It's all about balance.
Is forsaking financial security for a life you love worth loving?
I envy those who can profit off their life calling and true love.
I certainly haven't figured how to profit off truly humanely raised pigs. In our commercial market I think it is insanely difficult to do especially starting from scratch.
This week I passed a sign for a jewelry store that said "compromise on everything but the ring"
It's one extreme of the other!
My dream is to be the first generation of a family farm. Come on partner...where are you?!
OK, here is my opinion. Forsaking financial security to live the life you love is fine....on a temporary basis. I traveled around Europe for the better part of a year living off savings and picking up odd jobs in my 20's. It was a dream I had to do that and I made it happen. But I could not have done it for a lifetime -- at some point security and establishing yourself so you're not living in poverty by middle or old age becomes important. I don't think the dream of a family farm is a pipe dream at all, and I think you will make this happen AND be financially wise about it and therefore secure. Sometimes people have to do things don't necessarily love to do ( i.e. work a day job in town, even part time) to help protect their dream -- that farm -- and keep it alive. I know before I left for Europe I did about a year's worth of 60 - 70 hour work weeks, to ensure I had enough money to travel and to find a place to live, eat, etc. once I came home. It's all about planning and about loving yourself enough to ensure you have a roof over your head in 10 or 20 years. But I know you're already wise enough to know that, and so I know when your dream finally happens, it will be a forever one. You will see to that.
ReplyDeletehttp://goodfoodjobs.com/
ReplyDeleteCame across this site and thought it might interest you.
When I was young I went to school for an art degree and probably sounded a lot like JW when I crowed, “I’ll NEVER have an office job!”
ReplyDeleteFlash forward a bunch of years and I found myself divorced with 2 kids. At that point it was all about financial security. Art went on the back burner. If I ever felt sad about my office job I’d think, “That’s what hobbies are for.” I live for evenings after work, weekends and time off when I can do things to feed my soul.
And you know what? I am truly happy and feel that I live a very balanced life.
I have a 401k, great health insurance, and get a bonus every year. Starting in 2016 I’ll have 17 days of vacation. I am able to sleep at night not having to worry about if I can pay my bills.
So technically I totally gave up on my dream—I failed.
But I think the key is still staying active with what you’re passionate about in your free time.
The other key is finding employment that won’t suck the life out of you. Where there is little to no overtime and you can have your weekends 100% work-free.
I do envy people who are passionate and brave enough to follow their dream life (that’s what drew me to JW’s blog years ago…ugh what a joke that turned out to be). But I’m happy at where I’m at now.
Wishing you happiness and fulfillment in everything you choose to do!
Perhaps you are very fortunate that you've identified a passion. I'm not sure I ever had a passion for anything in particular as a young woman. I have hobbies, but nothing I would want to do full time. I worked in finance, mostly because I had a good head for numbers, and couldn't really think of anything else to do. I'm not that creative, LOL.
ReplyDeleteIn general, I think any venture, whether it be a farm, a family or running a business, is so much easier with a partner. Best of luck!