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Ever had one of those weeks where everything seems to go wrong, and you’re still expected to keep showing up anyway?

This week I’m sharing a very real, very unpolished reflection on stress, overwhelm, and the pressure so many of us are carrying right now on the land. After recording this episode three times thanks to technology dramas, I decided to stop aiming for perfect and simply have an honest conversation about what helps when life feels heavy.

I talk through some of the practical tools I’ve been sharing in my recent “What the F?” sessions with farmers across Australia, including the Circle of Control, moving towards rather than away from our values, and why sometimes the most important question we can ask is: What can I do in the next five minutes?

We talk about how stress pulls us into autopilot, why tiny actions matter more than big fixes, and how giving ourselves a bit of grace can help us step out of shame spirals and back into what matters most.

This episode is a reminder that you don’t have to hold it all perfectly. You can be exhausted AND still care deeply. You can feel overwhelmed AND keep taking the next small step. If you’re carrying a lot right now, I hope this conversation helps you feel a little less alone and gives you a couple of practical anchors to come back to.

I’d love to hear what resonated with you from this episode. What’s one small thing helping you get through this season right now? Come and connect with me over on Instagram @stephschmidt.farmlifepsych

What we cover in this episode

• Steph shares the chaos of recording this episode three times
• Reflections on pressure and overwhelm in agriculture right now
• Overview of the “What the F?” online sessions
• The Circle of Control explained
• What’s in our control vs outside our control
• Focusing on the next five minutes instead of the whole season
• Practical examples from seeding, lambing and farm life
• Moving towards values instead of away from discomfort
• Stress, autopilot, and noticing unhelpful coping habits
• Small steps that reconnect us with what matters
• Giving ourselves grace when we don’t show up perfectly
• Parenting, capacity, and realistic self-compassion
• The tension between competing values and priorities
• Final reflections on stress, imperfection, and next steps

Connect with Steph

• Steph's website
• Digital Hub for Farmers: farmlifehandbook.com.au
• Steph on Facebook
• Steph on LinkedIn
• Steph on Instagram
• Steph's upcoming events

The Farm Life Psych podcast shares general information and personal reflections to support wellbeing — it isn't therapy, counselling, or personal advice, and it's not a substitute for support from a qualified professional. If something's sitting heavily with you, please reach out to your GP, a psychologist, or a trusted support service. If you're in crisis or need to talk to someone now, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. You're not alone, and reaching out is a strength.