Centered in the Saddle

Since I found out that Drifter is for sale, I’ve gone through various emotions. Mostly sad ones. And while I did settle in for Netflix, wine and ice cream, after about a week of serious wallowing I decided that I should probably choose some healthier options. Though I’m doing much better overall, I do still feel more fragile, emotionally, than I normally do.

These are some things I’ve been doing to be kind to myself and find comfort without resorting to unhealthy eating habits (mostly). Each of these things makes me feel as though I’m wrapping my heart in a warm, cozy blanket.

Reading Harry Potter
I love the Harry Potter series. I have loved them since I was about 12 years old and I’ve read and re-read them uncountable times. (Literally, I don’t know how many times I’ve read them.) Usually I reach for books 4-7, but this time I went for the third book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. I haven’t read it in a long time and choosing a less dark/intense book takes me back. It’s so comforting and calming.

Drinking tea.
It’s fall here in Wisconsin, so it’s most definitely a good time for a cup of hot tea. My favorite is Yogi Throat Comfort. It tastes like the Aveda tea that they serve in their salons, which is delicious, soothing and mildly sweet. Just holding a cup of it and breathing in the sweet-smelling steam makes me feel good.

Running.
I took a few weeks of from running but I’m back at it. It’s hard and I hate don’t love it while I’m actually running, but the feeling of accomplishment and strength when I’m done is fantastic.

Eating well.
For the most part, at least. Not every recipe or meal is super healthy but I’ve been trying to choose nutritious options. I made a good salad for lunch and most dinners every day last week, and I paired it with a delicious, crusty rosemary bread, which I lightly toasted. Yum.

Talking to blogger friends.
I got so much support on my original post about Drifter going up for sale, which was incredible. I’d particularly like to call out Firn from Riding on Water and Genny from A Gift Horse. Both of them reached out privately via email to me and have been full of lovely, supportive words of encouragement. You guys are amazing.

Praying.
I’m not always super open about my faith but this has been one time (of many) that I’ve really leaned on it. Sometimes it sucks to remember that my plan isn’t necessarily the same as God’s plan, but in the end His way is always better. A friend of mine from high school, who works in ministry and who I haven’t spoken to in ages randomly reached out a few days before I found out about Drifter. She showed up right before I would really need a reminder about having faith, and it has been great talking with her about these things as well.

Minor retail therapy.
I am trying to be responsible with money after show season. So far, so good – I’ve resisted many purchases. But I did get myself some lip balm and lip tint from The Herbal Horse. I also picked up a necklace on sale with free shipping from J.Crew Factory.

Listening to podcasts.
One of my favorite podcasts is Horses in the Morning because horses. But I listen to many others and have found several favorites outside the horse world. Gilmore Guys is a hilarious one where two guys talk about Gilmore Girls. That is literally the premise and it is fantastic. Science VS is a new show this year from Gimlet Media (one of their popular podcasts is Reply All, which I also really enjoy). The host, Wendy, is from Australia and has the best voice to listen to. She just sounds like she would be a lot of fun to hang around with. Another one from Gimlet that I’m sort of obsessed with is Surprisingly Awesome. They take things that seem super boring – i.e. cardboard, flossing, mattresses, pigeons and concrete – and dedicate an entire episode to proving that it is, in fact, awesome. Start with the one about broccoli. Trust me. FiveThirtyEight Elections is a great one for keeping up with the important parts of this election season (other good ones are Slate’s Political Gabfest and the NPR Politics Podcast, though FiveThirtyEight remains my favorite).

Riding.
I know, shocking that riding makes me feel better, right? But I took all the pressure/drive off, partly because the show season is over and partly because sometimes I don’t feel up to going. It’s a long, traffic-filled drive from work to the barn, which sometimes just seems a little too frustrating to deal with. So, I go ride if I want to, and if I don’t feel like it, I don’t beat myself up for not going.

I would also like to give a shoutout to my parents for their many, patient tear-filled phone calls and support. And to Boyfriend Patrick (not Horse Patrick) for being the best ever. He has cooked many delicious meals, comforted me, entertained and taken my mind of things, and just generally been the most awesome person that he is. [insert heart-eyes emoji]

What are your favorite ways to be kind and gentle to yourself?