At age nine, when I sat on a horse for the very first time, I had no idea how my life was about to be shaped by them. I had no idea they would follow me across countries, careers, and crossroads. I had no idea they would become one of the most consistent, grounding things in my life. Yet, they did. And, as a result, they shaped me into the woman I am today.

This is what inspired me to write my latest book, Horse Girl: A Journey Home. In it, I share my life both inside and outside the horse world — and everything that I learned from it. When I look back on it all, I am equally overwhelmed and grateful for all the lessons I learned. It wasn’t always an easy road (is it ever?) but it was a fruitful one, and I know I am stronger because of it.

Here are some of my favorite lessons from my life:

1. I learned to be brave when I needed to say no to something in my life that everyone thought I should say yes to.

If you want to say no to something even when everyone is saying you should say yes, listen to yourself. You know what you need best. Trust your inner voice and listen to what it has to say.

2. I learned to be true to myself and to respect and love myself fully.

Treat yourself in the way you would like your most loved ones to be treated. With honesty, with respect, and with love.

3. I learned the value of having the right people around you — the people who support you, who lift you higher, who celebrate you for who you are, and who believe in you so much that you have no choice but to believe in yourself too.

Find your cheerleaders and hold on to them. Life is much more fun with a good support network around you.

4. I learned patience when injuries came our way, and that when you give yourself time to heal, you heal in more ways than one.

When things hurt or go wrong, practice patience. Time will help you heal if you let it.

5. I learned that you should never change yourself for someone else. Too often we try to change ourselves for others and end up losing our best, most beloved parts. Don’t. You don’t have to change in any way you don’t want to. You don’t have to change even if others expect you to. You are more than enough exactly the way you are. You are you and that is your superpower. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Love yourself for who you are, love your horse for who they are, and sit tight for the wild ride you’re on.

Be you. That is your superpower. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

References

Newsonen, Susanna (2023). Horse Girl: A Journey Home. KDP Publishing.