Farm Table Wellbeing Article

In the middle of the build, scale and blur of business and life it’s all too easy to overlook the most important question of all: Who is looking after you? As the seasons change and you find yourself immersed in the long ‘to-do’ list and tasks of farm life, it’s vital to remember that your own wellbeing—your health, happiness, and relationships—deserves your attention and care just as much as the crops, sheep, cattle, books and the build and scale of business.

Why? Because at the heart of every successful endeavour lies your resilience, your perseverance, and your unwavering passion—qualities that make up the essence of grit. Grit isn’t just about pushing through challenges; it’s about anchoring yourself to your goals, no matter what challenges and struggles come your way. Grit is the glue that ties the dream to the result and it provides a momentum and the inner strength that propels you forward, reminding you that every effort, every sacrifice, is a step closer to that dream becoming a goal.

Grit doesn’t exist in isolation, it thrives on the foundation of your wellbeing—the pillars that sustain your spirit and nourish your soul. Your physical health forms the cornerstone of your wellbeing, giving you the energy and ability to face each day with and that dream with vigour. And your happiness, emotional and psychological wellbeing? They’re the guiding lights that illuminate your path, helping you navigate the complexities even when the dreams coexist with pain and hardship.

Yet, perhaps the most overlooked aspect of wellbeing is the power of connection—the ties that bind us to one another in shared humanity. In a world that often feels isolated, especially in business, rural and farming life, your relationships—your bonds with family, friends, and community—are the lifelines that keep you going and remind you that you are not alone, that others have been where you are and the sharing provides strength. Relationships, connection, belonging and kindness offer solace in times of trial, laughter in moments of joy, and a sense of care that reminds you that you’re never alone on this big, messy, blurry life and business journey.

Investing in your wellbeing isn’t just a luxury reserved for idle moments—it’s a necessity for sustainable success. By prioritising selfcare, you’re not only replenishing your own reserves of grit but also setting an example for those around you. Regular check-ins with yourself, moments of reflection, and acts of self-kindness are all vital steps in this journey of nurturing the most important relationship of all: the one with yourself!

Taking care of ourselves is vital for replenishing our energy and fortifying our resilience, allowing us to show up more fully in both our personal and professional relationships. It’s through selfcare that we gain clarity, enabling us to discern where to invest our energies and when to step back.

Here’s how we can nurture ourselves and increase our grit:

1. Set Clear Goals – Break down the dreams into manageable steps and don’t forget to celebrating each milestone reached as you navigate that roadmap,
2. Have a Growth Mindset – Embrace challenges as avenues for personal growth, reframing setbacks as opportunities rather than obstacles,
3. Practicing Self-Discipline – Establish habits that foster self-control and consistency, remember that little by little adds up to BIG,
4. Embracing Failure – see the setbacks as valuable lessons and fuel for the future,
5. Connect yourself to Purpose and Passion –  Anchor and align yourself and your dreams and goals with more than just you,
6. Celebrating Progress – Acknowledge even the smallest achievements, doing this reinforces resilience and propels you forward with renewed enthusiasm, and
7. Remaining Flexible –  Remember that life ‘happens’ and that you’re going to have to re-callibrate and sometimes the first draft of the roadmap isn’t the best fit.

There are also times in life where the best way to care for ourselves is to have others care for us, and that until we have the professional help and support we cant move forward with business, life and the blur in between. When was the last time you spoke to your GP or a therapist?

Caring for yourself isn’t selfish; it’s a revolutionary and ripples outwards to touch every single aspect of your life. You deserve the same level of care and attention that you so freely give to the farm and to others, as you tend to the tasks and the to-do list, don’t forget to tend to yourself as well.

Remember, nothing works if you don’t.