People who get into homesteading all have a few traits in common, one of those seems to be that they are driven individuals. Regardless of their personality types, they have big plans and they aim to achieve them.

Sometimes, we get so caught up in our big plans and what we hope to achieve that we lose sight of our own limitations.

I, Jessie am the weakest link in this issue for my family. I’m disabled and there is so much more that I want to do than I can do. I often lose sight of my lack of ability and push myself too hard, resulting in days or weeks of time lost recuperating.

We know that everyone tells you to know your physical and mental limitations. Yes, it probably sucks to hear it again from yet another blogger. Still, the truth is that knowing your limitations is extremely important when you are living on the homestead. It can be the difference between life and death.

There are so many ways to learn your limitations but people don’t talk about this. They just expect you to know them. That takes time and a lot of work.

First, you must recognize the signs that you are nearing your limits. These often involve:

• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Putting up Your Guard
• Feeling Out of Control

There may be other signs as well. You’ll have to be mindful to keep an eye out for them.

Once you have recognized the signs that you are nearing your limits, you should figure out what you are going to do about it. For example, I’m terrible about asking for help but that is exactly what I need to do much of the time. Sometimes the answer is to take a break and walk away for a bit. Sometimes it is that you need to talk it out with someone you trust. There are many solutions to this problem, depending on the exact details that led to it.

There are also many ways to deal with it daily that make it easier to deal with. Some folks chose to journal, blog, or vlog about their experiences. Some chose to see a counselor or join a social support group. Others just choose to chat with a close friend or family member that they trust.

Finding strategies to deal with stress can also help. Yoga, meditation, journaling, hiking, walking, horseback riding, swimming, exercise, gardening, or enjoyable hobbies can be relaxing activities for many people and they can help alleviate stress.

For homesteaders, having a reliable farm-sitter is a major stress-reducer. They are worth their weight in gold.  Take your time to find the right person and pay them well for their work. Take breaks when you need them, even if just for a weekend in town and get a well-deserved break.

How have you learned what your limits are? How do you deal with them?