As a caregiver and someone who is working to grow a business from the ground up, some weeks can feel overwhelming. Between meetings, calls, writing content, reaching out to my network, trying to grow my client base, and, oh yeah, taking care of my grandmother (and myself), I’m usually left feeling drained by the end of the week. So, going to the barn on the weekends has become like therapy for me. It reminds me that it’s okay to take time for myself and spend the whole day around horses, which I always find cathartic.
This past weekend, I rode a couple of horses over two days, something I haven’t done since I was at the height of my riding career. You know you love something when you aren’t deterred by the cold weather, having to ride indoors, or just the sheer exhaustion of riding numerous horses. It was the best couple of days I have had in a while, and it made me miss my old barn life.
It might sound strange but after a weekend at the barn, I was in a better mindset to start the week. I didn’t have those dreaded “Sunday Scaries” as the weekend came to a close, but instead, I felt rejuvenated (yet, sore) and ready to jump into my to-do list come Monday. Being at the barn felt like having a true break. I wasn’t tethered to email, I didn’t have to answer calls or texts, and I was able to enjoy my weekend without stressing about where I needed to be and when.
Winston Churchill once eloquently said, “There’s something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man,” and I believe truer words have never been spoken. Horses don’t care whether you’re rich or poor, what kind of job you have, or how your day was. They only care about the connection they share with you. I’ve always felt spending time with horses has made me a kindler, gentler, and more compassionate person. But it has also made me a happier person. For me, the barn is where I can go to forget my problems, knowing that I will be embraced by equines and fellow riders alike.
The ability to be around horses again has come back into my life at just the moment I needed it, as I deal with my caregiving responsibilities and my grandmother’s ailing health. I could never express my gratitude for this opportunity, and it continues to remind me of the importance of having an outlet. No matter what you’re doing in life or where you are in your journey, remember to make time for the things you love, and that makes you feel more like you. I promise, you’ll never regret the time you invest in the things that bring you joy.
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