An honest conversation with a flower farmer...
I remember in my first season of flower farming I had a veteran farmer tell me that by July, I would want to mow down every single row and call it quits.
Ever the optimist I smiled politely and told myself, “That will never happen. I love my flowers way too much.”
My friend was right though. Not just that year either.
Every July or August, as if on clockwork, I begin to feel very tired of the farm chores and start to feel overwhelmed with all that needs to be done.
It can be paralyzing and last year, I noticed a trend that when my garden is at it's most beautiful, I am at my worst.
I eat crappy. I don't workout. I am too busy to do anything but stressful striving. Those things combined shut me down. Every. Single. Year. I struggle big time with anxiety and depression during one of the most beautiful garden months of the year.
Have you ever had a season in life like that?
Last year I promised myself I would do things differently in 2025.
So here is what I'm changing this year.
- I'm getting off of social media for the entire month of July and maybe also August.
- Slowing our schedule down
- Increasing my verbiage from “self care” to “what regulates me" has been incredibly important. When I schedule self care, it often too easily gets cancelled. When I think of how important it is that I regulate my emotions it helps me to prioritize making time for what fills me up. This includes anything from unplugging, reading for fun, trips away from the garden, and journaling.
- Scheduling more help gives me time with people - I knew that I was going to need more help in the garden but having heloers here, also helps me not work alone. A lot of my farming happens solo so I made sure to schedule Lacey working regularly for the months of July & August.
- Scheduling check-ins with the heart, soul, and mental care professionals in my corner.
- Zeroing in on my nutrition - I am trying to be extremely mindful of how I fuel my body.
- Designing and working while being present. Praying and deep breathing while I am doing the work. It helps center me and bring me back to WHY I do what I do. Which is YOU!
I'm very grateful for my life and my job and this community of YOU beautiful people I get to serve.
I want to show up my best self so that means caring for me so we can care for each other, right?
Comment below - tell me if any of the things on my list resonate with you? Or if you'll try one of them with me?