Balance

dndweeks · #1 08/08/13, 03:07 PM

Hubby and I have been having some discussions lately about finding balance between work and pleasure. We have a lot of things we enjoy doing in life which are in line with homesteading - gardening, raising animals, and fishing. There are other things we enjoy as well like taking vacations from time to time and I've been aching to get back into camping as well.

What we're not sure about is how to create that balance between homesteading, which requires a lot of work and still enjoying a little time away. Is it possible to do both? If so, how do you find that balance?

jwal10 · #2 08/08/13, 04:56 PM

We USE the kids, just kidding. DS has his cabin here so it is easy for us to get away. We do the same for them. We did get a family week, all together at the lake cabin in late June/July, DS got 3 weeks with us. We had 1 goat to milk and the chickens, rabbits and pigeons to feed and gather the eggs. Then we were at the coast cabin for a few days to can tuna for the family, DS came for 1 night. Retirement is so great....James

ronbre · #3 08/08/13, 05:17 PM

if you can develop a trusted friend who you can have help with your animals while you vacation and help with theirs while they do it might work..otherwise..not likely get the vacations..unless they are separate

am1too · #4 08/08/13, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dndweeks

Hubby and I have been having some discussions lately about finding balance between work and pleasure. We have a lot of things we enjoy doing in life which are in line with homesteading - gardening, raising animals, and fishing. There are other things we enjoy as well like taking vacations from time to time and I've been aching to get back into camping as well.

What we're not sure about is how to create that balance between homesteading, which requires a lot of work and still enjoying a little time away. Is it possible to do both? If so, how do you find that balance?

Since I moved to the country my desire to hike and camp has fled. I enjoy my property woods.

T Holland · #5 08/08/13, 05:26 PM

That's how we do it - we help others when there's a need and have learned to ask for help when we need. Asking was the hard part. We learned a lot too- as most times our 'helpers' did everything a little differently and sometimes better than we did!

Vosey · #6 08/08/13, 09:40 PM

We camped every weekend from April into September when we lived in town. The first year we were able to move back to the country, went camping and kept thinking "if we were home we'd have a lot less people around!". (We were stuck camping on weekends). This year we've done a few day trips canoeing, but mostly we are very happy to just be home. But it is hard as there are so many incredible places to go camping within just a few hours of us.

As for travel, I go without DH. He hates to fly, so it usually works out fine. For instance, I'm going to Sedona with his mom this fall. We'd like to both get back to Maine together to see family, but we'd need to find a really trustworthy house sitter.

Awnry Abe · #7 08/08/13, 09:44 PM

For me, the challenges of homesteading have been all about making efficient use of time. If I can create a mechanism that I can load up with many days worth of food and water instead of 1, then I am one step closer to a moment of away-time. I enjoy the routine of daily chore time--and garden time-- but not necessarily the burden of putting out food and water for livestock each morning/evening. I much prefer to check food and water, and load it up as needed, and spend the time enjoying the animals. If I need to be away for a night or 7, is sure is nice to know that I can manage to do so with, for example, a pair of 55-gallon drums full of layer mix and water for the hens, automatic waterers for the goats, and plenty of fresh pasture for anything that needs it. (That said, dairy is the ultimate ball-n-chain. Travel needs to be arranged around their dry season, for certain).

Nicole Irene · #8 08/08/13, 11:19 PM

Auto waterers, my mom and a helpful neighbor. We pay our neighbor in eggs, veggies, pork and lamb (they raise none of the aforementioned).

Halfway · #9 08/09/13, 09:13 AM

I try and relax with a high energy "fun" event following a high energy work day. Sounds tough, but it really reduces stress and more effectively "relaxes" me.

Closer to the OP, I try and insure those "relaxation" activities are allowed enough time versus the workday. I guess it is a matter of priorities.

Steve in PA · #10 08/09/13, 10:35 AM

For me balance is a transient concept.

I work everyday at a job that I vary between hating and tolerating. Since I'm the family provider and it's a very good job I stick it out. I don't complain because the generations before me had it much worse. For instance, some of the ones that got off the boat worked in the coal mines.

When I get home the first thing I do is a lap around the property with the dog. We check the garden, pick ripe things, and pull a few weeds as needed. Everyone in my household knows that is "my time" to destress. My son finally realized the other week that what I enjoy at home is completely the opposite of my profession. I work in a technology driven industry and weeding the garden is about as far as you get from it.

After my lap we eat then I try to enjoy both of my kids. One's a 16yo boy and the other is an 8yo girl. There isn't much overlap in their interests. When they go to bed it's me & wife time. We've started having cocktails by the fire pit and it's a wonderful way to end the day.

When I have vacation days I'm much more balanced and sleep well. The night before I go back to work the insomnia starts and continues off/on.

OUVickie · #11 08/09/13, 03:38 PM

We've taken 3 short vacations this year. We pay one of our neighbors to come over and take care of everything.
It helps him out - he's a self-employed handyman - and it give us peace of mind knowing someone is taking good care of the house and animals.

If you can find someone you trust to either pay or barter with for the help, it's definitely worth it. A house sitter would work, if you know and trust someone that can do it for you.

We both work outside the homestead and we need some time away occasionally. Fortunately for us, DH makes enough money we can now afford to pay someone to help us out.