We Are Saying Goodbye

After four and a half years at Green Gate Farm, Gavin and I have made a decision that will affect the rest of our lives. We are saying goodbye to the Farm. I never thought I’d be writing those words. I love our home so much. But the time has come to make life changes and move on to something new. I don’t want to leave but I know it’s the right thing to do. And change is good. I should know. I’ve moved 11 times. When we arrived here, I swore this would be the last time. I should know better than to say things like that!

Here’s why we are saying goodbye to our beloved farm.

Making life changes is scary and can be stressful. Uncertainty can lead to nights of no sleep, worry, and wondering if what you are doing is the right thing. But sometimes, you need to make a tough decision to get you where you need to be. And that is the case with us.

This year has been a hard one. I’ve struggled at work and as a result, my physical and mental health has not been the best. I’ve taken sick days because I could not face the thought of entering the workplace. I’ve cried at the sheer thought of going into that building and I am not a crier. Why? Because I took on a new role that wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. And it made me question why I was even doing this anymore.

This year, when I was at work all I thougth about was being at home with Gavin, doing things I love. I hatye to admit it but I was actually happy to catch Covid so I could have a week away. Teaching was no longer a passion and having wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl that is a big call.

So, I am the catalyst of this massive change in our lives. Just like I was when we moved home from WA. I am the one on both occasions who said I would never leave. But when push comes to shove, my body has been telling me all year I need to change something.

So why are we leaving this peace of paradise we love so much? Why are we leaving our animals (maybe)? Why can’t I just quit work and live the rest of the days on the rolling hills?

I’m not old enough! We have savings. We’ve planned ahead. And Gavin is already accessing his portion. But if I quit my job and we have no income other than that, we will be in dire straits in a very short time! Yes, we have the farm business we started to build but it is not enough to sustain us yet. It probably won’t be for a year or two. And frankly, I can’t wait that long. I don’t want to. I want to enjoy my life, not dread every day.

Another reason we are moving is our desire to travel. There’s a good portion of the world we have never seen. And without children living plane rides away, travel is essential. If we want to visit them, we would have to find someone to look after the farm. Stepping away from all this, even for a short time is hard.

Our third reason for the move is quality of life. While Gavin loves to be outside in the garden, he gets lonely with no one to talk to. He doesn’t want acres of garden to tend. We want enough to continue to grow our own food, have pretty flowers, and potter around. He wants to socialize over a game of golf whenever he feels like it. We want to entertain our friends more.

Of course, moving means our cows will have to go and that was my sticking point. I cannot imagine selling them. They’re such amazing gentle creatures.

Our story has a happy ending though. It’s not actually goodbye. It’s a change of direction. Yes, we are putting the farm up for sale. The release of equity will mean I can quit work and we’ll have plenty to live on until we can access our superannuation. It also means we will have a nice nest egg to add to our retirement stash.

Selling will give us a new house to renovate and breathe life into. That’s like a creative outlet for us. (an expensive one)

Yes, the cows will go but they will be living with Coco and Pandora, their children, on a 200-acre farm where we can see them all the time and feed them apples. We can start a smaller garden and travel when we want. I can build and create more content I love and feel excited when I share it with you. Maybe I’ll even go back to writing. Maybe I’ll become a Youtuber (haha). Who knows.

Change is good. It’s not goodbye, it’s a step in a new direction. I know the family who buys our farm will love the life we’ve created for them. I just hope they appreciate this rare price of paradise we are gifting them and care for it and love it. I would hate to think our work goes unappreciated and that new owner will rip it apart.

We are to become part of the history of the farm. We have left our mark on her walls and in her garden. We have loved and brought this house back from the dead. And because I am deeply affected by places and because we have created so many memories here, I WILL cry the day we leave. That IS a given.