Author: langlep

So 2020 was going to be my year. The year I got my life sorted after being served redundancy notice from my job in November 2019. The year I ticked off more things from my horsey bucket list. The year I got my mental health back under control and reduced stress in my life. I had a plan. And it was a good one. Then the plan changed dramatically on 2 January. I came off my horse at speed and broke my ankle. Badly. Like all good equestrians, I got back on and rode back to the yard, sorted Buddy out and then drove myself to A&E. That’s where this journey really began... I was sent home from A&E and told to crack on, only to receive a phone call later to say they’d missed a fracture (and a rather serious one at that). Whoops! So fracture clinic on 3 January, surgery on 5 January and home to recover. I started this blog as a way to chart my recover back to the saddle. As I cleared clinics and competitions out of my diary and wondered what the next few months would bring, it's been a safe space for me to say how I'm feeling. The new plan was to get a new job, to keep Buddy is kept ticking over and recover from my injury. Another good plan! I didn't expect a global pandemic, lockdown and all that happened in 2020. This blog has changed over time but it's continued to be my safe space to share the things going on in my life, with Buddy and the cats. Enjoy!

100 days!

So today marks 100 days of lockdown. That’s pretty mindblowing! On one hand, it feels like it must be longer. On the other, it’s gone by so fast.

Now we all know that I love a list, so what have I learnt in the last 100 days:

I can cope with anything life throws at me
I’m very resourceful
I can achieve stuff even when things are stacked against me
I love walking and being out in nature
I need Buddy more than I realised
I need hugs more than I realised
I miss my friends and family
I can learn new things
I love learning
I can keep trying
I don’t have to do everything at once
I don’t have to have all the answers
I need to be focused or I get distracted
Having a cat put down by social distancing sucks
I am a crier
I can make marmalade
I can start my own business
I can make new friends without leaving my house
I am very grateful for having so many wonderful people in my life
I can keep in touch in different ways
I love a pub quiz
I can still exercise and do Pilates
I love my garden and growing veg
Kittens make me smile
It’s OK to rest
It’s OK not to be OK
50 is the new 30
Beauty is all around us
Helping others makes me happy
I haven’t had hair this long or been this brown for a very long time
People wearing masks unsettles me (especially gas masks)
Lockdown is an emotional rollercoaster
Everyone has their own views and that’s OK

In fact, I probably could list 100 things I’ve learnt, but I won’t.

But the biggest thing is that nothing lasts forever. I’m definitely looking at this time as an opportunity. Don’t get me wrong, there have been some very dark days. But there have been some wonderful moments too!

So what have learnt?

Focus

I started the day with a little wobble. This quote popped into my head and helped to refocus me. Literally!

Very productive day. Really cracked on and ticked a few things that have been on my to do list for a while. And it’s only Monday!

Keep training

Day 5 of my online course done and lots more ‘aha’ moments. I’m really enjoying learning new stuff. It’s one of the benefits of lockdown. I’ve been doing lots of courses, webinars and talks.

Since Buddy’s lost a shoe I thought I’d do some lorry training with him. I bought a fan to try and keep him cooler. He approved and kept sticking his nose against it.

He stood on the lorry for ages. He got a little impatient when he realised it was feeding time. But for the most part, he was good.

Horseshoes

So horseshoes are lucky. Except when they come off your horse. Why are horseshoes lucky?! Anyone know?

After a productive morning and 2 hours on a training webinar, I went to the yard and thought I’d quickly pop a few jumps with Buddy.

Thankfully he pulled his shoe off after we’d finished. Guess we won’t be hacking tomorrow then… Looks like footwear has been a theme today.

Housework is dangerous

Memo to me: hoovering in flip flops greatly increases your risk of falling over. Luckily the bookcase was there to break my fall. It seems that the pen is mightier than the sword!

Keep cool

Popped over to see a friend for a coffee, catch up and dip in her paddling pool! Much needed in the heat. It almost felt like being on holiday drying off in the glorious sunshine!

Find the shade

It’s been so hot today. I went for a walk this morning at Salhouse Broad. It’s the first time I’ve been there. It was so pretty. I’ll definitely go there again.

Reap what you sow

First tomatoes of this year.

I feel like I’ve planted lots of metaphorical seeds this year as well. Fingers crossed they will grow as well.

Learning

I’m having a learning day today! Been watching webinars, FB lives and videos. My brain is now officially mush! But I’ve learnt a lot today. In fact it made me think back on all the learning lockdown has given me the chance to do.

What have you had lockdown given you the chance to do?

Focus on what you have

This popped up on my timeline today and it really resonated with me.

I’ve been focusing on all the things I need to work on, sort out or improve recently. I’ve been looking at the things that aren’t going my way. Rather than looking at what I do have.

Yes there are some big things going on in my life. But they’ve started to leak into every area.

So I did a bit of NLP reframing today.

I went for a lovely walk in the woods this morning. I did some lorry training with Buddy this afternoon. And now I’m watching Brighton.

Also got some good news. Mum is doing really well recovering from Covid and pneumonia. They’re so going to move her back to Crawley hospital for rehab. So that’s a relief.