08/11/2026
Musings on motivation and energy and August.... Or lack thereof.
August, also known and Slog-ust in the farming community, is hard, this one feels particularly so.
The never ending hustle, plus the smoke, the grief for a loved one gone, the compassion for those that have lost their farms, homes and more in the fires across the province and country, all feels overwhelmingly heavy.
The smoke in this image is, I know, nothing compared to what others are dealing with. But working in it hours and days on end takes a toll nonetheless. The plants also don't like it either; though it helps keep temps down, it also limits sunlight and coats plants with fine particulates and it feels like a lot of things are growing slower than they might usually. I should probably take off all our shade cloths.
Trying to push through this time of year is hard. Dragging oneself out of bed and stumbling to the coffee machine for one, two, three coffees, looking at the list of things that need doing with varying degrees of urgency and not wanting to do any of it.
Dreading being out in the smoke all day, choosing between the lethargy, congestion and headaches, or the uncomfortable, smothering feeling of wearing a mask.
Trying to keep a smile on your face, trying to remember that we chose this because we do love it. Even in the worst times, it's better than sitting in an office staring at a computer, right? Right? Is that still true?
Fellow farmers, keep at it! We're in it together, venting about the reality of it helps too, right?! It's not always like this, but when it is, it really is.
Motivation is needed: who has some tips?? How do you push through August??
