You Can Love and Hate the Farm

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Cultivate Contentment

Jess Knight

41 episodes

2 days ago

Are you a rural farming woman, wife, or mother struggling to find peace in your busy life? Do you find yourself trying to squeeze joy out of your daily routine, manage stress that seems never-ending, and somehow reconnect with your passions in the midst of it all? Do you love your rural life yet often feel overwhelmed by the challenges it brings? Welcome to "Cultivate Contentment," the podcast designed just for you. I'm Jessica Knight, a fellow rural woman, wife, and mother. I get it—I've been there, right there in the trenches, juggling the demands of farm life, motherhood, and trying to keep my sanity intact. I understand the challenges you face every day. From being a first-generation dairy farmer to raising three energetic boys, I'm right there with you, navigating the ups and downs of rural life. Come along with me and my guests as we explore balancing farm life with personal needs on a realistic level, practical ways to sprinkle a little joy and peace into your daily routine, nurturing relationships without losing your sense of self, and how to keep stress at bay and prevent burnout. All while staying focused on what we really want; feeling content and settled in our lives. This is a show to delve into the heart of your daily struggles and triumphs, providing practical advice and heartfelt support to help you find peace and fulfillment in your unique journey. I know how hard it can be to juggle the responsibilities of farm life, motherhood, and personal well-being. "Cultivate Contentment" aims to be your companion and guide, offering insights and strategies that resonate with your experiences. So, whether you're savoring a cup of coffee before the morning chaos begins, stealing a moment of quiet on your drive to town, or popping in your earbuds while wrestling with laundry and dishes, I invite you to join me. Let's laugh, learn, and cultivate contentment together.

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You Can Love and Hate the Farm

Cultivate Contentment

27 minutes 33 seconds

5 months ago

You Can Love and Hate the Farm

I never thought I'd love this life as much as I do.

And I also never expected it to feel so hard.

In this episode, I open up about the emotional tug-of-war so many farm wives experience — the reality that you can love your life on the farm and still hate the parts of it that leave you feeling lonely, overlooked, and completely exhausted.

I share what life looked like for us in the early years with three boys under four, how I carried the load through drought, newborns, and endless solo parenting, and how I finally stopped pretending it was all fine.

You’ll hear honest stories about missing milestones, crying in hospital alone, resenting wet towels on the floor, and the mindset shifts that helped me stop bottling it all up.

I also talk about the little changes that made a big difference — from bundling the kids up to take dinner to the paddock, to finally having those hard conversations with my husband about what we needed as a family.

And I share the unexpected gifts in it all — the flexibility the farm actually gives us, and the privilege of being able to show up for our kids in ways not every family can.

This is a vulnerable one, but it’s real. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “Is this what I signed up for?” while still feeling proud of the life you’ve built — you’re not alone.

In this episode:

Why it’s okay to love and hate the farm at the same time
What solo parenting looked like during the early years
The emotional and financial pressure of farming life
When the resentment creeps in and how I’ve learned to name it
How I stopped pretending everything was fine
The small shifts that helped us survive busy seasons
Why asking for help isn’t weakness — it’s wisdom
How the flexibility of farm life is also a gift
A reminder that this life needs to work for your whole family

✨ You’re not doing it wrong if it feels hard. You’re just being honest.

💬 Let’s keep the conversation going: message me on Instagram and tell me what part of this episode you related to most.

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Find the complete show notes here: https://www.groundedfarmwife.com.au/podcast-1/40