In this episode of Cultivate Contentment, I continue exploring the experience of change and focus on what happens after you’ve taken that brave first step but haven’t yet arrived at where you want to be. This stage—the in-between, often called the liminal space—can be incredibly challenging. It’s that place where you’ve left behind the familiar, but the future isn’t fully clear yet. As rural women, farmwives, and mothers, we often find ourselves here, navigating new roles and letting go of old routines that have been ingrained in us for years. This space can feel disorienting and uncomfortable, but it’s also a time for growth and transformation.

Drawing from my own personal experiences and using agricultural metaphors that feel so familiar to life on the farm, I share how this liminal space can lead to powerful growth, even though it may feel uncertain. It’s a lot like planting a crop—you’ve done the work, you’ve planted the seeds, and now you need to nurture them and trust that growth will happen, even if you can’t see the results yet. In this episode, I’m offering practical advice on how to stay patient and trust the process, even when it’s tempting to slip back into old habits.

• Understanding the Liminal Space This in-between phase is a transitional period where you’re no longer in the old, but you’re not quite in the new either. I talk about how I’ve experienced this in my own life and how it often feels unsettling and uncomfortable. Recognizing that this is a natural part of any change can help us embrace it, rather than resist it. It’s like standing on a bridge between two places—you’re on your way, but you’re not quite there yet.

• The Importance of Gradual, Incremental Changes Change doesn’t happen overnight, and trying to force it can often leave us feeling overwhelmed. In this episode, I share how I’ve learned to make slow, incremental changes in my own life to help ease the discomfort of the liminal space. It’s about taking one step at a time, without trying to do too much at once. These small, manageable shifts can create lasting change without feeling like you’ve taken on too much.

• Trusting the Process, Much Like Tending to a Crop On the farm, we know that you don’t see the results of your work right away. After planting, it takes time for crops to grow, and you need to trust that all the nurturing and care will pay off. I apply that same mindset to navigating this liminal space. Even when you can’t see the progress, trust that growth is happening beneath the surface. It’s all part of the process, and having faith in that can help you keep moving forward.

• Resisting the Urge to Revert Back to Familiar Routines When things get uncomfortable, it’s natural to want to go back to what’s familiar, even if that old routine or role wasn’t serving you. I’ve been there myself, and in this episode, I discuss how to resist the urge to revert back to old habits. Instead, I encourage you to stay the course and trust that this discomfort is part of the growth process. It’s hard, but staying committed to the change you’ve started is so important.

• Embracing the Liminal Space as a Time for Reflection and Growth Though the liminal space is filled with uncertainty, it’s also a time for deep reflection and personal growth. I talk about how this period, though difficult, can be one of the most transformative if you allow yourself to sit in the discomfort and reflect on where you’re going. Much like how we tend to our crops, we need to tend to our inner growth and trust that, in time, the fruits of our labor will emerge.

Resources & Links:

Values Bundle

Grounded Farm Wife Journal

Episode 17: Can I Keep Carrying It All? Finding Strength in Doing What Matters Most

Episode 18: When Change Feels Hard and Uncomfortable in Rural Life Part 1

Connect with Jessica:

Follow me on Instagram@groundedfarmwife

Check out my websitewww.groundedfarmwife.com.au

Find the complete show notes here: https://www.groundedfarmwife.com.au/podcast-1/19

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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