Permission to “Cheat” (or: Why Bagged Salad Is Saving My Sanity Right Now)
Let’s just get this out of the way: sometimes, you need to cheat.
Not the sneaky, guilt-ridden kind of cheating. I’m talking about the kind where you look at your day, your season of life, your energy level… and you decide to make things easier on purpose.
Right now? That looks like a bagged salad to me. 
Is it as romantic as harvesting fresh greens from the garden, still warm from the sun? Nope.
Is it saving me time, stress, and one more thing on my mental to-do list? Absolutely.
This time of year, I’m not growing fresh vegetables. But instead of turning that into a whole spiral of “I should be doing more” or “a real homesteader would…”, I’m choosing to meet myself where I am. The bagged salad goes in the cart, and I move on with my day.
Today’s lunch was the perfect example of balance in action. I dumped a bag of salad on a plate – no chopping, no washing, no drama. But I also topped it with a leftover chicken breast that I had taken the time to pound, bread, and fry earlier this week. That part? I enjoy it. It feels grounding and satisfying. So I kept that piece and paired it with something easy.
And that’s the point.
We don’t have to do everything the hard way to “count.” We don’t earn extra points for exhaustion. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s sustainability. It’s choosing where to put our time and energy so we can actually stick with the things that matter to us.
Sometimes that means cooking from scratch.
Sometimes that means using shortcuts.
Most of the time, it means mixing the two.
Giving yourself permission to save time in one area frees you up to focus on another. Whether that’s cooking something you love, tending a garden later in the season, getting work done, or just sitting down and enjoying your meal while it’s still warm.
Balance is the real skill here. Not rigid rules. Not all-or-nothing thinking. Just thoughtful choices that help you succeed in the long run. Because that’s what we want: simple choices leading to success and the ability to create habits and satisfaction.
So if you need to hear this today: you’re allowed to make it easier. You’re allowed to take the shortcut. You’re allowed to use the bagged salad.
Progress doesn’t disappear because you chose convenience once in a while. In fact, that choice might be exactly what keeps you going. 💚
You might also be interested in my book, How to Begin Homesteading. My real life lessons learned in a format where you pick and choose what parts to read that match your journey.
Or maybe these previous posts:
Surviving your partner working out of town
Our First Year of Homesteading – End of Winter
Freezer Prepping One Thing At A Time
