Farmhouse Storyteller Collective
Returning to living life in the country has been a transformative journey for me, one that has allowed me to rediscover my roots and ultimately find a sense of self-restoration. After spending years chasing the prescribed life, I began to feel restlessness within me. In a span of a year and a half, I left my job teaching, welcomed our third child, and traded in our new build home in suburbia for an 1837 fixer-upper farmhouse in the country.
Having grown up in an 1850’s farmhouse, I found a sense of comfort in our new old farmhouse. The familiarity of this early American home was a symbol of resilience, with its sturdy walls and timeless charm which I wasn’t aware of longing for but quickly found comfort in. A few years in to living in the country I realized our home reflected my own journey towards restoration.
The process of restoring the farmhouse became a metaphor for my own personal growth. With each day that passed, I found comfort in the familiarity of life in the country as well as the new things to try and explore. In a way, I found myself simultaneously healing and transforming. From working in the garden, to each coat of paint applied, living in the farmhouse brought me closer to a renewed sense of purpose and authenticity.
But my restoration journey did not end with the farmhouse itself. I realized that my experiences and the wisdom gained from reconnecting with living in the country could be a powerful tool to help others live their best lives. I saw the potential to create somewhat of a haven where people could retreat easily within their day, away from the chaos of modern life, and rediscover their own sense of self.
Thus, I decided to create Farmhouse Storyteller Collective—a place where individuals can connect to the countryside through stories shared on Farmhouse Storyteller Journal, Grounded in the Middle Podcast, and daily on social media. The collective is an opportunity for individuals to connect with the country living and fosters self-reflection and personal growth. From stories of successful new beginnings to humbling moments of defeat, there are countless opportunities for individuals to take hold of the reins and tap in their own passions, rediscover their values, and become rooted in living their best life.
I aim to guide and inspire others to embark on their own journeys of self-restoration in whatever “middle” they may find themselves in. I believe that by reconnecting with our roots, embracing simplicity, and nurturing our well-being, we can find a profound sense of fulfillment and purpose. It is my hope by extending the front porch virtually, people can recalibrate their lives and embrace a more authentic and meaningful life.
My return to the country has not only led to my personal self-restoration but has also become a vehicle for helping others find their own path towards living their best life. By sharing my experiences and the transformative power of country living, I hope to create a ripple effect, where individuals can rediscover their inner essence, restore their own lives, and, in turn, inspire positive change in their community.
About the Collective
Over time, Farmhouse Storyteller became a collective and has evolved into a multifaceted platform, expanding its reach and offerings to inspire others in their journey towards living their best life.
As I shared the history of the farmhouse restoration, its history and the lessons learned along the way, I realized the power of storytelling in connecting with others and igniting their own passions. This realization led to the creation of the Farmhouse Storyteller Journal, an online publication where authentic narratives and practical tips for living a more meaningful life are shared with readers. The journal is meant to be a source of inspiration, guiding individuals on their own paths towards self-discovery and personal growth.
Building on the success of the journal, I recognized the potential of audio storytelling as a powerful medium to engage and connect with a wider audience as well as connect listeners. Thus, the Grounded in the Middle Podcast was born. Every Monday I welcome listeners to the virtual front porch of our farmhouse as a platform to share stories and lessons of life in the country as well as other’s personal stories that inspire, challenge, and encouraged listeners to live authentically and pursue their passions.
Wanting to expand the reach off the virtual front porch, the Farmhouse Storyteller Collective recently began offering speaking engagements where personal stories, insights, and the wisdom gained from my own journey are shared with participants. These engagements are aimed to inspire audiences to find their own paths towards living their best lives, offering practical tools, and empowering individuals to embrace their authenticity and pursue their dreams.
By offering diverse platforms for storytelling and personal connection, it is my hope to create a ripple effect of positive change, helping individuals rediscover their true selves, embrace their passions, and live authentically. The Farmhouse Storyteller Collective is dedicated to being a beacon of inspiration and a supportive community, encouraging others to find their own unique path towards living their best life.
The evolution of the Farmhouse Storyteller Collective has been a journey of constant adaptation and growth. What started as solely a home restoration project transformed into a movement that encompasses a journal, a podcast, and speaking engagements. With each expansion, my aim remains the same: to inspire and guide others in their pursuit of a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
If you would like to see what life is like “in the middle,” you can follow me on Instagram and Facebook, and listen in to my weekly podcast Grounded in the Middle. I am sure we will find some common ground together somewhere in the middle.
xo,
