Think You Have a Pathetic Life? Here's How I Fixed Mine

Discover how understanding Nature’s principles can transform your life, one simple step at a time.

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Dear friend,

I know nothing about your life.

But I know that most of us struggle at some point in life—some early on, most later—when family life peaks and business asks for your full attention.

And suddenly you realize:

My Life Isn't Working

It hit me on a Monday morning.

I was sitting at my desk, staring at yet another to-do list. Here it was again. That bloody hamster. For months, I felt like a hamster running endlessly on a wheel. My business was growing, sure. But at what cost? The realization hit me in the face. At the expense of my health, relationships, and happiness. I was burned out, running on fumes, and wondering if this was all life had to offer.

That’s when an inconvenient question popped into my head:

What if I’m living in opposition to how things are meant to be?

The answer led me to a journey I never expected. It was a journey toward understanding Nature, its principles, and how they apply to life.

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From Burnout to Breakthrough

Walking away from my old life wasn’t easy. Letting go of the identity I’d built as a business owner felt like standing on the edge of a cliff. And you can bet on that: I felt terrified to jump.

But I knew something had to change.

I took a step back and began exploring different paths. But eventually, I remembered what I already learned years ago. Permaculture. What if these simple principles would work not only to design a garden? But also a life?

At first, everybody thinks it is just about gardening. But the more I studied the principles, the more I realized it’s a philosophy. A framework that connects us to the world around us and, ultimately, to ourselves.

Did the founders of permaculture have this kind of use in mind? I don't know for sure.

But I realized that permaculture isn’t only about plants. Or homesteads. It’s about understanding the cycles of life, energy, and growth. And applying those same principles, you can create balance in every area of life.

What is Permaculture (and Why It’s Not Just Gardening)?

Permaculture often gets reduced to a buzzword about eco-friendly landscaping. But it’s so much deeper than that.

Permaculture is, at its core, a design system. It is based on observing and working with natural systems, not against them. It’s about using what’s already available. Soil, water, sunlight, and space.

Finding ways to enhance these elements will prevent depleting the ecosystem you've built.

In life, this means identifying what already works for you and building upon it. Instead of trying to force success through sheer willpower. And frustration.

Think of it like this: in a forest, no one is rushing the trees to grow faster. But each tree thrives on its own. Creating an ecosystem around its roots that sustains itself. What if you could design your life to work the same easy way?

A Blueprint for a Better Life

A key lesson from permaculture is that everything operates in cycles.

• Growth and rest.

• Chaos and order.

• Input and output.

When I started applying these principles to my life, things began to shift. Instead of hustling 24/7, I built rest into my routine. I learned to appreciate downtime and to set boundaries. They're essential for life like creativity and productivity. Like you and I breathing air.

Nature doesn’t produce endless output without input. Crops don’t grow without seasons of dormancy. And neither can we. By honoring the cycles in my own life, I found a new rhythm—one that is sustainable and satisfying.

Why Clarity is Your First Step Towards a Life of Meaning

Before you can change your life, you need to understand your why.

In permaculture, every design starts with observation. You can’t grow a thriving garden if you don’t know where the sun hits or where water collects. The same applies to your life.

Ask yourself:

• What’s working for me right now?

• What’s draining my energy?

• What kind of life do I truly want to create?

I found clarity when I realized I was chasing success for validation, not fulfillment. Once I found my deeper why, I could let go of the things that weren't serving me. I wanted to feel connected to something bigger than myself.

Add Nature Without Overthinking It

Here’s the good news.

🏡 The FARMISH Mindset newsletter is a subscription-based publication. The article you read is fully available only for paid subscribers.

With only two clicks, you can upgrade your subscription and gain access to my exclusive newsletter, which is sent directly to your mailbox. Insights you’ll not find anywhere else. That will help you to become the best version of yourself. With Nature as your strongest ally. 🏡