Wow! What a week it has been. If you’ve been feeling emotional this week, you are certainly not alone. While I’m still processing the recent days following the election, the primary feeling I have is exhaustion. So, I decided to take advantage of one of the perks of having my own business and carve out some time for myself.
In times of stress or anxiety, I find it challenging to be present on social media and absorb information. Yet these days, engaging on social media is quite literally my job. Whether it’s for my brand or for clients, I spend a lot of time creating and consuming content. This time, however, felt different, so I made the decision to close the apps. Even then, I felt as though my mental health was at stake because I wasn’t contributing to the conversation. To counter this, I reached out to friends and followers to express my gratitude for their hard work and efforts on the campaign. But after a full day of that, I realized I needed a break.
As the week went on, I decided to take a morning off and visit the barn. I hadn’t been there in a while, and as Winston Churchill eloquently said, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.”
I chose what turned out to be the most beautiful day of the week to go riding, and I was thrilled to have the whole place to myself. As I prepared to ride, I felt a sense of vitality returning to me. My insides, which had felt heavy and bleak since the election, started to feel hopeful again, as if I would soon be able to take a deep breath. The horse was a comforting companion, radiating stress relief and making me wish I could trade places with him. How lovely it must be to be pampered, fed, and fussed over in exchange for just an hour of work each day (and let’s not forget being a non-verbal psychologist on the clock).
My time at the barn was exactly what I needed to clear my head and heart. However, as I drove back to re-enter the real world, all the emotions I had been feeling since Tuesday came rushing back. While it will take time to process everything and determine the way forward, this is your reminder that it’s okay to take what you need for yourself. Whether that means having a good cry, taking a getaway, or just spending a few days in bed, now is the time to practice self-care and utilize all the tools in your self-care toolbox.
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