I hope that, after reading my weekly columns, I have inspired you to make this decision; however, I do need to point out a few things before you dive in at the deep end.

Firstly, you need to think very carefully about why you want to become a smallholder. Is it the thought of running through fields of hay, the sun beating down on you, as you are followed by a menagerie of tame, friendly animals? Well, think again. Running through fields of hay might be a possibility if you have a considerably large smallholding. However, it is more likely that you will be trudging through mud-filled paddocks. Being followed by tame, friendly animals is, again, a possibility; however, the reality is probably that you will be chased at high speed by a ram with horns that could pierce the tyre on a tractor or a Shetland pony hell-bent on wrestling you to the ground in the name of fun.

Maybe you like the idea of keeping animals as pets? Absolutely, a smallholding filled with your favourite creatures is a benefit if you love animals; however, those adorable babies will quickly grow and soon be eating you out of the house. That tiny lamb you bottle-fed will be waiting at the gate to headbutt you as soon as it sees you with a bucket of feed.

Do you fancy growing your fruit and vegetables and maybe becoming self-sufficient? This all sounds amazing, but when you weigh up the cost of growing said vegetables and compare this with the price of a bag of carrots from the supermarket, you have to ask yourself why you bother.

Do you enjoy holidays and weekends away? Owning a smallholding makes these rare, unless you have someone equally dedicated to manage things—ideally without pay. In reality, the money meant for time off often ends up spent on fencing, feed, and vet bills instead.

Now that we've covered the challenges, let's focus on the advantages of living on a smallholding. The benefits, in my experience, are significant—but only if you approach this venture fully prepared and ready for unexpected situations. Having a financial cushion also makes a big difference.

Yes, there are weeks, ok, maybe months of muddy paddocks, pouring rain, hail, sleet, snow and wind, and these can, at times, make you forget you have ever set eyes on the sun, but they do pass. Each month on the smallholding brings a new problem, but it also makes you look for a solution so that hopefully, if the same problem occurs again, you are prepared for it. Every season brings something positive, be it the new life of spring, the long, heady days of summer, the slowing down of autumn, or the dramatic changes of winter.

It is crucial that you enjoy every season and enjoy being outdoors in all weathers. You cannot turn over and go back to sleep when you hear the rain lashing against the windowpane or see the snow piling up outside the back door. Animals need feeding, whatever the weather, so you'd better invest in a good set of outdoor clothing and get out there!

Again, it is all too easy to focus on the downside of bad weather, but this, too, has its share of positives. The rain fills the reservoirs, the cold germinates the seeds, the wind disperses seeds and pollen and clears the air of fog and pollutants, and the snow gives us a chance to be children again, even if only for a short period of time! The trick is not to look at things negatively but to find the positives in everything.

This isn’t always easy, and when I have been soaked to the skin numerous times in one day, when my wellies are full of water, and I look and feel as if I have been dragged through a hedge backwards a hundred times, I admit I have questioned my own life choices. Luckily for me, these feelings don’t last long, and one look in the eyes of an adorable donkey or a gentle nip from a cheeky Shetland pony makes me remember why I do what I do.

The fresh air, the outdoor life, meaningful tasks, and the love from my animals put everything in perspective. Having worked long hours in a variety of jobs, I wouldn’t trade what I have now for anything.



You can find Allison on Instagram countryliving_writer or visit her website here