1. Boost self-confidence: Repeating positive affirmations for confidence can help you feel more confident and capable, and can counteract negative self-talk and self-doubt.
   
2. Reduce stress and anxiety: Positive affirmations for anxiety can help you focus on the present moment, reduce negative thinking patterns, and promote relaxation.
   
3. Enhance overall well-being: Repeating positive affirmations can improve your mood, increase feelings of happiness and contentment, and promote positive thinking.
   
4. Improve performance: Positive affirmations can help you stay focused and motivated, and can boost your performance in various areas of your life, such as sports, academics, or work.
   
5. Encourage positive behavior: Repeating positive affirmations can help you establish new habits and behaviors that are aligned with your goals and values.

The benefits are definitely there, but to reap the rewards you have to actually use them. Here are some best ways to use positive affirmations:

1. Be specific: Instead of using generic affirmations, create affirmations that are specific to your needs and goals. For example, if you want to improve your confidence, you can use affirmations like “I am confident in my abilities and trust my decisions.”
   
2. Use present tense: Use affirmations in the present tense, as if they are already true. This helps to shift your focus to the present moment and away from negative thoughts about the past or future.
   
3. Repeat them daily: Repeat your affirmations daily, ideally in the morning or before bed. Repetition helps to reinforce the positive message in your mind and create a new belief system.
   
4. Visualize: As you repeat your affirmations, try to visualize the outcome you want. For example, if you’re affirming that you are healthy and fit, imagine yourself feeling energetic and strong.
   
5. Believe: It’s important to believe in your affirmations for them to work. If you doubt the truth of your affirmation, it may not have the desired effect.
   
6. Be consistent: Positive affirmations are most effective when used consistently over time. Make them a part of your daily routine, and you’ll start to see positive changes in your life.

So let’s get started. Following the tip to be specific I’ve created 40 positive affirmations specifically for equestrians, riders, and trainers (because every time you are with your horse you are training it, whether you realize it or not!).

Positive Affirmations for horse riders

1. I am a skilled and confident rider.
2. I trust my abilities to handle any situation that arises while riding.
3. My connection with my horse is strong and intuitive.
4. I am centered and balanced in the saddle.
5. I enjoy the freedom and exhilaration of riding.
6. My horse and I work together in harmony.
7. I am grateful for the opportunity to ride and connect with nature.
8. I am patient and compassionate with my horse, and we learn and grow together.
9. I feel peaceful and at ease when I am riding.
10. I embrace the challenge of improving my riding skills and becoming a better rider

Positive Affirmations for horse training:

1. I am patient and kind when training my horse.
2. My horse and I have a strong bond of trust and respect.
3. I am a knowledgeable and effective trainer.
4. Every training session is an opportunity for my horse and I to learn and grow together.
5. I am attuned to my horse’s needs and adjust my training approach accordingly.
6. I am persistent and dedicated to helping my horse achieve its full potential.
7. My horse is willing and eager to learn from me.
8. I am creative and adaptable in my training methods.
9. I celebrate every small success during the training process.
10. I am grateful for the special relationship I have with my horse, and for the opportunity to help it reach its full potential.

Positive Affirmations for Equestrians:

1. I am a skilled and competent equestrian.
2. I am confident and focused in the saddle.
3. I am grateful for the special bond I have with my horse.
4. Every ride is an opportunity to learn and grow as an equestrian.
5. I am committed to improving my skills and knowledge as an equestrian.
6. I trust my intuition and instincts when riding and caring for my horse.
7. I approach every challenge with patience and determination.
8. I am part of a supportive community of equestrians who share my passion.
9. I am respectful and compassionate towards my horse and all other animals.
10. I am proud to be an equestrian and grateful for the joy and fulfillment it brings to my life.

Positive affirmations for anxiety in equestrians:

1. I am strong and capable of overcoming my anxiety.
2. I am in control of my thoughts and emotions.
3. I release all negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones.
4. I have the power to overcome my anxiety and feel good riding my horse.
5. I am grateful for every small victory in my battle against anxiety.
6. I am surrounded by love and support from those who care about me.
7. I trust myself to handle any challenges that come up with my horse.
8. I am worthy of love and acceptance, regardless of my anxiety.
9. I am resilient and adaptable in the face of adversity.
10. I choose to focus on the present moment.

It’s great to have a list of positive affirmations, but it’s even better when you can focus on one. If you can take it with you, put it in your pocket, touch it to remind yourself of the affirmation. I’ve created 40 positive affirmation cards for equestrians. They are on beautiful watercolor backgrounds. Print them out and choose one each day. Put it in your pocket and keep it with you throughout the day.

Click the image below to get them now.

The post 40 Positive Affirmations for Equestrians appeared first on Little Gray Mare.

If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change

When I set the intention to be more calm and connected (both for me and my horse) resources started showing up. I love how that works. One day in a Facebook community someone recommended the Netflix Documentary Stutz. I watched it and a lightbulb went off. All my life I’ve wished for a tool, something that I can use in the moment to get me through things, be it anxiety, anger, feeling trapped, and here shows up Phil Stutz and Jonah Hill of all people, with actual TOOLS to help me do it!

The movie blew my mind and got me feeling all the possibilities. I immediately went to Amazon and ordered The Tools on Kindle so I didn’t have to wait. Quickly realized it was a book I really needed to have in physical form so I could see it and touch it and flip through it. I literally use this book every day, so I ordered The Tools in paperback.

Phil talks about getting stuck in The Maze in the movie. That bit hit me so hard because I feel like I’ve literally been stuck in The Maze for the last 2 years. Here’s a clip about what he says about The Maze. See if it resonates with you as well.

Honestly, some of these tools are pretty woo woo out there. But the thing is, I’ve used them all and they work. Just the other day I found myself locked in the maze going around and around in my head. Spiraling down into the darkness, feeling like I had been wronged. I caught myself, realized I was stuck in the maze, took 30 seconds to use The Active Love tool and immediately felt 100% better. To have these tools to draw upon… it’s everything. I can’t tell you how grateful I am to Phil, and Jonah, and the person in the Facebook group for sharing them.

The thing is, when you get stuck in The Maze it’s hard to have good energy, to feel positive. When you don’t have good energy it’s really hard to go out and create a positive interaction with your horse. In fact, I find it’s hard to even get motivated to go out and spend time with mine, because I’m trapped. Trapped in the never ending loop of unfairness. Being able to break out of the maze means everything. You can free yourself. It doesn’t take years of talk therapy, or thousands or even hundreds of dollars. The movie is free on Netflix, and the book that tells you everything about all the tools is 12 bucks. I know I’m fan girling a little bit, but it is seriously the best thing I’ve done for myself in a long time.

Learn the tools and use them.

I’ve found documenting my journey makes it easier to recognize when I get stuck in the maze, or in negative thinking. Having a beautiful space to document and reflect really helps me stay on the right path. If you’re looking for a beautiful planning journal for the next 30 days of your journey with your horse, I created this one for me, and you. Click the image below to learn more.

The post Using The Tools to Get Out of The Maze appeared first on Little Gray Mare.