Overcoming fear over the past twenty years has taught me so much. Looking back, every moment of hesitation was worth the courage it took to push through. The journey was worth the sixty seconds of terror from the horse flipping over on top of me. What I realized is that the process I used is very similar to the process for accomplishing almost anything new or challenging. We all have things we would like different in our lives but just don't know who to begin and what to do. AT a high level, we figure out what steps need to be taken, we plan how to accomplish those steps, and then we implement those steps.
I believe we can all overcome our anxiety and fear if we make that our decision.
Here is a simple process that I used:
evaluate your health (You can do the same for your horses as well):
Set aside some time and sit down with a paper, journal, or some way to take notes. Scan your body and write down what is healthy, what is declining, what is improving, and what needs to be improved. Once you have that list from your scan, prioritize the list for action and commit to yourself to start feeling better now. Don't forget your mindset as well!
Gain knowledge:
Take some time and figure out what knowledge you have and what knowledge you need to accomplish your goal. I was all cocky when I did this part and thought I knew it all but did I? When I really sat down and did this, there were so many things I didn't know, even simple things like how to teach a horse to stand quiet and relaxed at the mounting block for me to get on. Seems simple but I had never trained a horse to do that. It was eye-opening to see how many things I didn't know I needed to know. I had a long list of knowledge that I needed to gain. I would love to hear how it goes with your list. What were your top 2 or 3 priorities on gaining knowledge for you.
Experience it:
Once you have gained the knowledge to at least take the first few steps, do the steps. Don't wait until you have gained all the knowledge and gotten healthy, start now and take small steps toward your destination. Those small steps will give you momentum and courage to continue on with your journey to confidence and courage. You have to do, not just think about doing. DO!
ADJUST:
As you start doing, you will find that you need to make adjustments. These can come in many forms. Adjust your health a little more. Learn a skill you hadn't thought of. It can be just about anything to help you stay on your journey and keep moving towards feeling that confident courageous self you know is inside of you.
Your process has already been created for you! Rise from Fear to Courage: Saddle Up and Enjoy Riding Again shares my journey of overcoming fear and reclaiming the joy of riding. If you're ready to ride with confidence, this book will show you the way. Grab your copy today and take the first step toward fearless riding!
I took twenty long years to go from my accident to my destination, getting my courage back. Along the way, there were many bumps in the road but looking back at the road, I can see the journey and how it could be streamlined. Here are the major milestones on a journey into courage after an accident.
MILESTONES:
1️⃣ Reframe the Fear: Shift your perspective — fear isn’t the enemy, it’s a signal. Learn to listen without letting it control you.
2️⃣ Focus on the Mindset: Build a strong mental foundation with positive self-talk, visualization, and daily affirmations.
3️⃣ Have the Physical Health Ready: Make sure your body feels strong and supported — physical readiness boosts confidence.
4️⃣ Gain the Knowledge: Understand what you’re doing, why, and how to handle challenges — knowledge quiets anxiety.
5️⃣ Take the First Step: Action builds momentum. Start small and don't stop — courage grows with each step forward.
6️⃣ Enjoy Your Courage: Celebrate your progress and savor the feeling of showing up for yourself — this is where confidence thrives.
Do you want to overcome anxiety with a little extra
help? Let’s explore breaking free from anxiety and stepping into calm.
Book your free chat now and take the first step toward finding your calm. I have helped clients with both courage
coaching and hypnotherapy to overcome their anxiety and enjoy life again.
My husband was out of town and there were so many chores to finish and a huge storm heading right at our farm. I was so overwhelmed with all the preparations and just getting everyone fed and buttoned up for the storm that I didn't realize at first that my anxiety was off the charts. My breathing was short, my palms were sweaty, I almost couldn't even function my anxiety had gotten so bad.
We all have those moments, when we have more to do than we can handle but we get it done anyway. The toll often comes in the aftermath — when we push through, but our body and mind pay the price.
What can we do to delink overwhelm and stress?
Here are a few things that have helped me.
1️⃣ Mindfulness in Motion: Focus fully on each task. Notice the textures, sounds, and sensations as you work. This keeps your mind from racing ahead. Put as much focus on all your senses as you move swiftly through the tasks. Let the part of your body that isn't doing the task fully relax. Feel that relaxation as you work. Mindfulness helps us to accomplish more, faster, and better than when we are thinking about twenty things all at once and doing nothing efficiently.
2️⃣ Breathe with Intention: Inhale calm, exhale tension. The exhale is the most important. Visualize the anxiety flowing out of you with each exhale. Try to make your exhale a bit longer than your inhale. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, as if you’re fueling yourself with each breath. You can even pair this with a mantra like “I have time for what matters.”
3️⃣ Smile (Even If You Don’t Feel Like It): Smiling shifts your nervous system toward relaxation and tricks your brain into believing you’re more at ease. It will help to delink the anxiety from what you have to get done.
4️⃣ Micro Pauses: Every 20-30 minutes, pause for 10 seconds — stretch, roll your shoulders, or take one deep breath. These “reset moments” break up the tension that builds during busy stretches. Let that anxiety flow out your fingers and toes as you stretch.
5️⃣ Gratitude on the Go: As you check things off your list, silently say “Thank you” for the ability to do each task — this switches the mindset from overwhelm to empowerment.
Do you want to overcome anxiety with some help? Let’s explore breaking free from anxiety and stepping into
calm. Book your free chat now and take the first step toward finding your
calm. I have helped clients with both
courage coaching and hypnotherapy to overcome their anxiety and enjoy life
again.
Reflecting on your rides—both the fearful ones and the amazing ones—can help you build confidence and overcome riding anxiety. Fearful rides teach valuable lessons about triggers and responses, while positive rides reinforce courage and connection with your horse. By shifting your perspective, you can turn fear into growth and ride with confidence.
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Struggling with anxiety and fear can lead to embarrassment, but you can overcome it. Discover three powerful tips to transform your anxiety into confidence: don't worry about others' opinions, use embarrassment as fuel for growth, and be grateful for the experience.
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