About



Welcome!
I'm Miriam, 44 years old, and I live on a hobby ranch in beautiful British Columbia in Canada. I'm German by birth but Canadian by choice. 
I started this blog on a whim 10 years ago, with no plan on what it would be about. My focus has since evolved into writing about how to create a happy life despite the fear.
I should know: Being cursed with both a fearful yet rebellious nature, I've had to fight these two opposing character traits my entire life: Do I want to unhappily conform, or happily (yet scared to death) go my own way?

I've tried both paths, and let me tell you, I have found that if I do what my heart tells me to, I end up a gazillion time happier.
However, choosing that path has never been easy: It meant dropping out of college and moving halfway across the world, because I fell head over heels in love with a man whom I knew for about 5 minutes.
Did I mention that he was a father of 4, and 25 years older than me?
To everybody's surprise, it worked out, and we have been married for 18 years.

Choosing that path also meant making the decision not to have kids of my own, which was much more controversial to some people than it should have been.

Six years ago I left a secure job to fulfill our lifelong dream of living in the wilderness of Canada.
Well, as much as a place can be considered 'wild' when it's only a 15-minute drive away from the next WalMart. But we do have coyotes and bobcats in our backyard, and there are real cowboys living in our neighbourhood. I had no idea if and when I would find a job, but 6 weeks after the move I was hired at the local rural hospital. I've since expanded my job into being a travelling x-ray technologist, working regularly at 4 different sites. I love the variety, and I share my commute with wild horses, mountain sheep, deer and bald eagles - it's incredible! It also allows me to follow my passion: writing. I've written a memoir about our love story, and my second book Quit the Hustle is about breaking free from the hustle lifestyle. My latest book Everything is Broken and Completely Fine is about my mental illness, quitting alcohol, and living through unprecedented times. 


10 facts about me:

1. My secret power is estimating time. I have a knack for estimating down to the minute how long it will take to get to a destination. Even if I have never made that journey before, I seem to have an instinct for knowing when to leave in order to make it on time. It's a weird talent to have, but it comes in handy.
2. I'm sober. I quit drinking on December 31, 2021 because it severely affected my mental health. It's one of the best and most life-changing things I've ever done. 
3. My husband has Lyme Disease. Like most patients, it took a while before it was diagnosed, and he went through hell before we figured out what he has. To learn more about this mystery disease, click here.
4. I've had depression since I was a teenager, but didn't seek help until I was 33. I also have PMDD, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, which is PMS on steroids.
5. I was a lumberjack for 6 months and learnt how to cut down trees with a chainsaw.
6. Taylor Tomlinson is my spirit animal. Not only is she hilarious, but the work she does highlighting mental health issues, especially bipolar disorder, is incredibly important and done exceptionally well. I love her so much. 
7. I'm an enneagram 4 and an INFJ
8. I'm an introvert, but didn't realize that until I was 34 years old. Have I mentioned that I'm also a late bloomer?
9. English is my second language. I was born and grew up in Germany, and moved to Canada when I was 23.
10. I wrote 3 books! My memoir Let's Pretend This Is Normal is about how heartbreak led me to Canada and the love of my life, a man 25 years older than me and the father of four. Quit the Hustle is about our society's unhealthy obsession with the hustle, and how letting go of the need to improve everything about ourselves will liberate us. In my latest book Everything is Broken and Completely Fine I share what it's like to live with mental illness, my history with self-medicating with alcohol, and my experience of working as a healthcare worker through the pandemic. 



Writing is my passion. Like Joan Didion said: "I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking, what I'm looking at, what I see and what it means. What I want and what I fear." 
That's why I write. Without it I can't make sense of the mess in my head that's my thoughts, and their sheer volume overwhelms me. By writing it down I process it and start seeing patterns and solutions.  

If you want to read more of my writing, check out my Portfolio page or my books
Still don't have enough? Subscribe to my occasional newsletter, where I share how to feel wildly alive!

Thanks for reading!


Share:

21 comments

  1. Hello Miriam!!
    Thank you so much for swinging by my blog and for your lovely comment - I really appreciate it.

    You're dog is gorgeous, I'm sooo incredibly jealous that you live on a farm and the story about you and your husband was a lovely read.

    I too look forward to exploring more of your corner of the internet.

    Best wishes,
    Danielle.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank YOU for visiting me!
      Gosh I really love this blogging business, it's the perfect mix between the real and virtual world.

      So excited for new blogging pals like you!

      Delete
  2. Miriam! thanks for the very sweet comment you left on my blog! It's wonderful when you hear that someone agrees with your view points on things, and it was super encouraging to read!

    I'm glad I found your blog! I have always been interested in the lifestyles of the people who own hobby farms, living in rural Minnesota I always drive past these place and my imagination goes crazy wondering about how people staying there lead their daily lives! I can't wait to dive into your blog and read more about your way of living!

    p.s. I love that yellow striped shirt you're wearing in these pics (:

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Devin!
      You sound a lot like I did at 21,it's crazy! Can't wait to see where your journey will lead you... keep me/us posted!
      The blogging world is like reality TV except realer (is that a word?) - I love it.

      P.S. That sweater is from Old Navy :-)

      Delete
  3. Hello Miriam

    I found you via the lovely Danielle (underland to wonderland). I'm loving what I have read so far! Can't wait to read more! Also, love your native country and can't wait to visit there again!

    Much love

    Vee x

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow you have such an interesting story! You seem to have a really unique blog & I'm excited to read more!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Just started following! I love finding unique stories like yours, and living on a farm had me sold. Not to mention my husband is 18 years older than me, so I try to sick me my old soul sistas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Christina, I'm just back from visiting your lovely blog, I'm following you too! Your minivan announcement is so cute and original, I got goose bumps. Plus I LOVE your tattoo!
      It's always wonderful to meet new people you have something in common with, especially other unique couples.
      Thanks for finding me!

      Delete
  6. Just found your blog and I must say I am hooked! Such an interesting and unique space! Subscribing and looking forward to discovering more.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What is it with Canadians and their persuasive selves? My husband did exactly the same, except that he stole my seat on a train in the UK. How frustrating. I still haven't forgiven him.

    Hannah

    ReplyDelete
  8. So nice to meet you!
    Just found your blog!
    I am now following.
    looking forward to keeping up.

    xo
    Christina
    christinawhoblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. First and foremost, I am so glad you found me! Funny how that happens right and I don't think it has anything to do with the luck of the draw or coincidence :). We are indeed the same age and as your peer let me just chime in about the gray hair. Let it grow in!!! I fully intend to. This may sound wonky, but I really can't help by feeling found of my gray hairs. I've earned them. Anyways, love your love story. D is older than I am as well (only by 7 years though). Love is love at any age. And as I always say, no risk, no reward. I'm really looking forward to getting to know you and I'll be reading along here. XO, Shannon

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow just came across your blog thanks to Blogtober! I have a big age gap relationship too so I am all for the many reasons why they are wonderful! x

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Miriam,
    I found your blog recently and now I am hooked, stopping by every couple of days to see what is new. I poked around in your archives, trying to pace myself to not read through all the good stuff in one go (which is totally possible, ending in me getting no sleep at all and being cranky the following day. Beware of that.). Canada seems to really suit you, and I am so happy for you that you found your place in life.
    You are an inspiration to me, and not only for getting back into my yoga routine. I always tell people that I am an eternal optimist as well, I just need to be reminded of my beliefs from time to time. Also, the similarities popping up here and there put a smile on my face – I should send you a picture of my horse.
    So thank you for putting so much work into your blog and baring your heart and soul to the world and me to read and find encouragement (and entertainment. I really like your writing style and how your topics range from deeply philosophical to life essentials – shoes.)

    Keep up the good work.
    Bettina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Bettina, I never quite know how to express adequately how much comments like yours mean to me. I will try anyway: Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU so very much for your kind words! Receiving such great feedback makes me happier than I know how to properly put into words. I love when people like what I write, and I hope I can continue to inspire and entertain.
      Thanks, and have a wonderful weekend!
      Big hug. xoxo

      Delete
  12. Your first book, wow, Miriam, wow wow wow. What an exhilarating experience that must have been for you. I am seriously going over to Amazon after this, to investigate it :) and while I have not personally undergone depression, this year has been a particularly tough one for me, both in terms of my health as well as that of my family. Yes, depression being one of the diagnosed conditions. Our rollercoaster world hasn't quite completely levelled off but we're getting there. Thank you for sharing all that you do, Miriam. It makes such a difference when you realise you're not alone xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Sheela, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your wonderful and kind words! Comments like yours are so precious to me, and one of the best parts of blogging.

      I write about the things that made me feel different, isolated, and alone for way too long, to let others out there know that they are NOT alone. I'm so happy when I know that my stories might help someone else in a small way!

      Thank you for taking the time to brighten my day with your words! ♥

      Delete
  13. I must say I'm very envious of you living in Canada! My husband and I have visited twice and my absolute favourite place was BC - it's so gorgeous there! My husband favours Alberta for obvious reasons but one day we'd like to go back. For a while we even thought about trying to move there but then decided we're happy enough here in Portugal.
    I loved reading all about you and your life!
    Suzy xx
    www.suzyturner.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sweet, a Canadian from BC. Metoo. Aside from 4, 6, and 10 we have something in common. Should I say, eh?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice to meet you! We Canadians have to stick together, eh? ;-)

      Delete

Thanks for commenting! I always reply to comments here, so check back in a day or two!

© Farm Girl | All rights reserved.
Blog Layout Created by pipdig