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If horse riding has fallen down the priorities ladder in your life, you may – like many riders – want to push it back up the list. You know, get it back up somewhere near the top so that you can really feel like it is truly something that defines ‘you’ again…
Unfortunately, making horse riding a priority again can be one of those ‘easier said than done’ things for many lapsed riders. Especially when you consider what your ‘mind’ is telling you!
And, let’s face it, if it is not a real priority, it won’t last. Sure, you might have enough willpower to push through for a week or two, maybe even a month or two. But when the rubber hits the road and resistance begins to show up, you will continue to uphold the true priorities in your life. And everything else will, eventually, fall by the wayside. Which is why it’s important to take the time and do this right.
Do Affirmations Work?
I’m going to be very honest with you and tell you that, in my experience, not very often. And I think the reason for this is because the sentence that is being affirmed is just too big a jump from where that rider is right now in their unique set of circumstances.
For example, if you keep telling yourself “I am a confident equestrian who rides 4 days a week” when, in reality, it’s been 3 years since you’ve sat in a saddle; your mind is NOT going to believe that – no matter how many times you say it!
I think the key when choosing to tell ourselves something different is to first of all notice how it physically feels in our bodies when we say the thing. If your mind thinks that statement is a great big ‘porkie’, your body won’t feel good when you say it. Notice and pay attention to what your body is telling you.
Choosing New Statements That Feel Good
However, if you were to rather say something along the lines of “In the past, horse riding was a very important part of my life, and I am actively working each day to make that a reality again”… That will have a different feeling because it’s not an outright ‘lie’. It is a statement that your mind can get behind. And this is important.
I think that well-structured affirmations are a good way to begin building trust with yourself. Especially when you then follow through and take action on what you are telling yourself!
And this trust is important because if you want to make horse riding a priority again, it is this ‘trust’ that will help you begin to develop other things. Like resistance and perseverance. Because, let’s be completely honest here, it won’t be sunshine and roses every day just because you chose to begin riding again. Life will happen!
Sharing the Journey
From here, I am going to suggest finding another equestrian to share this journey with. Whether or not you already know this person does not matter. What matters is that you both commit to each other to ‘pick up the slack’ when ‘those days’ roll around. You know the ones where the baby didn’t sleep for 3 nights in a row. Or you were given extra responsibilities and a short deadline at work. Maybe even the days when the weather has you seriously reconsidering your whole commitment to regular riding again!
Until you have developed a lot of trust in yourself, you can use the support of someone else to help get you over the days when things are less than ideal.
And this person can help in a lot of ways. It could just be a voice note check-in to say, “yes, I rode today”. Maybe it’s some ‘cheerleader style’ revving you up to do the work. Or a little tough love! This person is also someone who you can share the ups and downs with. Celebrate the good. And review, laugh, or cry about the not so great!
Making Horse Riding A Priority
Remember, your goal here initially is that it is A priority. Not necessarily YOUR priority initially. It is only by building that trust with yourself, feeling and celebrating the good times, becoming excited about what’s to come, and getting out there and actually doing it that horse riding will become a priority for you again.
If you would like some support, accountability, training, guidance, and a roadmap for your back to regular riding journey, make sure that you check out Returning to Riding.
In there, I will become ‘that person’ for you as you begin down the path of regular riding for you and your horse.
Happy Riding
Lorna
Returning to Riding
9 weeks to get your basics onto autopilot so that you can make the transition from passenger to ‘rider’ for you and your horse. We will work together, using easy-to-follow audio horse riding lessons and weekly video reviews to help you transform your riding.
Experience how you will go from feeling ‘floppy’, unbalanced, and lacking confidence in your abilities when in the saddle, to gaining control of your body and aids, practicing clear communication, and actually improving how your horse goes while being ridden.
With 9 weeks of private, 1 to 1 coaching with me over a secure video, voice, and text app, you will have all the support you need – and a proven program you can re-do with your horse time and again to polish both of your skills.
Make sure you check out Returning to Riding today for all of the information.
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