Let’s talk about something that I think every single one of us feels on the homestead, that constant tension between all the work that needs doing and the people we’re doing it for.
In my recent conversation with RuthAnn Zimmerman, author of The Heart of the Homestead, we dug right into that struggle. And honestly, it’s one of those conversations that just sticks with you long after it’s over.
RuthAnn grew up Old Order Mennonite, raises seven kids on a 20-acre homestead in Iowa, and lives out something many of us long for but struggle to articulate.
Homesteading isn’t about getting more done. It’s about keeping the right things first.
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Watch The Interview Here
People First, Always
One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation was RuthAnn’s simple but powerful priority list:
- Emotional needs of the family
- Nutritional needs
- Housekeeping
That order matters.
She shared how, in seasons when her kids were little, emotional needs took most of her energy. Now that many of her children are older, those emotional needs are often met shoulder-to-shoulder while milking cows, folding laundry, or feeding animals. Same heart, different season.
And here’s the thing, she reminded me that some seasons last weeks, some last years, and some last decades. When we stop fighting the season we’re in and start honoring it, peace shows up in ways we didn’t expect.
Hospitality in the Middle of the Mess
We also talked about hospitality, especially when people stop by and the to-do list is already a mile long. RuthAnn shared how laying tasks aside for people often feels like it creates more time, not less. It’s that upside-down math that shows up when we put relationships first.
Sometimes that looks like inviting people to work alongside you. Sometimes it looks like stopping everything and ordering pizza. Either way, it’s not about perfection. It’s about presence.
Why the Early Mornings Matter
Another moment that made me smile was realizing we both rely on the same “secret weapon”, those quiet early morning hours.
For RuthAnn, that 4 to 6 AM window has been where entire books were written and meals were planned, all so she could be more available to her family during the day.
That’s not a rule or a requirement. It’s just one example of finding a rhythm that supports people instead of competing with them.
The Heart of Homesteading
This conversation was such a good reminder that homesteading isn’t about checking every box or doing all the things “right.” It’s about connection. It’s about slowing down enough to notice the people right in front of us, even when the house isn’t clean and the chores aren’t finished.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything but still missing the heart of it, I really hope this conversation encourages you.
Where to Find RuthAnn
If you found this conversation helpful and would like to follow RuthAnn, be sure to check out her book, The Heart of the Homestead, and her family's YouTube channel, Homesteading With The Zimmermans.
