Sowing Space
Now that we’re technically into the spring season, the farm is in full prep mode.
Although this is busiest times of year on my farm, it’s also my personal favorite. The extra daylight makes it easy to spend more time outside. By midday, the sun is usually shining (or trying to) and the temps are pleasant. Not to mention that everything is greening up around the Walla Walla valley.
I also love this time of year because I’ve spent all winter waiting for it. I’ve planned out the year and the garden, so when the weather turns, I’m more than ready to dig in.
Fortunately I spent just as much time planning the new year as I did evaluating the last one.
And by ‘evaluating’ I don’t just mean sitting on the porch sipping wine and casually flipping through the mental scrapbook of the previous year (although, I have most certainly done and still do that!).
This past winter, I went through the old calendar and to peel back the layers of the business. And it was a super deep dive because I was sidelined on the couch recovering from a hysterectomy. I had more time than ever to really look at all facets of the business.
And let me be very candid here, there’s nothing like a health event to really put your life into perspective and to ask some hard but honest questions.
I most definitely took a look at the numbers to see what things were making money and what were costing me money. While the financial piece of running a business absolutely contributes to a sense of fulfillment, farming has taught me it’s definitely not the only metric. I don’t ever want to get to a point where I’m making money and I’m completely miserable. I mean, who really does?
But on the flip side, I also don’t want to break myself just to make a few bucks either.
It’s a constant attempt at balance — how much do you need to stay afloat and how hard are you willing/able to work for it?
The numbers part is fairly straightforward, but the effort piece? That took me all winter to uncover.
What I ultimately arrived at is — less is definitely more. And the reason I’m sharing with you today is because I have a feeling you might just need to hear it for yourself, too!
Here’s what I uncovered — I was hanging onto a really outdated self-concept. I thought I needed to wear all the hats, be all the things, all of the time.
SOUND FAMILIAR?
For me, this default setting turned into thoughts like —
I have to grow everything from seed otherwise I’m not a real farmer.
If I don’t go to every single market, my business will never grow.
If my business isn’t growing that means it’s failing.
And if the business is failing, then I am failing.
Woof. Swap a few of those words and I bet you can relate.
So for my 10th year farming, I’m trying out a new approach.
This is the year where I’m sowing space into my life.
This is an attempt to slide the needle from the VERY SCHEDULED side of life to A LITTLE LESS SCHEDULED.
And I’m trying this on by —
Not attending market every single weekend so that I can have more time to do mini adventures with Mike and Dally.
Reducing the number of subscriptions because being a delivery driver isn’t my favorite thing.
I resisted the urge to make it any more complicated than that. And believe me, the original list of tweaks and changes was ridiculously long. But I’ve learned that less is more in that aspect, too. Trying to make too many life edits generally means fewer get done, and those that do, are half baked. At least in my experience.
And in that spirit, I want to invite you to sow some space as well.
Join me this summer for FLOWER HAPPY HOUR in July and August.
What is FLOWER HAPPY HOUR?
It’s like happy hour at your favorite bar, but swap the uncomfortable pub chairs and dim ambiance for rows of flowers at golden hour on our little slice of Walla Walla heaven.
Watch the alpacas graze, experience our unobstructed sunsets while enjoying a refreshment. Snip a few flowers yourself. Maybe dabble in arranging them. Take home bouquet a very special bouquet to enjoy all week to remember this guilt-free green therapy!
