Despite reading numerous publications on the importance of taking a holiday, and the subsequent benefits for a farmer’s mental health and general wellbeing, I feel that someone needs to poke their head over the parapet and state the case for staying at home.

Some of the commentators are writing as part of their nine-to-five jobs. Others (from a farming background) may have employees to keep the farm operating as normal, and to put it bluntly, they have no idea what is happening on individual farms, so are in no position to lecture anyone on what is best for that person’s overall welfare and happiness.

Returned

I’ve recently returned from my annual break, (nine days of walking in the Derbyshire Peak District) and I’ll admit that it was one of the best holidays I can remember.

But the crux of the issue is that it has taken me all of a decade to work this farm business into a position whereby I can slip away for 10 days without an overall negative effect on my mental health.

And if that statement sounds a bit crazy, I discussed this matter with several farming friends, and they all knew exactly what I was talking about.

Growing up

When the children were growing up, I had heavier work commitments to contend with, and part of this involved a bit of contracting (this has been significantly reduced in recent times).

In addition, I would have allowed myself a short interval to get the poultry houses turned round between crops, and then tried to squeeze a holiday into the equation.

I recall successive years when the workload pre-holiday was nearly impossible, and this merely served to create a small window of opportunity before more work piled up ominously during the next week.

I’ve heard it referred to as the ‘post-holiday blues’, but however you want to call it, I have really struggled with that changeover

In all honesty, it wasn’t getting caught up again that was the problem – it was the transition from complete relaxation to blasting along at full throttle. I’ve heard it referred to as the ‘post-holiday blues’, but however you want to call it, I have really struggled with that changeover, beginning on the vacation’s penultimate day, until nearly a week after returning.

I had a wee touch of it this year too, but not as badly as I used to.

Difference

Having a bit less work on my plate has made a huge difference in two ways. Firstly, things are not manic before leaving, and getting all the livestock tasks completed lets you head off with a pleasantly satisfied feeling.

Secondly (and most importantly), not having a mountain of stuff piled up when you return is vital. Less than two days after coming home, all the urgent boxes had been ticked. Maybe it’s just me, but trying to play catch-up with farming duties is no fun at all.

There are farmers who couldn’t contemplate life without regular holidays, but equally, there are busy farming families who, for a variety of reasons, are unable to free up the time for a break

Therefore, I would urge everyone to pause for a moment before pontificating on the necessity of taking an annual break. There are farmers who couldn’t contemplate life without regular holidays, but equally, there are busy farming families who, for a variety of reasons, are unable to free up the time for a break.

And let’s not forget those lucky farmers who are ‘as happy as Larry’ pottering around their farms every day of their lives. After all, a lot of us were drawn into agriculture by one primary emotion – the love of farming.

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