. Lord knows we have enough to keep us busy.
That's another thing that homesteaders do not have to worry about. During the lockdowns with the virus, folks were going stir-crazy and suffered from isolation. There's always something to do on the homestead. Most times it's too much to be done. We have to-do lists upon to-do lists. It's only January and the outside temperatures hover just above freezing here, but we are frantically buying seeds and planning our spring garden. Somethings need to be started next month. Already, we are sorting through potatoes to chit for planting in March. We have the advantage of being able to talk to each other and the
animals so socialize isn't a problem. Just because we don't speak rabbit, quail, chicken, or dog and cat doesn't stop me from talking to them. Mel on the other hand is an animal whisperer. She speaks all languages with full comprehension. People, she not so great at, but animals...fuhgeddabouit, she's Dr. Dolittle. So there's plenty for us to do without taking on any new projects...like that will ever happen.
So there are advantages to homesteading. Even suburbanites are jumping on the bandwagon now. They are planting their lush, green lawns to grow vegetables, and raising quails, hens, and rabbits. So much so that seed and gardening equipment were sold out through many distributors last year. I ordered seed the first week in January this year and still I was having to order from several sources because seed was selling out so fast for 2021! I'll be saving more of my own heritage seeds this year so next year won't be a problem. I was saving some but not near enough for the garden I'm planting this year. I'm even buying seeds for things I want to grow in the future.
Y'all have a blessed day!
Cockeyed Jo
Well said!
ReplyDeleteThank you Leigh.
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