Good morning.
Some of you may know of Sam Gray. She is a smallholder in Shropshire, has written a book called Doing It In Wellies and also contributes to Country Smallholding magazine; you can follow her blog here.
In an article here she talks about how to make time. I have used it as the basis of the post - don't worry I have checked with Sam and she was happy for me to reference her.
Trying not to take on too much in the first place is a really good piece of advice. However, it doesn't stop your head being so full of ideas of every kind with regard to what you want to do that you fear there may be a cerebral explosion! I had visions of keeping pigs, chickens, having a larder full of homemade preserves and the like before we moved to Wales. We have achieved some of this but Jon works, I have the boys to look after and then there is the cost of setting up the projects we have in mind!
You have lists of things that need to be done before these projects can get off the ground. There are always one or two things which need doing to prepare for the start of any major job/project. For example, the Poly House needs re-covering after the wrath of storms Ophelia and Brian et al - thankfully it didn't get off the ground due to Jon building it so sturdily! But we need to wait for some tiles we are due to "acquire" from a roof which is to be replaced. They can then be put on the conservatory roof which means the plastic roofing will be available to repair the Poly House. See what I mean?
Following on from that I really try not to worry about the little things.. There will always be something to do so don't worry that you will always have something to do. This is the lifestyle, an ongoing life, not one that is going to be finished any time soon.
Knowing and realising this is a part of also stopping to enjoy what you have. Don't be so busy that you don't enjoy what you have around you. Try and enjoy your animals as well as them being there to provide you with sustenance or an income. I need to take more time to talk to my chooks; I love cleaning them out and making sure they are happy and comfy so they lay lots of tasty eggs for us. (Managed to sell my first box of the year last week!)
Sam started writing her book after four years on her smallholding. It helped her realise why she had chosen that way of life. She perfectly described how I felt after a year or so of living in Wales. Even though we have A LOT to do, have plans - some on hold - some sorted - some ongoing, the dream is now a reality and we wouldn't dream of living it anywhere else!
Bye for now.
Lou.xx
Ramblings of how me and mine are managing to keep living our best life whilst also running our sheep farm. Check that out on Instagram at @sheepathenblas.
Yes, I find time is often the greatest problem, and sometimes it conflicts with making life enjoyable. It can be a bit depressing to realise how much time routine matters take, and how little time there is where one can choose what to do. For my accountancy practice I plan every task that takes more than 2 hours so that I keep on track and deadlines can be met without too much of a panic.
ReplyDeleteTrue, Selwyn, everybody seems to battle against time at some point.
ReplyDeleteWell done selling your eggs. Yes as they say taking time to smell the roses as you live your lifestyle. Well done with all that you have achieved. It's about a journey you are happily living through with your family. Best wishes
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words Shirley. We enjoy our life. Just today Jon fetched logs from the sawmill before breakfast and they are now all chopped and stacked along with smaller pieces for kindling. We haven't had the Rayburn lit for a week or so as the logs we had were too damp but we will be firing it up again tomorrow ready to cook breakfast.
DeleteRome wasn't built in a day as the saying goes. You've made a fantastic start to your life. Your Airbnb is off the ground and other things will follow.
ReplyDeleteYes Tania, true. I sometimes have to stop beating myself up about things.
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