I’m about to make a pretty revolutionary claim, so if you’re not already sitting down as you read this, you might want to pull up a chair and sit down.
Humans of all civilizations have pondered and debated this question for thousands of years, with no definitive answer. But a few nights ago, in a moment of absolute clarity, I solved the age-old question: “What is the meaning of life?” Yes, it’s me, a middle-aged peasant farmer from Wrexham. Put that on your moussaka, Aristotle, and eat it.
See also: Farm Doctor: How to spot the signs of poor mental health
About the Author
Will Evans
Farmers Weekly Opinion Writer
Will Evans works with his wife and parents, farming beef cattle and arable crops on 200 hectares of land near Wrexham in North Wales.
No doubt media outlets around the world will be keen to speak to me about this so I would like to direct all enquiries to my current agent, Mrs Evans, but be warned she will be a tough negotiator.
As a person
Before I explain, I want to explain why I started thinking about this question in the first place: I’ve actually not been feeling too great mentally for a while now.
It wasn’t any one event that caused this, but rather a steady accumulation of events that led to me feeling overwhelmed and exhausted by life.
As we all know, farming is not an easy situation at the moment and we are worried about how we will get through it.
Extreme weather, high interest rates, record inflation, labor shortages, sluggish grain prices, pointless bureaucracy, clumsy and ill-thought-out policies — these aren’t good reasons to sleep.
I worry about the future of our community and no matter how hard I try to tell myself not to worry about things I can’t control, it weighs heavy on my mind.
Add to that the perpetual challenge of balancing farming and family life, and the nagging feeling that you’re doing it all wrong.
You may think you’re doing your best, but is it enough? Perhaps a bolder change is needed.
Lately, I’ve been feeling like I have too much on my plate and am constantly letting someone down, and from previous experiences I know that’s not a good situation.
Social Reboot
The difference from when I felt this way before is that I am aware of it and am actively working to improve the situation.
I’m sure I’ll be back at full speed again soon – I’ve just spent the bank holiday weekend camping with some of my best friends from Harper Adams and their families at our house, and I already feel a bit lighter.
This is an annual tradition where we take turns meeting at each other’s houses, and this year it was our turn again.
With 10 adults and countless children and teenagers, there is bound to be some organized chaos, but that’s farming as usual and we all work together.
But in the midst of all the bustling activity and festivities, some important conversations were held that helped me see things a little more clearly.
Nothing particularly enlightening or profound, just close friends sharing each other’s problems, offering a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on.
Late on my last night, I was purposely sitting by the campfire, beer in hand, music playing, watching and listening to everyone laughing and having fun, when a great philosophical epiphany came to me.
I smiled because this is what life is all about – moments like these – recognizing them, being present in them, seizing them for all their value.