Effort Driven Rewards in our Urban Homestead
Our journey to a simpler, more fulfilling life began one year ago with a move to the heart of Salt Lake City, into a charming house built in 1888, right in the historic Avenues neighborhood. We decided to downsize, not just our home but our entire way of living. It's been a remarkable shift.
Each day, Jim takes the train to work, turning his commute into a productive and eco-friendly part of his day. He reads, reflects, and sometimes just watches the city pass by, a small but significant contribution to helping our environment.
Back at home, our once bare backyard is transforming. Picture this: rows of vegetables, vines soon-to-be dripping with grapes, and young fruit trees stretching their branches skyward. It’s a small-scale urban orchard and vineyard in the making. And recently our basement has become the heart of Apricot Tree Press. It hasn’t just been a change of address, it's a whole new chapter, a testament to our commitment to live more sustainably, creatively, and meaningfully.
I just learned about something called the effort-driven reward cycle. A psychological phenomenon where the effort put into a task makes the reward more satisfying. It's the feeling of gratification after kneading dough for hours to bake the perfect loaf of bread or the sense of accomplishment when penning a thoughtful letter. This cycle is deeply embedded in activities that require time, patience, and a personal touch.
Homesteading, much like letter writing, is a testament to the effort-driven reward cycle. Whether it's tending to a garden, preserving apricots from our backyard trees, or making homemade bread from wheat berries, each task demands effort and care. But the rewards are immense. There's a unique satisfaction in consuming food you've grown yourself or using products you've created with your own hands. It's a direct, tangible result of your labor and love.
Why do we engage in these time-intensive, effortful activities in a world that constantly rushes towards efficiency? The answer lies in the intrinsic value these tasks provide. They ground us, connect us to the simpler rhythms of life, and offer a sense of accomplishment that quick, effortless tasks rarely bring.
In an age dominated by instant messaging and emails, I’m hoping letter writing will become a cherished activity. Writing a letter is more than just communication, it's meditative practice, a way of slowing down and appreciating the moment. The effort put into crafting a letter makes the connection with the recipient that much more meaningful. In the act of writing a letter we're sending a piece of ourselves.
In homesteading, we're not just producing goods; we're nurturing a lifestyle that's harmonious with nature and our deepest selves. There’s spiritual beauty of these deliberate, thoughtful practices. They teach us patience, bring us closer to our roots, and remind us that the best rewards often come from efforts that demand our time and heart. Let's embrace these activities, not just for their outcomes, but for the joy and fulfillment found in the journey itself.
