Winter Blues…and Purples, and Greens, and Reds

O, wind,
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?
~Percy Bysshe Shelley

I realize now that this time of year (especially with the onslaught of snow) that I am affected by seasonal depression.

My drive to do more has withered to amount to the drive to do just enough to get me through the day. I also find myself torn, emotionally and financially, between two things: pick up my mare that I’ve been working with for the past few years, or move on to something new.

I haven’t really talked much about the pretty little mare (who pretty much saved my sanity up here in the beginning) but she’s opened up a lot of doors for me. I don’t own her, and I ended my lease in the fall to try to save some money. I have saved some money, but I feel less satisfied.

I’ve been riding with a new trainer (well, new as of last summer) and tried a few other horses. Dabbled with a few greenies. But I keep comparing all of my rides to “my mare-mare”.

A high note this time of year can be found in little events; people coming together to ride and be happy and learn together. Just being with others at an organized occasion, even if its just a dinner party, can lift ones spirits.

Today Plum Grove held their Valentine’s Horse Show. The Children were encouraged to wear festive pink, red or purple. And of course, the center’s colors were worn by the drill team. It was nice to have so many people brave the cold to support their children and the friends that we inevitably make in this small world sport.

But again, while I didn’t compete, I kept comparing my ride to those that I’ve had with “my mare-mare”.

More on her later I suppose.

I guess I just need to decide my priorities: take on new challenges, take my experiences further with a well established partnership, take the next step in my adult life, or something else entirely?

 

Lesson learned: Winter will come, bare its teeth, and move on. Seasonal depression will too. Worrying will get you no where. Worrying solves nothing.

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