mind and muse

It’s very important to me that 2026 is the year of the horse. The year of being audacious, gaining whimsical spirits, consulting with freedom, exploring everything, living in the moment, and simply becoming. I find it nostalgic considering how many people make fun of themselves for being “horse girls” as kids. Which, in retrospect, was me. I had every single horse figurine, every trinket, and a barn the size of a Barbie dream house. What a phase that was at age 8. Ultimately I was more into American Girl dolls, but that’s a different deep dive.

To me, the year of the horse more than anything means leaning into fear. Unapologetically being wild and care-free. Now, for people like myself with anxiety, all those adjectives are terrifying. No one who faces anxious thinking wants to be told to “not care” and to just “go for it” head first. My whole life, i’ve always craved certainty and control, even though that is genuinely impossible. So, the year of the horse, going against certainty, was intimidating for me to discover. However, the year of the horse also means being optimistic. Being positive. Being hopeful and assertive. Even if all that does come with taking risks. It it crucial to clasp onto that.

Taking risks = growth.

I think in todays day and age it’s more important than ever to embrace the horse; The embrace of loving and the art of simply existing. A lot of people including myself fear growth, but the alternative is just staying the same. And isn’t that much more scary? Growing up and growing inside means meeting new versions of ourselves, but also looking back from where we started and admiring the journey. If I could read a horses mind, I feel like that’s what it would be. A constant flow of growth and acceptance.

Horses do not stop, they keep going. Horses by nature are driven by curiosity, fight or flight instincts, they move at their own speed, individually or in a herd, and have a relentless drive. The way it translates for us as people, is taking shots. Going and doing. The thing with fear is that it never goes away. If you are afraid of doing something, saying something, etc. the distress will remain. It’s your job to take the leap and prove it wrong. This comes with exposure therapy, getting away from what we consider “safe”. Which we can all agree is easier said than done. However, the horse is somewhere deep inside all of us, making this awakening more forgiving and seemingly possible.

2025 was the year of the snake, which was about shedding skin, embracing new beginnings, and trusting intuition. Which in my opinion was the perfect preparation for the year of the horse.

The amazing part about all of this information is at the end of the day it is completely up for interpretation, and your own way of life.

Here is how I will be moving through 2026 with the horse in my soul and body.

Embracing momentum. The year of the horse amplifies movement and progress. Setting and pursuing goals and galloping towards them, absolutely fearless. Another huge one for me will be prioritizing self care. Whether that be mental or physical; I will be strengthening my relationships, fueling my days with audacious thinking and optimism, and avoiding doubt for things out of my control. Making to do lists and taking action.

This is such an exciting year (Especially for the retired horse girls)

Embrace. Attract. Be optimistic. Fail. Get up. Never stop moving. Run free. Embrace the shift. Welcome new beginnings. Open up your mind and body. Practice breath work. Be adventurous. Be loud. Screw your potential and be audacious.

This is the year it all happens. May all of us never stop moving.