Welcoem to posts!!
in the future - u will be able to do some more stuff here,,,!! like pat catgirl- i mean um yeah... for now u can only see others's posts :c
One year on ๐ผ The road has been long but I have come so far!
Today, one year ago, on 1 November 2023, my life changed forever. I left the UK, headed for Bulgaria with my 3 dogs in a beaten up old Land Rover - Miss Kate, or Baba Katja as the old girl is known these days.
I sit here in my T-shirt on my balcony on a sunny late Indian Summerโs day marvelling at the view. As I do each and every day. The picturesque hill with the old abandoned white house that faces exactly in my direction. I often fantasise about who once lived there. Maybe a family member of Maria, the original lady owner of my house. The two balconies are aligned perfectly and I can imagine two women morse coding each other with their torches at night - or maybe hanging out coloured blankets for communication. Itโs a quaint thought.
One year on, and how far have I come!
When I arrived here after a gruelling 5-day trip that included a hurricane and getting grounded by the German highway police for having no rear lights after lovely Wendy chewed through my rear wiring loom without me knowing, with just 500 bucks left to my name and all my worldly belongings in a storage unit back in the UK, I felt lost, scared and exhausted.
Leaving the UK had been no easy decision. After living there for 31 years it was my home. I still love the country. But after my ex left me just 2 days after my mum died and I ended up sitting on my own in our matrimonial home, staring at the walls, I knew it was time to go.
I loved that house near the sea. When I bought it I thought it was going to be our forever home. But thatโs just it - OUR forever home, not just MY single home. Every brick held memories that were just too painful to bear on a daily basis. And when I started calling people for help - people who Iโd regarded as friends - they all disappeared as quickly as my ex had. Plus there was the financial aspect of me living in a house with mortgage payments and high energy bills. I owned a holiday home in Bulgaria, unmortgaged, off grid, no monthly bills to pay. There was no point to stay.
Selling, giving away and throwing away 31 yearsโ worth of belongings was the most painful thing ever, but it was also cathartic. Clearing everything made space for new things to enter my life.
The 5-day drive was like a pilgrimage - all the difficulties, joys and restful times in hotels along the way were like a dream journey into a new life.
I arrived at a house that had not been lived in for 2 years and it was a mess. I spent the first months just cleaning up everything. And money was painfully tight as I had turned down lots of work whilst sorting the old place in the UK.
But one thing I had in abundance - the love of my 3 dogs and peace and quiet. Connecting with Mother Earth is easy when nature is right outside your bedroom door. In its overgrown splendour, the huge garden was also a sanctuary for my tired mind. Just what I needed after the dreadful year Iโd just gone through.
Since coming here, Iโve made lots of new friends. People who are actually there for me when I ask for help and who also have no problem asking me for help - a beautiful dance of give and take. Thatโs how life should be.
I have a dream of living right here on Inner Hippie Farm in community with other women who also want to start over in life. Weโll grow our own food, live independent off-grid lives, enjoy and sell arts and craft and create a magic place where all can thrive and live in harmony with each other and the Earth. That sounds like paradise to me!
The first community member, Tiffany, has already joined. As soon as we have sorted her visa situation, sheโll be here permanently. Several other women have already expressed an interest. It is all slowly coming together. The joy of that is indescribable!
I am also relaunching my book publishing house - Inner Hippie Books - a virtual fireside where women are encouraged to share their wisdom and stories with the world. Because by sharing our deep insights and knowledge, we can help to shape the world into a place worth living for the coming generations.
So much accomplished in just one year!
Yet on most days it doesnโt feel like it. Life is slow and intentional here on the homestead. Most mornings are spent preparing good food, doing light household chores and generally relaxing. Then itโs work in the afternoon - either online or in the garden. It all just seems to drift by gently and I only ever realise how much got done when I look back.
Today, on the first day of the new pagan year, I bless this homestead, this new life, my new friends. This is everything I could ever wish for and yet I know there is more to come yet. I am planning retreats, because there is nothing more delightful than working with real people in the real world. I am planning a membership where like-minded souls can thrive together - it will be called the Sisters of Yaga.
Yes, there is so much more to come and I invite it all with open arms. Life is beautiful. Life is exciting. Life is what you make of it! So go out there and live a great life!
Blessed Samhain ๐
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Blessed Samhain ๐
The veil is thin tonight. Honour your ancestors and those who have already passed on. Share your meal with them. Sing them a song. And remember them fondly.
Say goodbye to all that doesn't serve you any more and only take your dearest dreams and desires into the new year with you.
Blessings to all of you and humanity ๐
9 - 2
Hi everyone, I've been missing in action for a little while and want to give you all an update.
Life has gone a little crazy recently and I've struggled finding the time for making videos. As this is a vlog of my life as it happens, there are no scheduled videos.
It's been all good stuff but also a little overwhelming.
My divorce papers finally came through. I'm now officially free of the old ties and energies that were still binding me like a big ball and chain. It was emotional and extremely uplifting at the same time.
I've had friends visiting. That was great and a lot of fun. We had some nice jam sessions and went on a couple of adventures.
I've welcomed a new foster dog, Darla, into my home. She's lovely but has to work through some challenges and her and my gang don't really get on yet. That's difficult and rewarding at the same time.
When building Darla's enclosure, I hurt my foot. I stood on a root and it went straight through the sole of my shoe and speared my big toe. That hurt! And is still hurting. So I'm hobbling around which is very tiring.
All the while I've been busy with a business project that I can't talk about yet. Let's just say it'll solve a lot of the financial issues here at Inner Hippie Farm.
And I'm always talking to ladies who are interested in joining my little community here on the homestead.
When I'm writing all of this down, it is obvious why I've run out of steam for filming โบ๏ธ
For those who asked - the indoor kitchen garden is coming on great and lots of seeds are now sprouting. I'll show you in my next video.
So please bear with me as I organise life. I'm aiming to be back with updates and news next week.
Blessed be ๐
P.S.: Here's a photo of me at the helm of the Passat - a tall ship that my dad sailed on as a ship's carpenter.
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Violet is coming home!
I picked her up today and now we're resting in a motel on route.
Go to www.facebook.com/silke.harvey for more updates.
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๐คฉWe've done it!๐คฉ
After almost a week of investigations following a heartless attack by a troll who reported me as a fake cause, the fundraising platform reopened my fundraiser to save Violet!
After showing them all of my documents, bills and plane tickets, they came to the conclusion that I have done nothing wrong.
Justice prevails and Violet will be saved! ๐
We are almost there - we need just a few hundred euros more to cover all of the air fares, car and expenses ๐
So with another joint effort, we'll get Violet home safely!
Thank you all so much for your continued support, it means the world to me, Tiffany and Violet!
Please donate here to get us over the finishing line: 4fund.com/c2777n
THANK YOU ๐๐๐
22 - 3
๐คฌTO THE PERSON WHO REPORTED ME AND VIOLET'S FUNDRAISER AS FRAUD:
I hope you sleep well tonight knowing that your petty action has temporarily suspended my fundraising account.
I feel pity for you and send you lots of love and healing because your embittered pebble of a heart obviously needs it badly.
To all of my friends and kind supporters who have helped, both financially and with lots of advice and information: THANK YOU!
And to all of my friends and supporters who still want to make a donation to help me get Violet home:
Send me an email to silke_harvey@yahoo.co.uk and I'll give you the details of my Wise bank account that does not charge any fees.
I WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY THESE ONLINE TROLLS AND I WILL BRING VIOLET HOME!โ๏ธ๐ช
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๐ตโ๐ซLife sucks sometimes and rubbish happens - it's all about how you deal with it๐น
I want to talk about a topic that has been weighing on my mind a lot recently.
I started a YouTube channel last year vlogging my transition from post-breakup life in the UK to happy homesteader in Bulgaria. And some of my recent videos have attracted quite a bit of negative attention and criticism because of a fundraiser I'm currently running to bring a shelter dog home from the USA.
Here is the background story:
I am creating an intentional off-grid community here on my homestead. A place where 10 mature women will live and work together, aiming for complete food and financial independence in an increasingly hostile world.
My friend Tiffany from the USA joined me as the first permanent member in May. But her journey here was anything but easy.
Evicted from her home in January with just two days' notice, she and her beloved dog Violet found themselves in temporary accommodation on a rather volatile trailer park somewhere in the outback of Arizona - a place full of social inequalities and trouble.
When I offered her a permanent place on my homestead, she decided to take the plunge and aim for a better life for herself and her dog. But then things went badly wrong.
Tiffany had arranged everything for their departure - dog export papers, crate, plane ticket and ride to the airport. Then, two days before departure, the taxi driver cancelled the ride - just like that and without any reason other than that he didn't feel like it.
Unable to drive herself due to a visual impairment, Tiffany and I started a desperate search for a replacement driver but sadly to no avail - not a single soul in that place near the end of the world was willing to transport her dog.
With eviction date from her temporary accommodation just around the corner and a future for her and her dog that involved sleeping rough, Tiffany made the difficult decision to place Violet in local kennels and still fly over to Bulgaria.
She made this decision with a heavy heart, hoping that she had bought her beloved dog some time and given herself a chance at rebuilding her life.
I supported her all the way as even I could see from a long distance away that luck was running out for her in the place she was staying. And I know only too well from my tower moment last year that sometimes extreme measures are needed to fight your way back out of the swamp of life's adversities.
So with Violet's boarding period soon running out and the kennel being unable to extend the stay any longer, I decided to start a fundraiser to fly over to the USA myself to bring Violet home.
If we don't pick Violet up by the end of this month, she will be placed in the local pound and that means certain death after just three days - that's all that dogs in US pounds are given. So this is a matter of life and death.
My decision to fly over has caused quite a storm on the internet and even locally amongst other expats here. I've been accused of gold-digging for a cause that's not really urgent and even been told to let the dog die as there are more than too many strays locally anyway.
And that's made me think a lot about the values I and Inner Hippie Farm stand for.
I believe that every living being on this planet has the right to live. Full stop. Period. No exceptions.
I do not accept nor tolerate attitudes that imply that any living being should die because it's "only" an animal.
I believe in kindness and empathy and would like to think that I live these values in my daily life.
And this is the kind of community I wish to create - a community based on the values of kindness, empathy and absolute respect for all life on Mother Earth.
To imply that Tiffany should let her dog die and just replace her with another "model" is unacceptable and cruel to me. How would these people react if they were told the same about their children?
And before anyone starts - yes, I DO place the same value on an animal's life as on any human! We are all creatures of this Earth and have the same rights. The idea of us humans being the dominant and entitled species is just so much c*#p to me. Again - no discussion. Full stop. Period. Non-negotiable.
I want to live up to these beliefs and standards and if that includes getting on a plane and rescuing a dog thousands of miles away to reunite her with her mum, so be it. This is what I will do.
And I hope - but never expect - that one day someone will show me similar kindness when I'm in need.
And that's what Inner Hippie Farm is all about for me - creating a community where every member feels safe, cherished and supported and is willing to give all of this back in return.
A safe haven in a stormy world where kindness rules.
Because life does sometimes suck and rubbish does happen, but if we learn to love and support each other, it is so much easier to weather these storms together and come out ok on the other side.
I have no doubt that this post will attract the usual haters and critics, those that will denounce me a crackpot, hippie and dreamer. But guess what - all of these names are badges of honour to me!
I LOVE being exentric and different! I LOVE being a free spirit and a hippie! And I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being a dreamer! Because it takes these qualities to dream up a better future, a better world for all children of Mother Earth!
This post has gone on much longer than I originally intended. It's been a long time since I used to write long-form blog posts, since I switched to making videos instead. But this topic has been on my mind and heart for a while now and I just needed to write it off my chest.
Thanks for reading.
And if I have inspired you to donate, I say thank you on behalf of Tiffany and Violet:
4fund.com/c2777n
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๐Help me bring Violet home!
I am going over to the US in late July to bring Tiffany's dog, Violet, back home.
Tiffany is the first eco community member. Due to some very difficult circumstances at the time, she had to leave her beloved dog in temporary boarding facilities when she came over to Bulgaria.
Tiffant has decided to make Bulgaria her new home so now it's imperative that Violet get reunited with her.
I am raising funds towards this trip.
๐ Donate here: 4fund.com/c2777n
Please consider donating - every single cent counts and will ease the financial burden!
Please also share this fundraiser with your friends and family to spread the word.
Let's get Violet home!
Thanks so much ๐
๐ Donate here: 4fund.com/c2777n
PS: I'm still mending from a bad chest infection. New videos will be uploaded as soon as I'm well enough again to be in front of the camera.
2 - 0
Sorry everyone, no video today. I've caught a bad chest infection and talking is a bit of an issue at the moment. I'll be videoing some of the developments at the farm next week and will be back with a full update next Sunday. Take care and have a great week!
Meanwhile, here's a photo from 2019 when I first bought the old place ๐
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๐Bring Violet home to her mom!๐
๐Click here to make a donation: 4fund.com/c2777n ๐
Meet lovely Violet - Tiffany's pup who sadly had to stay behind in the US when Tiffany came to live here in Bulgaria on my homestead.
After arranging and paying for Violet's transport and flight, Tiffany, who can't drive herself due to a visual impairment, was let down last minute by the driver and could not find anyone to transport her beloved pup to the airport.
With eviction from her place imminent and no other options left, she put Violet in kennels and left for Bulgaria.
I am going over to the US in July to bring Violet home and reunite her with her mom.
The cost for this trip is around USD 3,000 and I am now raising funds to cover this huge expense.
Please consider donating - even a few dollars will make all the difference! Every mile of fuel, every day of car rental and every air mile count!
๐Click here to make a donation: 4fund.com/c2777n ๐
This awesome website doesn't charge any fees so all of your money goes to this cause.
Thank you and much love to you ๐๐๐
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Welcome to Inner Hippie Farm!
Hi, I'm Silke Harvey โ also known as the Inner Hippie. I'm a traveler, dreamer, survivor, risk-taker, and Earth Child. As the CEO of Inner Hippie Books, an energy healer, and a ukulele and bass player, I embody the spirit of adventure and resilience.
Our Vision
I am living my dream of creating a self-sustained, conscious eco-community on my land here in beautiful Bulgaria. The first volunteer and community member have already joined us, and we're excited to expand our family.
Join Our Community
We have two spaces available for members who want to live on the land. If you own an RV, caravan, or yurt, have permission to live and work in Bulgaria, and crave a sense of community, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us at innerhippiefarm@gmail.com.
Volunteer with Us
We're welcoming volunteers! In exchange for a helping hand, we offer free accommodation and food.
Donate: ko-fi.com/innerhippie
Support Silke's music on YouTube: @silkeharveymusic