Are you finding it difficult to stay positive on the farm these days?

Stay positive, friend. I know what you’re going through. Those long days and nights never seem to end. And it seems like everything is coming down on you at once, right?

Yes, when it rains it pours. Literally. In one week’s time, a cow could lose her calf, the entire corn crop could have hail damage and lamb could be killed by a coyote. I’m under the superstition that bad things happen in threes because it’s happened so many times through the years.

Not only on your farm but in your side business. This post/episode truly relates to how to stay positive at work on the farm or with your business when things come up. Because they will come up.

But I’m here to remind you not all is lost. Rural life and farm life is truly a great life. And it can be even better if you can stay positive despite hard times ahead.

In this post, I’m going to share:

Different ways and tips to stay positive on the farm
How farm diversity can help make things better
The 25 basic needs of life and which ones you need in your own life

Listen to the Podcast HERE:

So here is some advice on how to stay positive on the farm .

Don’t Put All Your Eggs In One Basket

This is an old time saying referring to the fact that if the entire egg basket falls, all the eggs may break. So, if you put everything into a certain venture of the farm, it could end badly if it fails.

All the reason why it’s best to have multiple (at least a few) ventures invested in. This is commonly known as farm diversity.

I’m not really sure when this changed, but American farms used to be very diverse. I’m talking about growing all sorts of things on your farm, such as crops and livestock, different kinds of crops, etc. For example, we have invested in crops, cattle, hair sheep and meat goats. Recently, I’ve became a beekeeper with the goal of yet another source of income.

As times were really good in the crops world or the cattle world a few years ago, producers started to put all their eggs in the same basket. I saw farmers getting out of livestock to only raise corn. And others selling crop ground to raise cattle when cattle markets were sky high.

This isn’t a very good idea and here’s why using the corn example:

If our corn crop fails, we still have all of those other ventures to help us stay afloat. In comparison to just being a corn farmer only, if the crop would fail, we’d have no income since we depended solely on corn.

And each of us have other jobs we do besides our farm to help bring income, which also helps rural diversity. Of course we stay super busy trying to juggle all of these things. And this is why we’re here.

But staying busy is just how we like it.

Stay Busy

Because if you’re busy, you won’t worry as much. True story.

You’ll have less time to think about that whole pie if you have several pieces involved. Or all those broken eggs.

I’ve seen evidence of too many complaining of being lonely this time of year. Or all year while their partner works on the farm. Well, believe me – I’ve felt this way. Quickly, here’s how I have overcame the feeling of loneliness:

Started Helping More On The Farm
Started My Own Businesses/Hobbies
Read Books or Listen to Audiobooks or Podcasts
Made Friends
Plan for Travel

These are only a few ideas to stay busy and combat loneliness. My favorite is helping more on the farm. I’ve learned so many skills by helping out and even taking charge on a few jobs myself.

And I know if you have kids, it can be difficult sometimes to juggle them with farm work.

Read How I Balance Livestock Chores With Kids

Let’s get rid of the excuses and make something happen. To be honest, seasons change and hard times end. So, make the most of the time you have no matter the situation.

And when you have a chance, step away from your real life for just a little while. Believe me. It’s good for you.

Plenty of Sleep

Sleep is a Vital Need most people do not get enough. I know I don’t get enough. But it’s so important. Vital needs are basic human needs for survival.

Some of the most influential and amazing people in the world documented sleep as their primary tool for achievement. Mind and body function is of the essence. You have to take care of yourself in order to stay positive and achieve your dreams.

So, how much sleep are you getting these days? Here are some strategies for getting the sleep you need.

Skip out on TV. Go to bed earlier.
Sleep in a little later.
Stick in naps throughout the day.

I have found sleep to be very necessary for me to stay positive as a mother while dealing with the stresses of farm life. And I’ve had to learn that the hard way.

More sleep = Happy mom.

But that time in my life where sleep was unimportant is over. It’s a priority now. And vacation times or “mini retirements” are also a major vital need for myself and for others.

Your basic necessities of life may not be the same as mine. Want to see the whole list? Keep on reading.

Other Basic Needs of Life

There are about 25 vital needs that many of us require to stay positive and sane. Even through hard times, you must meet these vital needs in your life to stay happy.

I learned this process while taking the Naturally Slim course. Since choosing the ones that fit me and trying to meet them as often as possible, I have found increased satisfaction and more fulfillment in my life. I’m not an affiliate for Naturally Slim but the course did help me to change certain habits and live life better.

Check out the Naturally Slim Course Page Here.

What are your vital needs? What’s lacking in your life?

Here’s the 25 vital needs. Choose your top 5-7 vital needs that make you feel amazing.

Anticipation
Approval & Acceptance
Being with People
Competition
Empathy
Financial Security
Group Relationships
Having a Project
Humor
Learning Something New
Listening to Music (Or a Podcast!)
Movement
Need to Give and Do for Others
One-on-one Attention
Order & Closure
Personal Time
Recognition for Achievement
Sleep
Spirituality
Territory
Time Alone
Touching
Unstructured Time
Variety of Experiences

Now, choose your top 5-7 vital needs that you NEED to feel empowered and fulfilled. Really think about how you can incorporate your vital needs into your life to feel.

Get Away For A While

It’s ok to take vacations. Of course, I’m not telling you to run away from problems occurring on the farm. Just fix the problems you can and then take some time away.

Some time away could be a day or a weekend drive. So, even a really short time away can really make you feel a lot better.

But if you have livestock, it may be difficult for you to get away over night. You can find someone reliable to do chores for you. It’s not that difficult. Just make it happen.

Here are some tips to making vacations happen when you have livestock

My favorite way to get away is to go visit family. Doesn’t matter who it is. It’s always so nice to sit down and laugh with family or friends. And luxuries such as hot tubs are just additional perks.

Believe me. This break is so worth it. I suggest at least twice a year to find a way to get away from the farm. It will be great for your mind and body.

Here’s the post for how to vacation without pets

And Here’s the post for traveling WITH your pets

Surround Yourself With Supportive People

Did you know that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. And if you’re a farmer, this really means something. Because, of course, you will be around certain other people working on the farm. All. The. Time.

And you’ll want to make sure they support you in all of your business or hobby ventures. Because if they don’t support you, you will be hearing about it until they see you thriving in it.

If you just don’t have these people in your life, you’ll need to practice the art of self automation. This means you need to talk to yourself in a positive way each and every day.

And in the podcast episode, I talk about two books by Lysa Terkheurst that has helped me to be easier on myself just by building on my relationship with Jesus. This is a game changer, friend. And it can be your’s, too.

You need to be your best critic – not anyone else. Because it’s your life and you need to give yourself the support. If you’re surrounded by negative people daily, they are going to be very detrimental to your success.

So, Avoid Negativity

Ha! Easier said than done, right?

The opposite of supportive and productive is negative. The meaning of negative is just simply when you feel like the world is down and thus you feel like you should be down, too. And negativity is very harmful to mindset. Very harmful.

I truly feel bad for people who have dreams in life but have such a negative attitude. Some of this negativity is because of their own mindset because of the people they surround themselves with. And if these negative people are family or close friends, it’s even harder!

So, how in the world do you stay positive with all the negativity around. Here’s some ideas.

How to Avoid Negativity With Close Family/Friends

You need positive meaning words in your head.

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Haters gonna hate.” There’s always those few people (or everyone you know) who tell you that you will not achieve what you are set out to do.

From years of experience, I can advise you on avoiding negativity from people who are close to you. I agree it so super hard. But, I have found a couple of ways to stay on the right track no matter what you hear people saying to you.

And that’s all you should be doing. Hearing those words. Then drop them like the rocks they are. You deserve butterflies in your head – not rocks. I’m recommending this amazing book to you. It has changed my way of thinking tremendously. Read it and throw hateful words aside.

Because it’s your journey. You’ve been called to it. If you believe it then you can achieve it. You might hear negative people saying, “Keep telling yourself that.” Seriously…everyday. Tell your dream to yourself out loud.

Sometimes It’s Not Just About You

I always notice a lot of lonely posts on social media from farm wives or husbands around busy seasons. Seasons, such as planting, harvest and calving can be extremely stressful times on balance and family life.

Remember that the farmer is stressed and lonely as well. Just because he/she is busy with their farm work doesn’t mean they don’t miss you every minute. And they might appear grumpy when they come home.

Don’t take it personally! They don’t mean what they are saying. It’s a busy and stressful time. And this too shall pass. Probably what they really need is a hug and some good sleep. And some time with you.

And you’ll have time together soon. Remember that this is just a season of life and it will pass.

This Season Shall Pass

For everything, there is a season. Life and death. Harvest, planting, calving, kidding and so much more.

All seasons come and go. Living things live for a while and then they die. And time moves on.

So when you’re finding it hard to stay positive about certain situations, remember that it will pass. And a new chapter will arise in it’s place. You’ll look back on this time and wonder how you ever got through it. And you did.

The tips above will help you to combat loneliness and stay positive on the farm.

I’ll review them with you again:

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Try different business ventures. Diversify.
Get Plenty of Sleep.
Do Your Own Thing. Start something you’ve always wanted to do.
Throw Negativity Out The Window to Stay Positive.

Believe in yourself. Do not quit. Know what you want out of life. How will you ever achieve that ultimate goal if you don’t know what your life desire really is?

What Is Your BIGGEST Desire in Life?

How to Stay Positive On The Farm