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When Beekeeping Feels More Stressful Than Satisfying:
How to Fix It
By: David Burns
Most of us probably started beekeeping because it was an exciting and attractive hobby. Beekeeping is adventurous, a bit mysterious and very surreal to the new beekeeper. The men and women who keep bees appear to be a very unique breed. Beekeeping is attractive because it’s so fascinating. The fact that not everyone can do it draws many people to accept the calling. It’s thrilling to start with your first hive and bees. It’s a rush, like getting high on nature. There’s a honeymoon period in beekeeping, a time when you love your bees and…they seem to love you.
As a beginner beekeeper beekeeping is fulfilling and exciting but as the season progresses the thrill of beekeeping can easily turn into routine, frustration and boring repetition. Reality sets in. We face the harsh reality of fighting mites, managing swarms, coping with stings, dealing with failing queens and combating small hive beetles, just to name a few. Soon our joyful enthusiasm turns into uninspired dread. What started out as an exhilarating, fresh new hobby can soon become repetitive and tedious resulting in a loss of motivation. The challenges of beekeeping can easily lead beekeepers to burn out.
I once reached a point where I lost the joy of beekeeping, and it just wasn’t fun anymore. Let me share how I re-ignited my spark for beekeeping and came back with a stronger passion and sense of purpose.
- I REFLECTED BACK TO MY FIRST MONTH I STARTED BEEKEEPING
That first month is etched in my brain. I remember the excitement, the new smells, the taste of my first honey crop, and yes, even the first time my bees stitched my socks to my ankles. I recall how fun it was to learn, to read another book, or to sit and watch my bees fly in and out, going about their tasks. If you are struggling, and not really enjoying your bees, take a time out, pull up a chair (not too close) with a nice Spring drink and simply enjoy watching your bees fly in and out. Think back to the first month you started beekeeping and stir up that passion you once had. - RELAX AND ENJOY THE PRESENT MOMENT
The beekeeping season can become hectic fast. We get so caught up in taking notes and finding solutions to problems that we lose sight of enjoying our bees. Find some space, sometime between the inspections, treatments and swarm control to be in the present moment. Work into your month an observational-present-moment (OPM) inspection. This inspection is simply to enjoy looking at your bees, observing and appreciating their work, their movements, simply appreciating them for who they are. Rather than looking for mites or beetles or the condition of the brood, just accept what you see. Embrace your bees with a sense of wonder and awe. Take time to respect and admire the effort they are putting into their world. - CONSIDER SCALING BACK
“How many hives do you have?” is a common question asked of every beekeeper. The larger the number, the more it strokes the ego. While having lots of hives sounds impressive, the larger apiary may be taking its toll on the beekeeper’s mental health not to mention the added stress on the family, the finances and overall well-being. I remember a well-established commercial beekeeper sharing with me how excited he was to scale back his operation by one third. We’ve all bit off more than we could reasonably handle. Maybe it’s time to scale back to fewer hives. After all, isn’t it more reasonable to enjoy a few hives than to overwhelm yourself with too many? - FIND YOUR HIVE
Beekeeping can become a lonely endeavor especially if you have a full-time job and family and you have to hustle just to find time to tend to your bees. By yourself, in the hive, you’re left to troubleshoot challenges on your own. But it doesn’t have to be this way — it’s time to find your hive, a community of like-minded people who understand your struggles, share your frustrations and celebrate your victories. Join a bee club near you or find an online group to ask questions and feel supported. It’s also a two-way street. Maybe it’s time for you to share what you know and mentor a new beekeeper. Helping someone else can reignite your own passion for beekeeping. - FOCUS ON WHERE YOU CAN GROW
Perhaps it’s time to stretch yourself into a new venture in beekeeping such as raising queens, teaching classes, starting a YouTube channel or writing articles for a beekeeping magazine. Try a different type of hive, maybe set up an observation hive. These activities can help you reconnect with beekeeping and renew your passion for beekeeping.
Beekeeping is not a destination but a journey. Whether it’s reflecting on the joy of your first hive, scaling back to find balance, or discovering new ventures that spark excitement, there are countless ways to reignite your passion for this incredible craft. Remember, beekeeping isn’t just about honey — it’s about learning, curiosity, and the profound privilege of working with one of nature’s most fascinating creatures. So take a moment, and rediscover the joy that made you a beekeeper in the first place.
If you’d like to watch my YouTube video where I discuss this topic in more detail, visit: https://www.honeybeesonline.com/davids-youtube-channel
