As Easy As Falling Off A Horse

After seeing the movie ‘War Horse’ a while ago, (pre-pandemic, when going to the movies definitely didn’t involve social distancing and hand-sanitiser) my friend Angie revealed that she has always wanted to learn to ride a horse.  She told me how she loved visiting her grandparents’ farm as a kid, getting up close to their magnificent horses and sitting proudly in the saddle.  But that’s where it stopped - Angie’s family didn’t have the money for horses or riding lessons. 

I was surprised that we hadn’t talked about this before.  Angie was positively glowing – those times had clearly given her so much joy.  But she’s grown up now, with a good job and teenage kids – this is the perfect time for her to recapture that happiness.  I got out my phone and started Googling horse-riding lessons in our town. She could start next week! 

Angie brushed my phone away.  “I’m too old!”, she told me.  “I’ll just look silly.  It’s too late for me to try something like that.”

I felt so disappointed for my friend – she has spent years looking after her kids and working long hours to pay off their mortgage.   I really wanted her feel her own special kind of joy again.  Why didn’t she want that as well?  If she feels happier, then she can be healthier.  Her husband, kids and workmates would feel the ripple effects of that happiness too (including me!).

As we get older, it makes sense to be more aware of the dangers of trying something new (especially if you have kids).  We need to assess risks to keep us safe, whether they’re physical (falling off a horse will hurt), financial (can I pay for riding lessons or should I save for a new car?) or otherwise (will I love it so much I’ll want quit my job and move to a farm?).

But it doesn’t make sense to miss out on happiness because of what we think people like us ‘should’ do, or what people might think of us (is it really ok for mothers to suddenly start horse-riding?).  Those rules are not obligatory – you can choose to live according to them if you want, but you pay the price of a life with less fun and freedom.  Or you can choose your own rules.  It’s completely legal, a lot more scary and so much fun!

Whatever your age, your heart wants to sing.  It wants to feel alive and joyous and free, like that time when you were a kid and you did something you really loved.  You can make it happen – just start Googling.

If you want some help with getting started, check out my workshop ‘Kickstart Your Goal’ followed by 8 weeks of phone and online support.