03/01/2026
2026 Mindset Changes ✨
Looking back at everything 2025 taught me, I realized there are a few mindset shifts I need to make to continue growing,
both in my confidence and in who I hope to become.
First: “If it scares you, chase it.”
At the beginning of the year, I said my 2026 motto would be “do the scary thing.” The truth is, the worst thing that can happen when you step into something that scares you is that you fail and failure means you’re learning. Every time I push myself to do something that intimidates me, I usually walk away thinking, “That wasn’t so bad,” or “Why was I even scared?” Those moments build confidence. They remind me that growth lives outside my comfort zone, and that the only way to get better is to keep showing up, even when it feels uncomfortable.
Second: “The only person you need to prove anything to is yourself.”
For a long time, I was fueled by the voices that said my horse would never be good enough, or that I would never make it. And if I’m being honest, sometimes I still am. But I’ve started to realize that when you’re constantly trying to prove people wrong, you never actually feel accomplished. It’s like there’s always something more to prove.
The reality is, most of those people aren’t watching my journey. Some don’t even know where I am or what I’m doing now. Yet their words can still echo in my head.
That’s something I’m choosing to change.
Instead of thinking, “I have to prove to everyone that this horse is worth something,”
I’m shifting to: If I’m proud. If I’m happy. If I feel like we’re doing amazing, that’s what matters.
I am my own worst critic. I can walk out of something feeling like I messed everything up or like I could have done so much better, even when everyone around me says I did great. So if I’m proud of myself, then I know it truly means something. That’s the standard I want to hold onto.
At the end of the day, if I keep pushing myself, keep doing what I love, and keep chasing my dreams, success will speak for itself. I don’t need proving people wrong to be my motivation anymore. My passion, my growth, and my happiness are reason enough.
Here’s to a 2026 filled with courage, confidence, and doing the scary things. 🩷