Is Rural Living a Hobby?

[Larry Caldwell]

yea, i knew that comment would generate examples exceptions, and thank goodness for the exceptions.

in the end, it don't matter although i find people with true hobby's to be interesting people.....to me.

just 1 example, i've been going to music festivals for 50 years.....90 % of the musicians are men

I've been performing in a 28 voice chamber choir for 25 years. We always have trouble finding men. The majority of the orchestra, including the concert master, are women.

 

[Cougsfan]

I guess that because of people like many of us is why they invented the term "hobby farm". I live on 47 acres out in the sticks and don't get a penny of income from my land. I enjoy the work required to maintain and improve my property. I love always having something to do, but feel no pressure to get it done in a particular time frame. I think I would enjoy rural life a lot less if I farmed for a living. I know a lot of farmers, and most have a lot more stress in their lives than I do. On the other hand, I worked 40 stressful years to be where I am now.

Life couldn't be better. Sometimes I feel guilty for being so blessed when I see others who are just as deserving but have been far less blessed.

 

[deezler]

Developing my property can definitely feel like a hobby at times, it is very fun and rewarding to dream up a new improvement project, plan it out, and execute it using my tractor and tools. Trying to build up to a proper "hobby farm", from scratch.

However, like others have said, when I feel too pressed for time, and rush things, it's much less fun. We moved into our new house on 10 acres a little over 6 years ago, and many dreamt up projects are still languishing. Working full time and raising two young kiddos while my wife tries to expand her personal business, and having a huge extended family all living locally, has sucked up almost all my free time. Now I find myself out in the garage from 9-11pm trying to chip away at deferred vehicle maintenance, or carpentry projects, and it's kinda burning me out. Working on resetting my expectations a bit and just chilling out. I also had to give up following the news and politics closely, it was stressful to me, for no good reason. Life is good, but also flying right by.

 

[ruffdog]

If I lived in town I could be doing other things instead of planting, trimming, mowing, splitting, stacking, repairing, tilling, fencing, digging, cutting, etc.

Hmm, if I lived in town I would be doing what????????????????????????

 

[PuffyC]

It's not just what you do in town, it feels different to me. We have a city place and a rural place, and I dread doing yard type work at the city place. Doing the same at the rural place is a joy. Not sure why.

 

[deezler]

It's not just what you do in town, it feels different to me. We have a city place and a rural place, and I dread doing yard type work at the city place. Doing the same at the rural place is a joy. Not sure why.

I, for one, hate the feeling of doing yard work when I think people or strangers are watching me do it. I prefer to be alone in nature, I guess. I'd rather not worry about my appearance, or where I can pee, or what words I yell when I drop a tool, or....

 

[MossRoad]

When I'm doing yard work, I wave at my neighbors and they wave back. Same when they're doing yard work.

I've been roofing a garage the last few days and some of them wave. The old ones that have passed away used to stop in to check on my progress. I miss that.

 

[shooterdon]

It will more than a hobby or lifestyle if the SHTF. It may be life itself.

 

[GeneV]

I, for one, hate the feeling of doing yard work when I think people or strangers are watching me do it. I prefer to be alone in nature, I guess. I'd rather not worry about my appearance, or where I can pee, or what words I yell when I drop a tool, or....

Well I know what you mean, I much prefer working the back of my property as opposed to the front. The critters out back don't care if I whip it out to pee. Out front, neighbors or people driving past might though.

 

[deezler]

It will more than a hobby or lifestyle if the SHTF. It may be life itself.

Yes. Part of why i feel compelled to have my hobby farm infrastructure in place asap.