Opinion: Letter to my 16-year-old self starting out in agriculture
Colin Ferguson © Colin Ferguson In a few weeks, a major life event will take place – I’ll be getting married to Rebecca.
The nerves and anxiety are twofold. We decided to have the wedding on the farm, hedging our bets that June in Scotland would be the best chance of getting a braw day.
See also: Political ‘boorach’ leaves Scottish farmers in limbo
About the author
We can but hope that May came in like a lion and will go out like a lamb.
As this chapter of my life just begins, the one with Farmers Weekly, where I have had the honour of sharing my opinions regularly, is coming to an end.
As such, I thought I would use this last column as a chance to reflect, in the form of a letter to my 16-year-old self.
Dear Colin,
If I remember right, you are a shy, baby-faced wain, yet to hit the milestone of puberty and petrified of speaking to girls.
You probably think I’m overdramatising, but picture evidence exists!
You’re still in school, waiting patiently for the final bell to ring on that chapter of your life.
Don’t wish that time away – the friendships and knowledge gained will be unmatched.
The exams, lectures and deadlines still exist in working life just as much, if not more.
Most importantly, tell your English teacher, who thinks you’ll never amount to anything, that you’ll be asked to write for a national publication one day.
Life won’t be a smooth journey, but you’ll be working towards achieving the ambitions, goals and hopes you’ve set.
Complete them and then set even more ridiculous ones – never stop challenging yourself.
In the next few years, you’ll head off to college to start your career in agriculture, desperate to start working life.
After graduating, you’ll try to find opportunities to escape the daily routine, as time away from farm life becomes increasingly important.
You’ll need to find a balance and remember that the hard work that sometimes feels unrewarding will pay off and benefit you in the future.
In your mid-20s, you’ll experience imposter syndrome.
This is something that will keep happening, but by your early 30s you’ll have started to learn not to worry so much about what others think – what an amazing turning point that will be.
It’s easy to fall through life following trends and aligning yourself with others.
Don’t. Listen, learn, read and make your own journey. Have the confidence to share your thoughts and views.
Do enough research to be able to stand by them. You won’t always fall on the right side of right and wrong, but you’ll be respected if you stand by what you believe.
Most importantly, never argue with an idiot, as they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Grab every opportunity and walk through every door that opens or is opened for you.
You’ll travel, you’ll fall in love, you’ll make mistakes, you’ll drink too much, work too much, have highs, have lows and realise that your family will always have your back.
The next years of your life will shape you into the person writing this letter. It’ll be lots of fun – and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Sláinte,
Colin