If you’ve ever felt that deep, soul-level pull to slow down, to breathe, to rest, and to live in step with the natural rhythms of the seasons, you’re not alone. That longing is what led me to homesteading in the first place.
But lately, I’ve had to admit something: I haven’t been walking my own talk when it comes to rest. My body finally said, “Enough,” and it’s time I listen.
Today I want to share why I’m pressing pause on the Pioneering Today Podcast for a season, how I’m learning to view rest as stewardship, and how you can help guide what comes next.
When Your Body Says “Enough”
Many of you remember when I had a benign tumor removed from the left side of my neck. Thankfully, that surgery went beautifully, and I regained full use of my arm and hand. But about a year ago, the right side of my body started to speak up.
At first, I thought it was just tendonitis from too much wood hauling or cast iron lifting. I turned to all my go-to remedies: red light therapy, herbal salves, CBD balm, cayenne-infused oils and braces. Each helped a little, but the pain just kept increasing.
Then one night, after a chicken butchering workshop here on the homestead, my arm swelled so badly I thought I was going to have to cut my ring off. I had to call the doctor.
That’s when it hit me, I’d ignored the warning signs. I had been pushing through when I should have been resting through.
Rest Isn’t Quitting, It’s Stewardship
Rest isn’t laziness. It’s obedience.
The Bible tells us that seasons of work and rest are not suggestions; they’re patterns built into creation itself. Yet, in our modern world, we often feel guilty for slowing down.
But the truth is, rest is one of the most productive things we can do. It’s what keeps us going for the long haul (whether we’re tending a garden, raising livestock, or nurturing our families).
If we don’t take time to rest, the homesteading lifestyle we love can become another form of burnout.
“We can’t homestead well if we’re not caring for the homesteader.”
For me, this pause isn’t about quitting, it’s about resetting. It’s about honoring the natural rhythms that drew me to this lifestyle in the first place.
If you’re in a similar place, take it as permission to pause. Step back, breathe, and remember that slowing down can be the most faithful thing you do.
What’s Next for the Pioneering Today Podcast
Don’t worry, the Pioneering Today Podcast isn’t going anywhere!
For the remainder of 2025, I’ll be sharing a throwback series featuring some of the most valuable and timeless episodes from the past decade. These episodes are full of practical, encouraging advice that hasn’t lost its relevance.
Each one will include a fresh introduction from me with updates, context, and new insights from the homestead. You’ll still hear what’s happening here in real time, but this change allows me to honor a slower, more sustainable pace.
If you enjoy watching on YouTube, please note that we won’t be publishing these throwbacks over there. So check them out on your favorite podcasting app, or head over to the podcast page on Melissa K Norris.
How You Can Shape the Future
This community has always been more than just listeners, you’re my people. So I want to hear from you!
What would you love to see in upcoming episodes?
- More solo shows with me teaching or sharing lessons from the homestead?
- More interviews with other homesteaders and experts?
- Deep-dive series on one topic, like food preservation, sourdough, or faith on the homestead?
Leave a comment here or over on YouTube, or drop a review on your favorite podcast app and share your thoughts. Your feedback will help shape the direction of Pioneering Today in 2026 and beyond.
Take Time to Reflect on Your Own Season
I’ve been spending a lot of time lately asking hard questions:
- What am I doing out of habit rather than purpose?
- What can I let go of (just for this season) to create space for joy again?
- How can I realign my work, home, and rest rhythms to better reflect what truly matters?
Maybe it’s time you asked those questions, too.
Homesteading teaches us that pruning leads to growth. If we never rest or cut back, we eventually wither. So this is your gentle reminder to look at your own rhythms and make the changes you need to thrive.
So here’s to pressing pause, honoring the rhythms of life, and resting well so that we can rise strong together.
