Dealing with Burnout (and the future of our channel) 

I think your biggest problem is that you enjoy what you do! (So you keep on doing more)

I'm not surprised to see this video at all. We have been in Portugal for 10 years and built a successful small glamping business from nothing to move us from where we were, with limited immediate incomes, to where we wanted to be when pensions kicked in. We landscaped a small field, renovated and converted a cattle feeding barn into a kitchen and facilities block with a courtyard block for guests and survived then Covid. We burned out and so took time off. During that downtime we got careless and 18 months of injury and illness followed adding to the pain. This forced us to stop dead. We learned the hard way that if you try to do too many things at once then more maintenance is required which eats into your creative and leisure time. We closed our business to save our sanity and because it achieved what we needed it to do. The landscaping and everything we achieved are being taken back by nature. Do I care? Not really. Now we are properly retired and learning to enjoy life again. I have multiple small projects underway (and 18 months of maintenance to catch up on) but none of them are time-sensitive nor indeed imperative but I now want to, and can, do them. Some of these projects are cerebral and may never see the light of day but would enhance our lives. Others are more practical and have already been realised. At 70 years old this year it's time I slowed down. Good fortune to you. Take your time and be more flexible in your approach to your realising dreams.

You are not alone, nearly all RU-vid channels, of varied content, suffer the same. Some get their lives wrecked by chasing the algorithm. You seem to have a better balance but your output is still incredibly high. Sounds like your are addressing the situation. Just do things at your speed and never mind us😂

No wonder both of you have burnout!!! Seriously, multiple layers of plaster would have killed most of us. Maybe, changing up your activities, some inside and then some outside. I have worried about your pace previously, and being perfectionists who are competitive. Try to reduce your goals in the house and take care of each other. We love both of you and wish you to have less stress!

Don't beat your up ! You have addressed the most important aspect of your overall project, a place to live, a base of operations. Which require a safe functional environment that is pleasant to dwell in. Everything will fall into place. We spent 10 years clearing 8 acres, planting trees, making garden, a place for chickens, a couple head of cattle while completely renovating and remodeling a two story four bedroom two bath house and deck. We tore down a house and six outbuildings for the lumber and architectural ornamentation. All the while starting a new business. We didnt have the funds to pay for labor and supplies so we had to do it ourselves. But we weren't filming our progress ! You are just human ! Well done both of you ! Actually our lows were also our most creative periods. We understand ! Hang in there, it's worth it !👍💖😊

The feeling of being on a neverending treadmill of 'I just need to get this then that done' is something I identify with very much. I started watching you guys several years ago when I was looking for inspiration for our own project, and yours along with just two other channels keep me coming back to watch week after week. I really enjoyed your adventures in wine (or sometimes unexpected vinegar) making along with the veg garden no dig projects. I'm here because I like the people no matter what the weekly content is. Keep up the good work and enjoy your recuperation.😊

I think your main goal last year was to get some functionality out of the house. You have met that goal! Getting tired makes sense, and the fact is, this is about you guys, we are here for the ride. 😊 happy to hear you are going to allow yourselves to have more fun! As always thanks for the episode. 😊

Omg yes, often thought “nobody not even young people can keep this up” you have outdone ourselves, now take it easier please!!

I am in burnout too from 4 years of renovation on my own. Thank you for helping me know this is real, and I need to socialize even if a project is a half done mess. I look forward to seeing you enjoying each other, the chickens, the beautiful landscape, local fare, and other people.❤

I can't speak for everyone, but I'm happy to watch whatever you share with us, and I'd rather have it where you two aren't frazzled. For most of us, painting and decorating one room is quite a task, so stripping it back to bare stone and getting back to finished plaster is something else. Take it easy/easier. Cheers

As a Kiwi, we understand that work/life balance. People who move here often are pleasantly surprised. It doesn't mean that we don't get burn out ... we do! .... it just means that when it happens... we recognise it, talk about it, and take the time. I'm glad you recognised where you're at, and are making changes to bring you joy ❤ Arohanui ( lotsa love )from this little Kiwi 🌻❤🌻

I think it's just normal life, even in sunny Portugal. Don't stress about the audience, as we would've no content, if you stopped. Looking forward seeing the new plans.

You guys are great. The mission is to enjoy the journey and make a vid at the end of the week. Be kind to yourselves and each other. The project is you and we love to watch as your good company. Have a great week, enjoy the sun.😊

*Kia ora Kylie & Guy, 🙂 First off I hope you had a really great xmas and a fab New Year.... and I truly wish you both the very best for 2024 & beyond 🙂 This is YOUR channel, so you put out what you want when you want... if you want to a video of you both just mowing your lawns then I will watch... as mowing a lawn is quite satisfying & relaxing to watch. Digging over your garden & pulling out them dreaded weeds is ok by me... sorting out the chook run is also cool.. cos it has to be maintained or maybe even repaired... it helps gives others ideas. But you don't have to almost kill yourselves to total exhaustion every week to finish off one room... I watch other reno channels & they only do a small bit as it takes time to do reno's.. So if you need more time away, then do it... I am totally happy to wait... Cos this is about you two... 🙂NZ*

I'm so happy to hear your going to ease up and enjoy life a bit more. I always enjoy what you share. Take all the time you need. I think we'll all still be here no matter how you format your channel. 😉🥂🇺🇲🇦🇺🇬🇧

The fact that you have recognized "it" and the fact that you are speaking about it is the solid foundation for everything that is to come. Only those who stop and reflect and take or allow themselves a measure of rest and time can get up again strengthened and move forward. No matter what goal you set out with, it is always the path that makes the journey. I like your journey and I will continue to accompany you. Kind regards from Switzerland

BALANCE. You two are SUPER-restorers/renovators for sure. Allow time for peace and relaxation. 🥰🎶❤️❤️❤️🏡🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦⭐️

Sadly I am not surprised by how you both feel. I think you are making this way more difficult than it needs to be. There are many times hiring a professional is the wiser move both for the result and your mental well being. Living in a tent outdoors for so long has got to of contributed to this as well. Hopefully you can find it in you to relinquish some power over to someone who can get some work done with speed and knowledge. Just my two cents for whatever its worth.

You two worked so hard - don’t give up, instead give pause!! “The elephant can only be eaten 1 forkful at a time.” Don’t let any project/goal fall prey to the OCD’s of perfection & completion. Also set some work barriers, example start at 9:00am, short break at 10:30am, lunch at 1:00pm, wrap-up at 4:30pm, done for the day at 5:30pm. Only work 4 days of the week. Make a task list on a large posterboard that contains Post-it notes of all of the tasks you want to get done (Post-it note colors can be for those tasks that must be done, a different color that should be done, and another color for wish list). Use columns for categories such as plumbing, electrical, property, pets, rebuild, tear down. Don’t put any dates on them. Don’t make any order on anything. Don’t remove the Post-it note once you’ve done a task, just put a big X on it and choose what you want to do for that day or that week. Burnout is inevitable and understandable, and so is “a second wind”!

I’m glad you’ve got each other. Youre on the same page and you have each other to lean on. Great to see you and thanks for sharing. Greetings from Australia.

I have loved following your journey from the beginning, its only for the brave who can leave their home land, start afresh, learn new culture, language and renovate an overgrown small holding and a wreck of a house, particularly with your ideals, l love your new idea, you must get up and enjoy the moment.

This is life, not Netflix. Happy to see anything you throw at us. Enjoy enjoy enjoy.

Ironicly I used your chanel to recover from my burnout. I discovered that main stream tv and movies was to fast and stressfull. Watching you calmed me down. Take it easy and listen to your body!

I have asked myself many times, how in the world do they manage to work with such heavy work almost non-stop... are they superhuman😧 Glad that you beautiful people have found a way out of the stress, find balance and enjoy life a little more in varying forms 👍 All the best from me 🇳🇴 ☀️🌷

Well done to you both for taking a breather and reassessing. Just seeing the sun, chickens, beautiful fruit trees and the quiet.... how amazing is that!!

I'm sorry you are still recovering but I'm excited about your new direction. Knitting and crochet?? Yes, please. Discovery trips? yes! Bit of everything sounds absolutely wonderful. Socialising too - that will be very good for you. You achieved so much last year. So welcome back to 2024 and I'm really looking forward to whatever you bring. Cheers from Sydney, Australia!

If two driven people had two little boys under three years, like the Newbys in Northern Portugal, you would have built-in breaks in your drive chain!😂 So I recommend that you identify a more balanced pace.... and include time to laugh, sigh, breathe at that slow pace. Count your blessings, even while pulling weeds. Take time to enjoy Spring in Portugal. Be where you are. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day. That house wasn't built in a year. 😅 As a new follower I have to say that your task record is killer. It is wearing me out! Sleep. Breathe. Eat well. Laugh a lot. Be kind to your bodies. I look forward to 2024 with this grand project...one step at a time. ❤❤🎉

I love it all!🤗can’t wait to see what you do next. My husband and I bought an acre and a 50 year old house. We are turning it into a dairy sheep farm. Both working full time. So it’s slow going. You two remind me of us. Love you both.

Have you looked in WWOOF? We volunteered on an olive farm in Italy way back in 2005 and it was one of the highlights of our year around the world. We harvested the olives, split wood, painted, cleared land etc for free lodging and food. People can pitch a tent or pull up their vans and help you this summer. I'm a recovering perfectionist and used to grinding projects out either in the corporate world and home renovations + raising a child. I am on an early retirement/long sabbatical and I still struggle with feelings of not doing or being enough but I'm embracing the energy of Portugal and trying very hard to just relax and do enough but not so much that I am extremely tired and/or miserable or not enjoying the process. We could also come up and help some weekend this spring/summer. I'm the lady who reached out with all of the kittens in Cascais. :) Be well!!!

We’ve reno’d, built new, and finally found our spot without any of those, everyone has their own way. We love your channel baby steps, take a breath, enjoy, smell the roses.

Take your time and do all the little bitty tasks that are bothering you 😅!

Hi guys, totally understand where you’re coming from. After completing our renovation we felt mentally and physical drained. We took four weeks off over Xmas and re-evaluated what we were doing and pretty much now, are doing exactly what you plan to do. It’s made life a lot simpler, but boy! We’re still knackered. Burnout is a real thing! We have two more renovation projects lined up, but with no hurry! Good luck and take it easy 😎👍🏼

You are making good decisions, from someone who has been a contractor for a long time. My rules of the road: plan realistic yearly renovation goals for the year and revisit those goals per month and adjust those goals accordingly, don't work more that 10 hours a day (9 would be better), Don't do rebuilding/ remodeling seven days a week, schedule days off from rebuild/remodel to do land maintenance one day a week, do something different and enjoy some activity once a week (this is non-work away from your property), and by all means, STOP WORRYING ABOUT YOUR VIEWERS!

As you two have been working on your house, I have also been doing a lot on ours. The projects seem endless. I was doing what you guys are planning to do by working on a little bit of different projects at a time. But, I found no satisfaction because nothing was ever getting completed. So, now I pick only one project, set no deadline, and just work until it is done. That way I see progress eventually and then start the next project. The part about setting no deadline is the key.

I've admired your perseverance with the renovations. You tackled projects that were so time and labor intensive, but as a result the lower floor of your house has become livable. With a new growing season beginning you can make use of last year's gardening experiments and get more produce with less effort. Pick away at the house renovation when the weather makes outdoor work less pleasant, and do some traveling. You've earned some holiday time!

Im currently 2 years in to restoring a villa in Spain on my own. The first year I was doing 12+ hours, 7 days a week. The burn out was real. I took a step back realising that the house was my entire life and not why we moved to spain... Now its "just" a job, I work on it 7 hours a day Monday to Friday. Evenings are for my family and weekends are for living. I am much more relaxed now, having time for my kids and hobbies etc.

What I’ve learned is that I tend to underestimate the cost of physical exhaustion. When I mix that with trying to master new skills and knowledge, mistakes and disappointments…burn out is unavoidable for me. It’s not like you have been slapping paint on wall and tiling floors. You are encasing modern environmental plumbing and electrics in a country estate that was never meant to house them. Oh and let’s put the stress of learning a new language while accomplishing these tasks. Congratulations on coming out of a pand*mic, renovating, and farming. I hope to see some footage of this couple consuming lovely wine and food while relaxing in the sun. Unfortunately sharing said activities is work in and of itself.💗💗💗

I can totally relate to your feelings of burnout. I’m experimenting with trying to live more seasonally, focusing more on the outside stuff when the seasonal weather is right and prioritizing inside stuff when the outside is inhospitable. Three months is a good chunk of time for reasonable planning too.

You had to make the house habitable, that is a never-to-be-repeated exercise, and you have done a magnificent job. Take a bow, both of you. Now you arein the house, justa bout, you can do what you want, a nit of tis and that and get some balance back into your lives. So relax in the garden and grow some veggies, tidy up the odd thing that has been bugging you and cfhil. You are making great progress. You went to Portugal to chance your lifestyle, and yhou are well on the way to achieving a more relaxed pace of life now so much grunt work has been done. Onward and upward. We areall behind you.

Thank you both for sharing the reality of burnout. I am so glad you are both going to make the changes that will enable you to ease up on yourselves, live a little less frantic and vary your lives to achieve your goals with less rush and more comfort. Take care both !

Ha ha know your pain. Sometimes we have to give ourselves permission to just sit on our backsides, (clean version), and chill out. The only way I could deal with it is to write lists of tasks and tick off when done, you are probably already doing it. Could you contain your chickens in a small mobile run and move them around the garden to keep the grass down rather than just let them roam around? I must admit I use plastic sheeting on my allotment to keep large unused areas weed free, might be an idea for what it's worth. Anyway loving the vids and don't work too hard you guys.

Glad you are going to take things a bit easier, although I'm sure you will still get tired, but a bit of this & that will make all the difference. We were 56 when we moved to Spain & lived for 6 years totally off grid in a little Chalet.Then at 62 built a beautiful, ultra modern house from scratch. We know what burn out feels like 😂. Then when we were 73 we sold & bought an old Spanish Casita unlived in for over 20 years, and I think the renovation has been harder physically & mentally than the build. Like you we enjoy what we do, but we now get up in the morning, open the doors & windows, sit with a cuppa and plan our day. Sometimes this is doing nothing but enjoying our lovely part of the world, the sunshine and each other. Make time for you. Love Patricia ♥️

When you look at this video it was insane what you had done in this last year, I am not surprised you have had a burn out. I often thought how much longer can you go at this rate. I am glad that you have decided to take it slower. Just slow slow down. I know that you needed a place to stay. Just enjoy your garden and do bits on the house, but also on the week ends do not work go and relax in town. The house will remain it will not run away. Please take care and one day at a time. Your health is important and I understand what you are saying. Do remember that sometimes a project will take longer when we think it is a short project. Love your contents and I am happy with what ever you do. Happy New Year . Do not worry to much about the algorithm.

My wife and I bought a little land, built a house and then we bought more land when neighbors sold extra parcels and now we have 80 acres and a house. I too am a driven person, and after the first two years here, my body was starting to break down. I was accomplishing a lot, but I wasn't going to last. My physician told me to cut way back on the repetitive tasks - sawing, weeding, lifting, digging, etc. - that I was doing for as much as 6 hours a day, sometimes for days and days. Not that I couldn't do those tasks, but I had to be less driven to finish and more conscious of variety. So no days of one body motion. After 20 minutes to an hour of doing one motion, I needed to do something else. At least take a break. But also switch to a different body movement. Sawing? Okay how about sweeping. Digging? How about some weeding. Etc. Embrace the attention deficit disorder that your body needs to survive as a form of order to keep your work day from wrecking you. I feel better, I am stronger, and I am less panicked about finishing things within X amount of time. Some things I actually get done faster, because I am more capable of doing them. Other things never got done, because by slowing down and thereby gaining a clearer view I could see ways that letting go was creating much more interesting and more natural outcomes in the landscape. So I look forward what comes from your new or returned to relationship with variety. Sally forth. Take your time.

Fully understand, we shifted to the country 12 years ago in South Australia. Lots of hard work but it keeps you really active and interested in home, garden, growing our own veggies, chooks, compost, out in the fresh air. Wouldn't swap it for anything. it's so creative, people love visiting because most people would love to dare to do likewise, but maybe are a little frightened by the prospect. I suggest taking a day out once a fortnight, nice drive, picnic, lunch at a cafe etc. i would love to see other towns and scenery in your area of Portugal. I admire your persistance and love your channel so thank you. What about 'a day out' post?

I have been watching your channel for quite sometime and wondered how long you were going to maintain what you were doing! I'm very glad you realized you have reach a point that you need to slow down. I admire everything you have done! I agree with what you are going to try and do, but you are going to have a hard time doing it. Your both very motivated as you said. So when your viewers say relax and slow down, your going to have to listen to them! I'm just like like you, I am very detailed and picky, it used to drive my wife crazy! But when she got cancer, I realized I needed to change how I was and focus on her! We enjoyed our time we had before her passing! So take your time to enjoy each other, time is to short! But keep your goals too! Bless both of you!

While I've enjoyed the reno, it will be fun to witness the variety. You do need to pace yourselves and you need to think of your all around health. I will like to see you do gardening and other things. It'll be fun to see you doing your crochet too, as I do à little of that as well. I also really enjoyed watching you play with the kittens. I know:they've probably found their forever homes by now and one of those is your home, for a couple of then at least. I think I'd enjoy seeing you relaxing with them once in a while. To resume in a few words, I'm sure I'll keep on looking forward to whatever you want to share with us. You guys are so dynamic!! Love you!

Take a break. We'll wait and are happy with whatever you choose to put out. We bought 5.5 acres past year and work full time and are exhausted when each weekend is finished. Clearing old trees, planting new ones, watering, mowing, fire breaks, a vegie garden, creating a wind break with 40 Lily pilys that we've had to cage because of rascally rabbits and terrorist chickens, building a new shed, new cement pads electrical . . . and then we hate that we haven't yet done the large greenhouse, planted the orchard, koi pond, dam, above ground swimming pool and pond with waterfall . Not sure if being in our 50's was the time to start this! 😅

I have recently dealt with burnout from taking care of an older parent. It took me a year until I felt sort of like myself again. I think this only happens to people who care a lot and work hard. I felt shame for not being able to do more, etc., etc. I am so glad to hear you are going to try to go about things differently for yourselves, and also hopefully have things to a point where you can enjoy your home more, like that lovely kitchen area and a flush toilet, etc. I wish you lots of great days ahead! Your videos are just awesome!

Remodel burnout-especially when you are trying to live in (or even partially live in) the space you are remodeling is THE MOST EXHAUSTING thing ever! It is exhausting to never have a space that is just done. All the way. A rest space that isn't temporary, changing, or inadequate to needs at various times. It makes everything so much harder. (Note, I might have some personal regrets in this area.) I, too, struggle with finding the balance between continuing a major remodel (over time because of time and budget constrictions) and also just living or putting time and energy into outdoor things, family and friend things, or as life has handed us, major health crises things. Although, that has stopped all progress for a time. I love your channel, have missed some of the garden, property, and life aspects of your channel, but I also understand the singular focus a major project requires to get through foundational stuff. May you find balance in the new year, and enjoy the life you are living...the knitting, the animals, the food, the garden, the sunshine and travel. It is all about balancing working towards dreams and goals without forgetting that Living this good life is also a priority. Cheers!

It’s no surprise you’re feeling burnt out when you look back on all you’ve achieved, and you didn’t even show (in that clip of last year) the gardening, wine making etc that you did. Anyway, what I suggest is you sit down with a calendar in front of you and choose weeks of the year ahead where you stop and do something else, come what may. Maybe even book some holidays (accommodation at least, if you choose to drive everywhere) and that will give you something to look forward to, which always helps in times of stress. Good luck with the coming year, let’s hope you reach Christmas 2024 feeling not-too-tired and happy with what you achieved this year.

Pat yourselves on your backs for all your accomplishments, but I understand. I had an 1886 Victorian home that nearly killed me so I get it, and I wasn't filming anything. Give yourself permission to live life and do what you need to be happy and fulfilled. The house will be standing after we're all gone and it stood before we were here. Extraordinary work you are doing. It will be superb when you are finished. Love and light to you both. From Wisconsin, USA.

It just amazes me how much work it takes to renovate old houses there,no wonder you’re burnt out but it does look beautiful🥰🇨🇦

my two cents: I see that you are perfectionists and want to master each part of the work that you do and in most parts you succeed well and is ome you don't. That is probably a big factor in the total sum of stress. May I suggest something? Hire a professional for tiling the floor - it will be worth it.

The #1 thing that helped me with burnout was implementing a "project free day" every week. 1 day a week where I could 'rest' from project work, slow down, recover etc. Still had normal life and animals to deal with but absolutely no project work.

Yes there was an awful lot of hard physical labour and repetitive tasks last year. there is no shame in hiring in more machinery or having some local labour in to assist. Will you have a project room with a white board/ chart wall so that you can see how you feel each days and chose the appropriate task? Also do consider limiting the hours of work each day to save the 'work until you drop' mentality. Have fun in the garden. What are the local villages like to visit?

Before retiring from Australia to Italy I was a very driven Chief Strategy Officer and spent my entire career planning and doing...... It's taken 62 years and a move to Italy to realise that not everything in life needs to be planned... sometimes it can also be a real joy to simply slow down and enjoy life. A very wise Frenchman once told me " Life is short and then you're dead". Enjoy your lives!

Too much stress can be debilitating and deadly. I'm glad you have decided to stop and think of how you'd like to live your lives. A great idea. I look forward to watching you in 2024.

As someone suffered by burnout myself i absolutely support and think this is the right move, looking forward to coming episodes.

Happy new year ! Lovely to see you guys back .

Your health and well heing is the most imporrtant thing. You have worked so hard the past year and have enjoyed sharing your journey. So glad you will take some time for yourselves. Sending love from New Zealand🥰

Main goals last year were: utilities, heated floors, livable space, gradually move out of the yurt. You created a safe room. Mastered certain trade skills and have a good idea what it takes to get a job done. Nothing wrong with a holistic and mixing jobs up at a slower pace. Your enthusiasm will return as the weather improves and you begin to enjoy the successes of your labor. Create time for fun activities. You have a year to finish the lower level.

You should see the smile on my face, just to see that you are back❣ Now, having watched the video, I want to paraphrase what so many have said: Fight your Type A tendencies. Make your schedule, and then stretch it out over twice as much time! Give us shorter videos - or longer, unedited ones. I think most of us are here primarily because we like you and enjoy your company - no matter what you are doing. Love from Massachusetts

It's completely right to take a break & then do small projects. Finish one small projects at a time. Use the sunshine to be outside. If you want to sit in a chair under a tree and read a book all day, then do it! If you keep on pushing yourselves the entire project will fall flat & that will crush your spirit. Breathe!!

As someone who has clinical burnout / ME-CFS, I'd believe you may not really be in the clinical territory - which of course doesn't stop you from FEELING how you feel. Good on you for taking this moment to pause and reflect before carrying on. Good luck!

Good morning, Kylie and Guy. I’m glad that you’re taking a more balanced approach to your work load. You have both worked so hard on the renovation and the garden.

Ah, thank goodness. I was worried that one of you was going to have a serious health scare from how hard you were driving yourselves mentally and physically. Regrouping to sort your maker space ... that includes your entire property ... as the mood hits you ... will free you from the burn out. But, please do allow yourself time to just sit with a cup of coffee in the morning, or in various places each evening, and allow a spark to draw you to a corner, or tree, or bit of garden that pulls you in to be trimmed, or sorted, for just that moment. Lists are good, I still have multiple lists, but what sparks my creativity and/or desire to sort/clean is just sitting in different places in my garden, studio, workshop, or home with a sketchbook, computer, and beverage while allowing my mind and body and soul the space to just be. I may have planned on laying more bricks and pavers to expand the patchwork patio, but what I end up being drawn to is tending to the fruit trees that had been ignored. Don't worry about us, or algorithms. Allow yourselves time to ground your energies to the land, and sometimes, even if it is really hard, put down the lists, sit on the grass, and just breathe. Cheers from SW Florida.

Y’all owe us no explanations. It’s your life. I’m just grateful I get to see some of what y’all are up to. What you are describing seems to be the ups and downs of life. I wish you much happiness for this new year. And when you hit a snag that you quickly get on the good foot and move along.

Courage mes braves (as the French say)! Do whatever works for you, videos are not that critical, enjoy your life and most of us will be happy to follow along.

Lads- firstly, don’t do a different ending for the videos. I love hearing Kylies off screen buh bye at the end, makes me smile each week. I’m also delighted you are planning to move forward in a more rounded and healthier way and pace for yourselves. I love every video you have produced and can’t wait to see what you come up with to include. Be happy in whatever you chose - we’ll be here to cheer you on😘

I like the MEDLEY approach!!! 🥰🎶❤️❤️❤️🏡🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

Sounds good, shorter videos on various things, mix it up, even local visits and relaxing visits

I will still be watching, whatever you do. You are a great couple.

I have the same problem that you guys do - I enjoy building stuff but everything takes a lot longer than you think and I work alone most of the time and I’m in my 60s now, so I wear myself out easily, But all along I have made sure to do fun projects on Sundays! That’s how I take care of myself and have some balance. And one other thing, I spent a whole year remodeling my bathroom using an old trough urinal that was removed from a stadium, as a sink, and I got a bunch of free tile from a recycle yard. It was a lot of hard work but every day I go in there and feel blessed to finally have that ugly mess replaced by something unique and home built. Your life will free up magically when you complete more of your projects and the effort will be rewarded many times over! I am fine with your variety, because I have a ton of variety in my Vlog episodes. I’m a professional artist, but a builder and gardener as well, and also a foodie, like you guys seem to be. We are all filled with a variety of interests and talents And I think adding them to your vlog makes you more captivating. So carry-on! I am enjoying your videos. If you ever come up for air and want to see my bathroom remodel here is my episode which features that. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-aMqYaxuomr4.htmlsi=4caQj2d0XLfIlmDy

What I find most enjoyable in watching your videos is how you interact with each other. True it's "not all unicorns and rainbows", but what is? Rest is good. Sleep more. Go off property and enjoy more. Take us with you. We like you. :D

You guys have done a wonderful job! I was just wondering if you would consider letting volunteers help you out some? People with vans that could live inside the van while helping you with some renovations or even gardening stuff.

"unrealistic in the first place" are the key words..... that explain the burnout

The chooks look very happy that you haven't mowed the lawn, and I'm sure they don't care less about their house.

I think it's good that you've taken that step back to remember that actually living your lives is as important as making a beautiful place to do so. I suspect that now that you have some basic functionality back in the house (a toilet, a sink, a space to be inside and unwind, a place to cook), you'll start to find house tasks less urgent and overwhelming, too. There is still a lot to do, of course, but you're no longer going to be doing it to the expensive and unusable box of stone in your backyard, now everything you do is an enhancement to an already functional space that you can use every day... And that turning point can make a big difference in how you perceive the work you're doing. If there's one house project I hope you can complete in the coming year, it's just putting in a full bathroom upstairs. In my renovation experience, the option to take hot showers inside a nice finished room will do WONDERS for your burnout!

My husband and i also bought an old house for cheap and between our full time jobs and kids we make lists, priority lists, inside the house project lists and outside project list and another list for everything else, then during the week we choose a project we can do that wont cost alot and wont take weeks and we got to a point where we are not burnt out, we get things done. Yes it takes time, nothing gets done overnight, take your time and enjoy the process...even if you do small projects and put out 10 minutes videos if you dont enjoy it you wont be happy once its all completed...goodluck and i hope you find your solution! 🎉

You're both doing what is right for "YOU", everything I've seen has been exciting and of course exhausting for you both. Any video you share will be informative and enjoyable. Keep being true to yourselves, everything can find it's place on your own time and energy. I'm just glad to be here to share in the moments of your creation and discoveries. Peace, Strength, Health, Love & Prosperity. 🥰🥰🥰

Ahh great that you have recognised burn out. Leaving the corporate world takes time to adjust & you don't switch off. We call it renovation fatigue. Enjoy all the other jobs & take time out. Love following your journey. All the best Celia NZ

My suggestion for goals: Simple, 2 goals. A. Finish one more room (any room) B. Enjoy life…..do whatever makes you happy Next January, I’m sure you will be happy with your accomplishments in 2024.

I am an 80 yr old woman who love you two......and watch everything multiple times. Please dont injure yourselves. That could finish the project prematurely. 3:25

Burnout is awful, it can take months to feel normal again. Also, RU-vid channels that become too 'professional' and rigid are also awful - all the charm is lost. You are making complete sense in this video. Just live your lives, do what you want when you want and I'll enjoy the videos anyway.

Maybe in addition to all you do, get an assistant or two? Not for the things you want complete detail control of, but maybe just extra hands you can have in once in a while to pull weeds, or cut grass type things? Are there such helpers in your area? Just some extra hands you can direct to some chores you don't much mind sharing. You really have outdone any other humans I know. No need to kill yourselves with work. Love to see you any time we do, but no expectations. Thank you so much for sharing your creativity, wishing you a very happy and well-balanced new year!

Good for you to realize this early on! We didn't begin to take some time away from building projects until we were nearly 70... and no, the house still isn't finished, but there are other things to life!

I'm really glad you are back, and I really appreciate the videos, having into consideration you have been burned out. I was burned out, and it took more than six months to get better, so hopefully you get better faster. Regarding tackling different projects each week, this way you can rest from one big project, and you can do smaller things, and it's funnier, and you see things being completed faster than the other way around. Thanks for coming back ❤

Thankyou for your candid assessment of ‘plain old exhaustion’. It is no wonder you are feeling this way. One of the episodes we loved was when you took that weekend away to rejuvenate. Your home will be finished one day, and even when it is you will still need to put effort in to maintain and keep it up to scratch. So be easy on yourselves so you can enjoy every minute of the journey. A home is never finished, but it can still provide enjoyment at each stage. By the way we here in Australia always have ‘orange tree envy’ when we see your tree. Mostly we wish you well and have fun in 2024.

It is surprising how ingrained the do do do mentality is in the UK. It does take time reorientate ourselves in a culture with a different pace of life. Looking forward to the variety in the future. Good luck!

My wife and I love you guys! You're the hardest working couple on RU-vid!!! God bless you both. Try and find a balance. I think it's a message for everyone who watches this channel to find a balance and don't be hard on yourself and be kinder to yourselves......

Your highlight reel doesn’t do justice to all the work you guys put in. You deserve the rest you have taken and more. Keep on doing what makes you feel good.

Glad you took time off to chill and rethink your plans for the coming year. I think you have a great plan going forward with diversifying what you take on each day/week. Cindy Vine created a work grid where she puts multiple squares of the different jobs she needs to complete scattered throughout the grid. That way, when she gives a bit of time to a job she colors in the grid so she can see the progress toward completing the job. And it means she can pick and choose from what has to be done so she has variety in the week's work. I think your process is much like what she is doing too. I miss the variety of the jobs you did the first year. And, I love the information you give us on your research into materials and methods. I'm learning and that is a bonus.

Yes a good honest video, thank you for that. Take some time for yourselves and enjoy life there. The weather looks fab over in Portugal! Can I just say that Orange Tree 🍊 in the background looks amazing! Greetings from Northamptonshire- UK 🇬🇧

now it's time to have fun! if you have fun, certainly we have fun to watch! Go easy and a have a great life! Aproveitem a vida, vocês merecem!

That old saying is true….Stop & smell the roses! Variety is nice. 🥰

As a couple of "amateurs" what you have done and achieved by going it alone, is nothing short of outstanding. I completely agree with your decision to take a step back and take stock, it is all too easy to be so focussed on what you are doing sometimes to realise that you are really over doing it, and the result is quite often some sort of burnout, which can ultimately lead on to some kind of disaster that is difficult to recover from. There's enjoying it, and there's really enjoying it, as the saying goes, all work and no play makes Jack, and Jill etc etc. Whatever you decide, I will still be watching, good luck.

I would absolutely be interested in anything you 2 are doing. I would enjoy watching you clean the yard or see some of the crochet projects. I would also enjoy seeing any trips or excursions. Variety is the spice of life!! It doesn't need to be all renovations all the time!!

I applaud the honesty and I think it's critical for your reviewers to see the holistic "you". We often see a curated view of our favourite people and then wonder why we don't accomplish as much, not realizing the real toll it can take on people. Looking forward to 2024 to more videos at a more relaxed pace. :)

Exhaustion!!! Surprise surprise! I have thought, how in the world do you guys get SO MUCH DONE??? From the trench and floor digging, to the garden, wine and preserve making. Heck the cooking and cleaning and land management alone is exhausting. Then the kittens and the rest of the animals, oh my, it's too much! Not to mention the research, and the filming and editing..... Happy new year to you both, I hope you find a better balance. Hugs from 🇨🇦