Finding Calm Before the Holidays
The holidays are marketed as a joyous and festive time, full of cheer and good tidings. In real life, the holidays can be complex with a range of emotions (varying from joyous to heartache), unrealistic expectations, and the feeling to “perform”. The holidays are also a challenging time for anyone who is familiar with loss, and the absence of someone who used to be present (whether through death, separation, or estrangement) can be especially hard during festive traditions.
As the holiday season ramps up, we need to take a few lessons from horses who live with clarity and groundedness. Horses are great teachers of boundaries, and showing us when they need space, unapologetically. The holidays bring family dynamics, social obligations and many triggers, and we need to honour our physical and emotional needs without guilt. Horses show us that we’re allowed to step away, rest, or say “no” when something feels overwhelming. Similar to horses, we need to trust our inner signals to help with holiday decision-making and respecting our own wants and needs.
Horses have the natural ability to “just be”, and are able to accept things are they are, including emotions. The holiday season is already emotionally charged, and often feelings related to grief and loss are amplified, bringing back vivid reminders of the person you’re missing. Horses respond best to authenticity, and don’t require us to hold it together. They teach us that we don’t have to pretend to be okay, and with emotional honesty we are allowed to navigate the season in the way that feels right for you and your grief.
Horses help us prepare for the holidays by being more intentional and present, so we can choose how we want to show up, rather than getting pulled into a million directions or get caught up in the emotional weight of the season. With clear intentions, we can guide ourselves through the holidays with more awareness and compassion.
