The post of a blog friend has been on my mind since I read it. Because of careful planning and major life changes she was fortunate to set up a farm and throw herself 100% into farming, gardening and homemaking. Unfortunately she now sees what we, her brothers and sisters in sustainability and self-sufficiency also have learned from years of experience, these are not viable ways to procure cash. Nature will always fill your belly but you can never count on her to fill your purse. One will only burn out trying to prove otherwise.
I feel partially responsible for not exposing the cold hard truths of living like this, off grid so to speak, that newbies and daydreamers can't know. The truth is cooking, gardening and farming are excellent ways to save money and feed your family. The truth is to maintain and secure the necessary infrastructure for these activities requires the labour of at least one more person and other resources including a cash flow.
I blog about my successes and each picture carefully taken to show a sense of perfection. Are there any dishes, can you hear me panting, do you see my dirty nails or the weeds, or the unswept floor? The truth is I never have time to make my house or my yard look pretty. I am too tired from keeping enough food growing to fill my freezer for the winter and the wolf from the door.
Anyone who is serious about sustainable living encounters feelings of inadequacy and overwhelming everyday. We just live with it and keep trudging down the path. Each day too we take our eyes from our obsession and to see how beautiful the journey really is. The rewards far outshine the losses, never posh and frilly but always an exciting adventure.
Peace
