Last weekend I got stuck into my own version of a Swedish Death Clean 😊 That’s where you get rid of all your junk before someone else has to deal with it when you’re dead. I went through boxes and folders of old notebooks, correspondence, photos and books and decided what no longer needed to take up space - in every sense - in my life. As a result, I now have a much less cluttered house, office and life Kind of …… When is a Clear Out not a Clear Out? When you don’t do the ‘Out’ bit 🤣 There is no more forgotten, unused, or irrelevant ‘stuff’ clogging up the energy in drawers, on bookshelves, or under beds. Now it’s all sitting in my hallway 🥴 It’ll probably make it as far as the car in the next few days. Eventually, it will get to its final resting place. I spent so much energy clearing the junk but I really just moved it from one place to another 😊 Now, instead of being out of sight (and mostly out of mind) it’s now front and centre looking at me every time I walk by. Almost tutting in disappointment and disgust at the sight of me doing other things and leaving it in limbo 😜 And yes, it’s not lost on me that I would be better off doing something about completing the job than writing about it. At least, if I suddenly drop dead or get hit by a meteorite, or abducted by aliens, I have it almost done. Just the OUT bit to finish 😊 Is it just me or does anyone else have difficulty finishing tasks?

You may (or may not) have noticed I’ve been a bit absent around here for the last few weeks. Truthfully? I’ve been a little overwhelmed. Actually… a lot overwhelmed. There has been a perfect storm of: too many moving parts too many ideas not enough hours in the day, and exhaustion quietly sneaking up on me from behind! I’ve been so busy trying to keep all the plates spinning that I stopped paying attention to the person spinning them. The ‘plates’ became my focus and keeping them all going just kept getting harder! I really gave it my best shot – until my body said STOP! Sound familiar? Here’s the awkward little lesson horses repeatedly try to teach us: You cannot sustainably care for everyone and everything else while quietly abandoning yourself. Eventually your body, brain and energy notices. And life starts gently (or not so gently) nudging us to pause. For someone who preaches the power of pause, I found it really difficult and uncomfortable to settle into the space of ‘non- doing’. It was so challenging to give myself permission to rest, breathe, and decide ‘What actually matters right now?’ And it was even more challenging to let some things go, for a while. For me, it’s been a reminder that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is stop pretending we’re fine when we’re actually running on fumes. And maybe there’s a lesson in that too: Overwhelm is information, not failure. Sometimes it means: - too many priorities - too may projects - too little support (probably because you didn’t ask for help!) - or simply… you’re tired. And tired people are allowed to rest. Anyway, I’m still here. Slightly frazzled. Still figuring things out. Still occasionally resembling an overcaffeinated pony in a plastic bag storm. But back. And grateful you’re here too. QUESTION: What has life been trying to teach you lately — even if you didn’t particularly ask for the lesson?

In my world, today is dedicated to mucking out my home 😊 Apart from a few breaks for coffee and Skool, the vacuum, washing machine and steam mop are working overtime, the tunes are blaring, and I am busting some serious moves 🤣 I wonder what it is about this time of year, the change in the light, the signs of growth, and the longer days that makes us want to clean our living spaces? My bet is that there’s some primal urge to purge 😊 So, what are you doing this Sunday?

Can everyone please give a huge warm welcome to @Helen Sharp who has just become our 100th member 😊 There should be cake and bubbles! 🥂🥂🥂

Many of the most meaningful horse–human connections develop outside formal courses, through observation, presence, and humility. Here are some practical, low-cost, no-course ways to learn and practise connecting with horses, all rooted in how horses actually experience the world. 1. Learn by Watching (Without Interfering) Spend time simply watching horses being horses. - Sit quietly outside a field or paddock - Notice: - Watch for subtle shifts: ears, breathing, weight, tail What this teaches you: - Horses communicate constantly, but quietly - Leadership does not mean dominance - Safety is built through awareness, not control This is how horses learn each other, no instruction required. 😊 2. Practise Regulating Yourself First Horses respond to nervous systems, not intentions. Solo practices (no horse required): - Slow your breathing until it deepens naturally - Stand with soft knees and relaxed jaw - Drop your shoulders and exhale fully - Notice your internal state without trying to change it Then repeat this near horses but without approaching them. What this teaches you: - Horses mirror emotional tone, not words - Connection starts with self-awareness - Calm is something you become, not perform 3. Learn Horse Language Through Observing Their Feet Horses tell the truth through their feet. Try this: - Watch where horses place weight - Notice when they: - Copy the quality of their movement in your own body Reflection question: “What are my feet doing right now, and why?” What this teaches you: - Horses feel intention through movement - Stillness is active, not passive - Boundaries are often expressed without leaving 4. Practise “Being With” Instead of “Doing To” Most people rush to DO something with horses. Instead, practise doing nothing well. If you’re allowed near horses: - Stand sideways, not head-on - Avoid staring directly - Let the horse decide distance - Do not reach unless invited If the horse walks away, just let them.