Life’s been a bit of a whirlwind lately, and it’s been a while since I’ve checked in. I thought it was important to share why I’ve been a bit MIA—and, to be honest, it all comes down to one word: balance.
The Reality of Juggling Full-Time Work and Homesteading
Let me be real with you—it’s tough. Both my partner and I work full-time jobs that are mentally draining. Even though I usually get home by 4 p.m., you’d think that would leave me with plenty of time to dive into homestead chores. I thought so too, in the beginning. But as soon as I went back to work, reality hit.
As a teacher, my job is non-stop. There’s always something demanding your attention, and by the time I’m home, making decisions about dinner feels like the last thing I want to do, let alone tackling the to-do list for the homestead.
But now and then, I take a moment to admire the sunset, and it’s a reminder of why we’re doing all this.
The Overwhelm of Homestead Goals
We’ve got so many dreams for our property:
- Setting up a functioning homestead with chickens, bees, and possibly ducks.
- Creating a flourishing kitchen garden and a thriving fruit orchard.
- Building a peaceful space that feels like our sanctuary.
But starting from scratch isn’t easy. And don’t get me started on the 7,000 square meters of grass that always seems to need mowing. Remember when mowing the lawn was exciting? Now it just feels like another task on the endless list.
Loving the Dream, Hating the Struggle
Am I giving up? No. Do I love both teaching and homesteading? Right now, it’s a bit of a love-hate relationship. Teaching is undervalued and underpaid, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. I can’t imagine walking away from it, especially since the income helps fund our dream of living on acreage and building our homestead.
Here’s the thing: we need the money to make this dream a reality, but sometimes the demands of the job drain the energy and joy I want to put into the homestead. I know this is a privileged problem to have, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to pursue this lifestyle. But finding a way to balance wanting the dream and having the time to live it is still something I’m figuring out.
The Challenges of Queensland’s Heat
Another challenge? Queensland’s heat. It’s gorgeous, but it’s HOT. You only have a small window each day to work outside before the heat, humidity, and sun make it unbearable. Even beach days can feel like a bit of a challenge sometimes, and that makes balancing work with homesteading even trickier.
The struggle of finding time and energy is real, and the heat doesn’t make it any easier.
Reflecting on Life and What’s Next
With my birthday coming up on the 25th, I’ve been in a reflective mood. Birthdays have a way of making you pause and think about what you’ve achieved and where you’re headed.
I know the kind of life I want:
- A balanced routine that lets me split my time between work and homesteading.
- A property that feels like a peaceful retreat, where every corner reflects our hard work.
The challenge now is figuring out how to get there.
Looking for Ideas
If you’ve been in a similar situation or have any tips for balancing full-time work with homesteading, I’d love to hear them. Whether it’s time management, creative solutions for the heat, or ways to stay motivated, I’m all ears!
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, I know this is just part of the journey. Balancing work, life, and homesteading dreams isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. I’m so grateful for this space to share my thoughts and for everyone who takes the time to connect.
Thanks for sticking with me through the ups and downs. Here’s to finding balance and building the life we dream of, one step at a time.
Happy adulting!