A Weekend on the Homestead: Reality Check or Dream Life?

I Spent a Weekend on My Cousin's Homestead — Here's What It Really Looks Like

Spoiler: it’s not just chickens and vibey porch swings

You know those dreamy homesteading TikToks with linen aprons, soft garden music, and golden retrievers chasing butterflies? I thought that was the vibe too... until I spent 48 hours on my cousin Leah’s homestead.

Leah and her husband Jake live on a quiet patch of land with their four kids, a barn full of animals, and a lifestyle that’s equal parts chaotic and intentional. They invited me to stay for the weekend and see what “slow living” actually looks like. I showed up with boots, way too many snacks, and a romanticized idea of what I was getting into.

Here’s what I found out.

5:15 AM — Early Doesn't Even Cover It

Jake’s alarm went off before the birds even thought about singing. I barely opened my eyes before he was up and slipping on his sneakers. The man went for a run. A real run. Like in the dark, with fog still hovering over the fields.

Meanwhile, I was questioning all my decisions. He said it’s the only time he gets to himself and honestly, I kind of get it. That quiet was different.

When he got back, he made a post-run drink that looked like chocolate milk but had raw eggs in it. I stared. He shrugged. “Keeps me going.” I politely passed.

6:45 AM — Farm Chores Are Not a Drill

Next came the morning chores. Jake asked if I wanted to come along and of course I said yes. Regret hit fast.

First up were the broiler chickens. We had to move them to a new patch of grass. They scattered like wind-up toys. Then he opened the coop for the laying hens who practically flew out the door.

Finally, it was time to milk the cow. Her name’s Maddie, and she was already waiting like, “You’re late.” Jake got to work while I tried to stay out of her way.

He moved fast and poured the milk into a big stainless bucket with reusable ice cubes inside. No fluff, just practical. Maddie gave about a gallon and a half, which apparently is low for her. But even so, that was a lot of milk.

8:00 AM — Inside, It's a Different Kind of Hustle

While Jake was outside, Leah was making breakfast and packing his lunch. One scrambled egg, a granola bar, and a thermos of raw milk. Simple, homemade, and kind of sweet in a very married kind of way.

She doesn’t do the animal stuff. She said it straight: “I love having animals. I just don’t love taking care of them.” Her domain is the house, the garden, the kids, the food. And honestly? That’s enough.

She made herself a London Fog with raw honey, cream, and collagen while the kids ran wild under the kitchen table building a pillow fort. Oatmeal for them, chaos for me.

9:00 AM — Wait... Burger for Breakfast?

I blinked twice when Leah made herself a full-on burger with zucchini for breakfast. “High protein keeps me from crashing,” she said. And she was right. She had energy for days.

The kids ate their oatmeal with honey and raw milk and sat in their fort like it was their full-time job. They didn’t ask for screens. They didn’t complain. It was chill.

10:00 AM — Garden Girl Hours

After breakfast, we headed to the garden. I thought we’d be out there all day, but Leah said it’s not like that. She’s figured out how to garden smart, not hard.

We picked green beans and some wild cherry tomatoes that were basically falling off the vine. The Marconi peppers were finally showing up.

She sipped on apple juice mixed with coconut water and a shot of some herbal vinegar blend. It actually tasted good. She said it helps with digestion. I was just impressed she had time to even think about her digestion.

1:00 PM — Reset Time Is Sacred

Lunch was leftovers and water. At 1 PM sharp, everything paused.

Leah called it “quiet time” and I fully respected it. Everyone picked a book or took a nap. I curled up on the couch and passed out hard. The silence hit like a weighted blanket.

She said it keeps everyone sane and resets the mood before dinner. Honestly, this was one of my favorite parts of the whole day.

2:30 PM — Minimalism Makes It Manageable

While the kids rested, Leah got to work inside. She cleaned the kitchen, folded laundry, and organized the pantry like it was no big deal.

She said the secret isn’t being super organized. It’s owning less. She purged a third of their stuff after her fourth baby. Everyone has basic clothes that all match. No more sending kids back upstairs because their outfit doesn’t go together.

In the kitchen? No random gadgets. No fancy tools. Just what works. She cleans everything with baking soda, vinegar, and dish soap. No Clorox wipes in sight.

4:00 PM — Routines, Not Rules

The kids came back to life around 4. Chores happened. Dinner started.

Jake got home, checked on the cows, and moved them to a new paddock. He just closed one gate and opened another. I thought it’d be this whole ordeal. It took five minutes.

Leah prepped meatloaf with roasted potatoes and a salad made from the tomatoes we’d picked earlier. Since she meal preps every Monday, it all came together fast.

6:00 PM — Walks and Raspberries

Dinner was simple, quiet, and honestly really good.

After we ate, Leah and I walked down to the raspberry patch. It was massive. Some of the canes were taller than me. She picked like a pro. I kept stopping to eat them straight off the vine.

There was no pressure to make conversation. Just nature sounds and that golden light you only get at sunset.

9:30 PM — No Netflix, Just Sleep

By the time the kids were in bed and everything was cleaned up, we were all toast. I crashed without even thinking about my phone.

No shows. No doomscrolling. Just actual rest.

What I Learned: Real Life Isn't Aesthetic

Homesteading isn’t cottagecore cosplay. It’s not always cute. It’s not for people who want an easy life.

But it’s intentional. It’s peaceful. It’s honest.

It’s seeing the impact of your work, every day. It’s eating something you picked yourself. It’s kids who actually know where food comes from.

There’s no perfect version of this. Leah and Jake didn’t have all the answers. They just had a rhythm. And that was enough.

Stay grounded in the rhythm of real life with Woke Waves Magazine — where Gen Z finds meaning in the mess, magic in the ordinary, and peace in the unexpected.

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