You Will Try, You Will Fail, And You Will Be Better For It

Do you remember when you were a kid and you were first learning to ride a bike…or better yet, learning to rollerblade? If you were anything like me, you were super nervous, super excited, and scared to death of falling on your face! Then, as if it were some strange self-fulfilling prophecy, your center of gravity shifted, the handle bar twisted as you over-corrected, your skates got too far in front of you, and the next thing you know you are on your butt…if you are lucky!

Damn that hurt, both your butt and your ego. But as you sat there making sure everything still worked and you didn’t break a bone, you realized that the fall didn’t kill you. In that split second, you make a decision; you get back up and decide to give it another go.

Jump forward in time and you probably wouldn’t give riding a bike a second thought…its just easy now. I would personally question my ability to roller blade, but that’s me.

Homesteading, in my opinion, is very similar…but much more complicated. Just as when you were a kid with a new bike, you are going to try and fail, many times! I’m here to tell you that its okay.

You will plant something, it wont germinate. You will plant something, it will germinate, you will go to transplant it, and it will die. You will direct sow, one seed will take but the one four inches away will not. You will plant, everything will germinate, it will grow beautiful, and then Thumper (of Bambi fame) will show up and devour your greens. Ouch.

At some point, you will garner the confidence to build something. This could be a raised bed, a rabbit hutch, a water catchment system, etc. Please understand this now, what you have pictured in your mind, it almost certainly is not what will materialize. As I used to say in the Army, “No plan survives first contact!” If you are an awesome builder, my hat is off to you! I would bet that 90 percent of most other people will be riding the struggle bus. Your mental image will begin to take shape before you and you will feel a combination of pride and frustration. Pride because you made this thing! Frustration because it didn’t come out like something you would buy from Tractor Supply Co.

This will sound terrible, but I need to say it. I wish these things on you. I know, “WTF!?” Allow me to explain.

You are in the arena! You tried. That’s more than many other people ever do. You formulated an idea, you may have made a rough sketch, you bought the materials, put it all together, and there it is! Your hands are cut, back is sore, and you need a shower!

Over the next few days, you marvel at your creation. You slowly become aware of its flaws, shortcomings, and weakness and then something pops into your mind, “I think I can do that better.”

Somehow, you forget the struggle and pain you experienced during your first attempt and you begin to strategize how you will approach your next project. This time, there is no fear. You know what mistakes you made the last time, you know what things to avoid, and you know what things to change to make sure the new version of your work will stand the test of time.

Any homesteader that claims they did everything perfectly the first time, I recommend you seriously question their honesty. In homesteading, almost like nothing else, the adage, “Man plans, God laughs,” applies. Don’t be discourage by this! You mustered the courage to try, you survived your failure, and you lived to homestead another day. Whether you realize it or not, you are now better because of the failures you experienced!

In the words of Fredrick Douglas, “Where there is no struggle, there is no progress.”

Homestead on, Homesteaders!