FarmHer

In the beginning of this journey of ours, shoot… who am I kidding, up until recently I was a little embarrassed to call myself a farmer. Not because I didn’t necessarily believe it, but more so because I struggled with whether I truly qualified to be in that box, or how I even defined what an actual farmer was in my own head.

In the past three years, I’ve done some major soul searching. The first thing I realized is that I am not the same person I was five years ago. Quite honestly, I’m not even the same person I was two years ago. Life has changed me.

I recently had that ah-ha moment the generation of women before me always talked about. The realization that time is money, but more importantly, it’s yours to spend on what actually makes you happy. That “you’ll understand when you’re older” conversation. Well… I’m older now, and I get it.

I understand that I’m at a point in my life where I absolutely need to do what makes me happy, but do it in a way that positively impacts others without taking on extra baggage. If I could master the art of happiness and kindness at the same time, would I achieve success? Those are the kinds of conversations I have with myself in the mornings before I even get ready for the day.

My poor husband Ryan gets no sleep. He’s a night owl and I’m an early bird. When I get these thoughts in my head, I’ll wake him up and tell him about whatever epiphany I just came to. He is so patient with me. He listens, then asks questions.

So I started searching for those moments. The ones where I didn’t need my phone in my hand. The ones where I looked up and the day was gone, but I was exactly where I wanted to be. No regrets. No shame about what I didn’t get done.

That’s what I’ve found to be my happiness.

That space, for me, is anything that has to do with growing food, learning about animals and raising them, helping others, or getting lost in a DIY project or craft.

So… after I realized what makes me happy, I went back to the question that started all of this.

What exactly is a farmer… and do I fit into that box?

And that’s when it hit me.

Hell yeah, I’m a farmer.

But here’s the best part… I got rid of the box.

I’m a woman who enjoys growing vegetables, raising and learning about animals, and sharing those experiences with others who are also trying to juggle everything this life throws at them. I am a FarmHer.

Moral of the Story
Be who you want to be, not what they want you to be. Get rid of the box. ❤️✌🏼
— Jamie