I’m on two weeks’ holiday from my off-farm job at the moment and so have been upgraded from part-time to full-time farmer. It’s been insightful to put it mildly.

The first major change I noticed was that I was more relaxed in the mornings. Between getting youngsters ready for school and crèche, making sandwiches, and packing school bags, our house is a little manic on regular weekday mornings. I can work flexi-time in the office, but strolling in at 10am would certainly be frowned upon. So, it’s usually a rush to get everyone ready and out the door as quick as possible.

The farm on the other hand is much more accommodating than the office when it comes to starting times.

The sheep and lambs won’t tut-tut whatever what hour I roll up with their grub – they’re just happy to see me. And there’s a lot more time for tea breaks being your own boss too.

You definitely enjoy your dinner more after a farm day compared with an office day

Another big change I noticed is that I’m more physically tired. My off-farm job is in an office so I spend a considerable amount of time sitting down. I wouldn’t call it intense work, but it can be mentally tiring. On the farm however, you’re a lot more active and so build up a much healthier appetite. You definitely enjoy your dinner more after a farm day compared with an office day. You might be physically drained, but the exhausted body recovers faster than the exhausted mind.

Biggest difference

Probably the biggest difference I’ve noticed is the sense of satisfaction you get when you have something tangible to show after a day’s work. Whether it’s a broken water trough that’s now mended or proper fencing where a furze bush and a hawthorn branch were shoved previously, you can stand back and admire your labour. It’s a lot harder to see comparable achievements in the office job.

Now I just need to get out of the habit of taking pictures of these efforts and posting them on social media.

Farming might give you plenty time to think and plan, but can also isolate you if you’re not careful

It’s back to reality next week, when I’ll be back in the office four days a week. The financial commitments myself and herself have at the moment mean full-time farming is not an option and won’t be any time soon. The social side of the off-farm job is also something that I wouldn’t have noticed before these two weeks. Farming can be solitary enough at times. It might give you plenty time to think and plan, but can also isolate you if you’re not careful.

Social media is helpful and it’s obvious why so many farmers are on Twitter, Facebook, and the like. However, nothing compares with a cup of tea and a real chat. It’s something we all need to keep in mind during these darker evenings when some of our neighbours could do with a visit. That’s something we can all do – whether we’re a full-time farmer, part-time wannabe, or any other type of rural dweller.

Kieran Sullivan and his brother farm part-time in Co Waterford. You can follow him on Twitter: @kieran_sullivan and read more from him here.