Small, simple ways to check in with yourself
Often, we think that connecting with ourselves requires a large, uninterrupted block of time. We imagine we need an entire weekend away, a complete change of scenery, or hours of perfect silence to find out how we are truly doing. In reality, waiting for these massive windows of time often means we spend most of […]
Finding calm when life feels too loud
We live in a world that doesn’t seem to stop. Our minds are bombarded daily with sounds, notifications, and reminders of everything we have to do. The noise is not just ‘out there’, it gets into our heads too, buzzing in a vehicle of thoughts to do with yesterday and tomorrow. Sometimes life feels like […]
What horses notice about you that you might miss
There’s something quietly humbling about standing beside a horse. You may think you’re just being there — calm, present, relaxed — but the horse might be noticing something else entirely. They may notice a subtle tightness in your shoulders, a held breath, or some other indication that you are not completely at ease in this […]
Why Slowing Down Is the Hardest — and Most Important — Thing You Can Do
Honestly, I’m writing this as much for myself as for anyone else. We’ve just come out of the most wonderfully full start to a year we’ve ever had at Tula Vida. Back-to-back retreats, barely a breath between them. At one point a New York snowstorm grounded flights and a whole group of guests couldn’t leave […]
What happens when you match your breathing to a horse’s?
There’s a quiet moment that often happens at the ranch — almost unnoticed at first. You’re standing beside a horse, maybe resting your hand gently on their shoulder, and without trying too hard, your breath begins to slow. Inhale… exhale… and somehow, it starts to match theirs. It’s subtle, but something shifts. In that shared […]
When the day starts before you do
Ever wake up feeling like you’re already behind? That was me this morning. My first instinct was pure adrenaline: grab coffee, sit at the computer, and start hammering through emails. I did notice a tiny voice suggesting I use my own nervous-system tools first—breathe, stretch, settle—but the drive to “get things done” felt stronger. So I dove […]
Learning to feel without trying to fix everything
Many of us have been taught that uncomfortable emotions are problems to solve. When sadness appears, we try to cheer ourselves up. When anxiety shows up, we search for ways to control it. When someone we love is struggling, our first instinct is often to find the right advice or solution. This impulse usually comes […]
What it means to have a regulated nervous system
These days with a lot more focus on it, you may have heard phrases like “regulate your nervous system” or “calm your body down.” They appear in conversations or classes about stress, mindfulness, and emotional well-being. But many people wonder what a regulated nervous system actually feels like — or why it matters so much. […]
Can curiosity replace self-judgment?
Most of us are far more compassionate with others than we are with ourselves. When a friend makes a mistake, we tend to respond with understanding, patience, and care. Yet when we stumble, feel overwhelmed, or react in ways we don’t fully understand, our inner voice can become harsh and unforgiving. Self-judgment often appears quickly […]
When “doing” got you this far—but now it’s just too much
When the world felt too big When we’re young and the world feels too big, too loud, or just too much, we do what we can to survive it. The gift of achieving For some of us, that meant achieving. Doing well. Pleasing the adults around us. Earning gold stars—whether on our homework or just […]