Setting Summer 2018 Goals + Spending it Outdoors

This post has been sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company and Pringles. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’ve been longing for summer more than usual. Maybe it’s because of this prolonged winter and having to survive snow in April—or maybe it’s because this summer, I finally have my own horse again to ride. Either way, I’ve been reflecting on what makes a summer worthwhile and how I can realistically make the most of the season, especially when it comes to horseback riding and spending more time relaxing outdoors.

My Five Goals to Enjoy Summer

Like my horse Mocha, I’m stubborn, stuck in my ways and prefer an established routine. I also over-schedule and plan my life down to the minute. I’d like to shake that off a bit to tackle a few summer goals.

Spend summer outdoors. I can easily fall into a trap of staying indoors with air conditioning and watching television. I’d love to spend more time outside, less time surrounded by distractions like TV and my beloved phone. Luckily at my office, we enjoy summer hours on Fridays and we get to leave at noon, giving me more of a reason to head back to my hometown for the weekend to spend the day at Lake Michigan, visit my horse and visit my favorite ice cream shops from my childhood.

Be present, have fun and cool it on the corrections. When I showed horses growing up, I never let myself have fun. I was super competitive, overly concerned with things my horse couldn’t do or change and compared myself to other riders and their horses. And I’ve let that go. When I got Mocha, I thought perhaps I could try a couple local shows, but she just isn’t that kind of horse. And I accept that! When I ride her, I don’t mind if her canter is a little too quick, or her head is high up in the air—we’re having fun and at this point in my life, I’m just trying to stay in the saddle!

Sip and snack smart. I’ve got snacks on me whether I’m driving 30 minutes or out in the backyard with my horse. I’m also the type of person who always needs something to sip on and if it’s not water, it’s something flavored or carbonated. vitaminwater® zero has been a great choice for something tasty to sip on the go, with no added calories. Grab a case from Sam’s Club like I did and put them in the cooler outside! I also like bringing Pringles® out with me, because if you know me, you know I’m obsessed with them and the packaging, specifically the lid, makes it barn-friendly unlike other chip bags that can collect dust. And the vitaminwater® zero and Pringles® along with protein bars fit in our saddlebags for those longer rides!

Set realistic riding goals! Mocha doesn’t like much change or leaving her comfort zone, it’s something we’re both working on. I’ve started to take her on short trails behind my parents’ home and across the street to our county fairgrounds where she can walk through trails, practice in different arenas and get used to the sights and sounds away from home. She’s obsessed with my mom’s gelding Indy and I need her to get a little more comfortable with leaving him! I also want her to become more comfortable with saddle bags for longer rides, where I can pack away snacks and essentials like my phone.

Stop being lazy. I’m quite the sloth outside of structured gym visits and workout classes. When I visit Mocha, I’m helping to muck out the barn, feed the animals and move a little more!