Lately, I’ve been asking myself, "Can I keep carrying it all?" Between the end of calving season, dealing with silage, board meetings, and keeping up with the kids’ appointments and school schedules, it feels like everything is piling up. Add in the winter illnesses we’ve all been battling, and I started questioning if I’m really managing it all or just barely holding it together.

In this episode, I talk about the strategies that help me cope with the mental load we carry, especially as rural women. We’ll dive into setting boundaries, reassessing commitments, and working together with our partners to lighten the load. It’s not about trying to do it all, but focusing on what truly matters. If you’ve ever felt like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, this episode is for you. Together, we’ll figure out how to find strength in what’s important and let go of the rest.

But it’s also made me think about what really matters. We all juggle so much—our roles as wives, mothers, and farmers—but there’s a point where we need to step back and figure out where to draw the line. How can we find the strength to manage it all without losing ourselves?

For me, it’s not about doing everything perfectly or fitting it all in—it’s about setting boundaries, letting go of what doesn’t align with my values, and working with Stephen as a team. Like so many of you, I’ve had moments where I feel guilty asking for help, especially when Stephen already has a lot on his plate. But I’ve realized we can’t carry it all alone, and sometimes, finding strength means doing less and focusing on what really matters. If you’ve ever felt like the weight of farm life, family, and everything else is too much, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

Key Points from This Episode

• Setting Boundaries: It’s crucial to define what aligns with your values and say "no" to things that stretch you too thin. Boundaries protect your time and energy, especially when you're juggling so many responsibilities.

• Delegating to Your Partner: Don’t be afraid to ask your husband for help, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. Stephen and I are a team, and it’s important to work together. When you communicate openly, it reduces stress for both of you.

• Reevaluating Priorities: Over time, our values shift. Letting go of things that no longer fit your life (like I did with my GippsDairy board work) can be hard, but it’s necessary to free up mental space.

• Focusing on What Matters Most: It’s easy to get caught up in the busy seasons of farming and motherhood, but true strength comes from focusing on the tasks that truly matter and letting go of trying to do it all.

• The Mental Load: The mental weight we carry as rural women is real, but we don’t have to carry it all by ourselves. It’s okay to ask for help and to prioritize what’s important over what feels urgent.

Resources & Links:

• Values Bundle

• Grounded Farm Wife Journal

Related Episodes

• Episode 003. My Struggle with Burnout as a Rural Farm Wife

Connect with Jessica:

• Follow me on Instagram @groundedfarmwife

• Check out my website www.groundedfarmwife.com.au

• Join my email list

Find the complete show notes ere: https://www.groundedfarmwife.com.au/podcast-1/episode-17

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