From the editor

The problem with being the editor of NZ Lifestyle Block, is most people assume my block looks something like our idyllic cover image.

There is a lot of be grateful for. A beautiful piece of land, down a quiet road, near to (but far from) a big city. Trees, lots of grass, my goats, an old pony, an old horse, and the screaming ( yet somehow loveable) geese. There’s my small, self-built (not very smart) house, my dogs, privacy, peace.

However, the reason I would feel squirmy if you came to visit is it’s not perfect. By any means. It’s a bit of a mess. Not hoarder mess. Just... mess.

A fence by the front gate is wonky after the ride-on mower and I had an argument with it. I’m not very persuasive, but the ride-on mower always wins.

The grass beyond that is only half-mowed because I know there are lengths of timber in it... somewhere.

There’s a plastic trough in the drain, marking where some wire is tightly entwined in the long grass (the ride-on mower wins again).

The pump shed still isn’t painted, 17 years after I first thought, ‘I should paint the pump shed’. At this stage, you’re only halfway up the drive. The list goes on. And on. It was a shock to discover that messy, disorganised me is a perfectionist. I want things to be perfect, and they’re not, so I feel like a complete failure. It’s very, very tiring.

Your block might be organised, pruned and highly productive, as per your master plan. It might be a rambling wilderness, as per no plan. I hope you know (I’m still learning) that acceptance of whatever you have is much better than suffering, as perfectionists always do. Try a little step. If it’s overwhelming, halve it. PS I went on a treasure hunt. The timber is now out of the grass and neatly stacked. Not one step, but 480, three trips up the driveway and back. A good, imperfect day.