At this time of year, we love pausing for a moment to look back. Not in a big “New Year’s resolution” way — more like a soft check-in. What stretched us? What surprised us? What made us smile?
Sometimes we forget all the things that have happened – naming just one challenge and one highlight is enough to see how far we’ve come. And it can really change your perspective on your year.
We have been doing some reflecting, and for your interest (and amusement), here are our overall challenges and highlights from 2025…
Eric
Highlight: Sharing Tula Vida with others and watching people truly experience the place for the first time.
Challenge: Keeping the herd safe and well — especially when injuries happen and extra care is needed. They are family!
Sally
Highlight: Seeing how people soften and light up just by being here… and the joy of eating fresh veg from the garden. (Still can’t believe how amazing the celery tastes!)
Challenge: Realising there’s always more to do — acknowledging what I have done and remembering to pace myself.
Frack & Sirena
Challenge: That little “adventure” when they went missing for 36 hours….yes really…
Highlight: Their dramatic return to a hero’s welcome – and subsequent 48-hour sleep marathon.
We still wish Frack had been wearing a GoPro — he could have his own adventure channel by now.
Fish & Luna
Challenge: The devastation of being left behind when the humans go somewhere in the car.
Highlight: Getting to go too…
- Fish: going on big adventures with Eric and being a “working dog” (or at least aiming in that direction).
- Luna: coming to town with Sally and proudly sitting in the shopping cart, admired by all.
Sita
Challenge: Keeping so many guests safe (she takes her job as protector seriously).
Highlight: Getting to take all those guests on walks and show them “her” ranch.
Honestly, Sita considers everyone her personal responsibility — and people really feel watched over.
The Upstairs Herd (Yes, we’re officially calling the upper level herd that now…)
Challenge: The humans still won’t let them inside the house where all the bananas are hidden.
Highlight: The newfound “drive-through window,” where they confidently line up to place their banana orders.
The Downstairs Herd (they roam the rest of the property)
Challenge: Retreats are often small groups… but each horse wants to “work” and partner with someone, so sometimes there’s not enough humans to go round!
Highlight: Their beautiful new shelter and lower barn hangout area — they love it. Oh and all the ripe guava falling from the trees all over the property. Their favourite snack.
And you?
What was your challenge and highlight in 2025? Just one of each. Whatever comes to mind first. We’d genuinely love to hear if you feel like sharing them.
One small holiday reminder: If this season feels full, loud, emotional or just a lot — you’re not doing it wrong.
One simple thing we’re using ourselves: once a day, pause your body before your mind takes over. Feel your feet on the floor, let your shoulders drop, and take a longer exhale than inhale. Even 30 seconds helps. It brings a dose of balance into the madness. Or go and find your favourite tree – now we know the “tree hugger” idea is actually grounded in science!
To read more about that, you might like: Why a Nature Retreat feels so different from a vacation
With gratitude for this year, and for each of you who has been part of it —
Merry Christmas from all of us at Tula Vida.