So the past couple of weeks have been good, but tough. Man have they been tough. And for lots of reasons. One reason is mainly because I have too many choices on what to do with my life. I’m not good at having all the choices laid out in front of me. I can do anything. Anything at all. And that’s not good. I want to do it all! So how do you narrow down what you want to do with the rest of your life? I guess you start with what you don’t want to do and go from there but that still leaves several options! Do I go back to grad school and get a second master’s degree for a job that may or may not be there? That’s a tough one. I don’t mind getting the second master’s degree but if I can’t use it for a long time then does it even make sense? How do I make a living where I can afford my own homestead and all that goes with that? What else do I want to do with my life besides homestead? I don’t know. I just don’t know!!
SOOOOO, I’ve been giving it some thought. What I would really like to do is focus on my homesteading. I’ve come up with a plan that will take some time to formulate and put into place. I’m starting with applying to grad school. It doesn’t hurt to have that option available and see where that goes. Easy peasy. Then I’ll focus on working with what I have for the homestead-chickens, garden, canning, making things, etc. I can do all this and have fun too. No problem. I’ll explore options for making, and saving, money for the future homestead. I’ll focus on the relationships that bring me happiness, whether they are real life or on social media. Let’s face it most of my peeps on instagram are like minded and very supportive. I had several email me asking if I was okay after I shut down my instagram.
Now for the good. I’m finishing up maple syrup season. I’ll post about that soon. I’m making plans. That makes me happy. I don’t have it all figured out but I will get there. I went for a boat ride on Saturday when it was just gorgeous out! The Mister told me that I should learn to build things for myself so I helped him build a cow enclosure on Easter (not for us). I cleaned out the chicken coop and hung some grit and oyster shell feeders. I’ll give an update on the girls soon. I want to be on this space more and maybe not focus on instagram as much (I can interact there without posting a ton of photos). Oh. And the gin we made? It turned out fantastic! I’ll do a whole post on how to make it. I want to do a second bottle anyway. Those are the fun things. Trial and error things. Making things. Doing things. Now we can all move on and plan the homestead.
Bambi Ortiz
People come into our lives for 2 reasons..either they are a lesson..or they’re here to stay. I’ve lost plenty of so-called friends. Either because my lifestyle wasn’t like theirs or the benefits of being my friend no longer served them. I have better connections with people on Instagram than I do with those physically around me. Sad but true. As far as what you want to do with your life, you’ll know because you want it so bad it hurts, but in a good way. Do you and screw the naysayers because those who matter, won’t mind, and those who mind, don’t matter!
Chicken Librarian
I love it! I especially love ‘those who matter won’t mind, and those who mind, don’t matter’. Wonderfully said! I feel like in this one instance that since I’ve moved I’ve outlived my usefulness because you know Siberia is a long way away and hard to get to! It really is upsetting but I guess it’s to be expected. And then to criticize my social media on top of that? Not okay. But I’m doing better. The support from everyone, you included, has been top notch! Thank you for your support and kind, but truthful, words ❤️
mrsmotherdirt
You know, when you make a decision to go in a certain direction in your life, not everyone will like it, agree, or stick by you. It’s just the universe’s way of making room for your dream to grow into fruition by weeding out the naysayers. If homesteading is what you want, Go for it!!!
Chicken Librarian
Thank you for your kind words. It’s hard when you finally feel like you’re living your life the way you have always dreamed of and not everyone is on board or supportive. It makes it hard to see through that negative place and really realize you are okay to keep moving forward. Not everyone will be willing or able to move forward with you. It sucks but it’s the truth. Thanks again for your comment and support ❤️
mrsmotherdirt
It is hard. That’s why so few people really do what they truly want with their life. It’s easier to procrastinate and please others. I look forward to following your journey 🙂
Chicken Librarian
Thank you❤️
Rob
Life is like a roller coaster……sometimes a baby one and sometimes one that makes you say OMG when you ride it. Choosing the right friends to ride it with is the key.
True friends MATCH. And it should be fairly close to 50/50. Although sometimes it will shift SOME. So take a good look at your friendships/relationships and keep the ones who meet you half way and move the others back or kindly eliminate them.
As far as a life plan goes, expect that to change daily, weekly, monthly until you figure out what makes YOU fulfilled and happy.
Growth is hard. But you CAN do this!!!!!
All the BEST!!!!!
Rob
Chicken Librarian
Agreed. I too think friendships and any relationship should be pretty equally matched and that also sometimes one or the other will need more. But when one person keeps needing more and more with very little given back, it’s time to think about that relationship. And thank you for your encouraging words about life in general.
S
Too many choices can be just as paralyzing as it is exciting. It’s great to try things – see what works, what you like and what doesn’t fit. Do what you like and kindly ignore those who aren’t supportive in your journey.
Leona Breck
I so feel for you! It is difficult to be at a crossroads in life. Sometimes those kinds of descisions paralize me. I endlessly go over choices and worry about the outcome of each and every one. It is hard to be brave and just go for it. As you know, we spent last week searching for our homestead, and even though we have 3 good leads, I am petrified that we will choose the wrong one.
I really enjoy reading about your homesteading adventures because we have so many of the same intetests. It gives me hope that I will be able to do it too. As for real life friends, it is hard when both friends aren’t progressing at the same rate. Life throws some curve balls and suddenly someone whose likes and interests meshed perfectly with your own becomes a stranger. I had this happen just before our move and it can hurt.
I hope you gain encouragement from your followers. There is some really good advice and true caring in the comments I read. Sending good thoughts your way and looking forward to future posts 😄
Chicken Librarian
Thank you Leona! It’s funny when you realize that you’ve made some good friends via a social media platform, especially when you are being ridiculed for that same social media platform. And I agree totally with all the good advice I’ve been given. It’s such a relief, and refreshing, to know that I’m not alone!
As for the whole ‘what do I do with my life’ part…well, that’s a little harder sometimes. I have a few ideas floating around in my head, plus I’ve been given some great advice on that too. I’m going to throw a couple of things out there and see if anything sticks. As long as it doesn’t cost me money (or the expense incurred is minimal) I’m going to try it.
Now, as for you and your homestead. I do hope you find the one that feels right. And soon. I believe we should do a meet up once you make it to the Catskills permanently. There. I said it. We do have a lot of the same interests and it would be nice to have you so much closer!
Thank you friend. I appreciate your support and kind words.❤️
Leona Breck
I would LOVE to meet up! I was too chicken to suggest it so I am glad you did 😁
Chicken Librarian
Good! It’s settled then 😉❤️❤️❤️
Andrea aka lilfarmchic
The pictures are beautiful as usual. I think everyone if they are honest…struggles with friendships whether they are in real life or social media. I got to the point that getting on facebook was a real downer in so many ways that I shut it down months ago and never looked back. I too get my feelings hurt and take things to heart too easy. The only social media I do now is instagram. The older I get though the more of an introvert I have become. Preferring farm animals over people most of the time hahaha but I have found a community that I love on Instagram. I find so much inspiration, plus support and understanding with my hobby farm/homesteading adventures. I do find it is a bit clicky like any group or community is I guess. I don’t follow the big accounts on there because I don’t like one sided anything. I want the interactions. I have downsized who I am following too but I wish the algorithm would go away and just be chronological. I know I miss seeing some posts. Please don’t feel gun shy about your post. I could totally relate to what you were saying and I think so many others did too. Love the blog friend!
Chicken Librarian
Oh boy Andrea… you are so right with everything you said. And I appreciate your kind words about it all (and my pics too! That’s an important part of what I’m doing). Where do I start? Let’s start with instagram. I don’t follow the big accounts anymore either. They are never going to interact even though I interact with them all the time. And I’m not talking accounts with millions of followers. I’m talking maybe 10,000 or less. Although there are a couple of people that I follow (and they follow me back) with that many followers and they are great about their interactions, so much so that I don’t even realize they have that many followers. It’s so frustrating. And I also agree, for that same reason, that IG can be clicky. I know I’ve had those moments where I look at an account and saw their numbers and looked at who they followed and said to myself ‘they’ll never follow me/interact with me’. BUT then I take a step back and start looking at the friendships I’ve made and I start to think that we’re doing something right. We’ve found our niche. Our peeps. Our group. And I love that.
Which is what makes having real life friends be ugly to you about your social media so hurtful. I don’t know what else to say about that. I was hurt and saddened by my one friend’s response. The others just made me mad. But I think i’ve been given good advice and I’m coming to terms with it all.
And yes! Let’s just be ourselves, love one another the best we can, and show off those cute animals we all love so much!! Sorry if I got derailed here. Your comment was very truthful and thought provoking. Thanks friend ❤️❤️