Welcome lovely readers! I’m back with a new blog. I hope you are all enjoying this holiday season to the best of your ability.

Recently, I’ve been experiencing seasonal anxiety and depression. I have taken steps to take care of my mental health: getting rest, enforcing boundaries with work-life balance, dancing as a form of exercise, and journaling. While these steps have helped, I also decided to start taking my medication again. While I’m so happy that I’ve went 6 months without needing any, I’m proud of myself for recognizing that I also need that step to get myself in a better place.

A few months ago, I took a trip to Northern Georgia and North Carolina, to go horseback riding in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Appalachian trail. I went with my family and significant other. I haven’t ridden on a horse since I lived as a child in Germany. I was so excited planning the trip.

I stayed in the cutest Air B&B in Blairsville, Georgia.

The farm we stayed on was quiet and peaceful. The neighbors stayed in their house and we stayed in the cabin. Everything we needed was there: games, coffee makers, spacious patio to play ping pong, along with an extra room for my cousin who tagged along. I’m from the country, but I’ve lived in the city all my adult life, so it was interesting and relaxing staying on a picturesque farm for a few days.

My parents rented a cabin in North Carolina, and we enjoyed visiting them before we all left to go horseback riding.

The trail was so beautiful. We rode for approximately one hour and thirty minutes. It was so easy to book a reservation. I’ll leave the link here in case your interested. My horse did really well on the trail. One thing I learned is that horses can get easily spooked. They will also fight each other if provoked.

🎃

The next weekend, I went to a pumpkin patch and a corn field. I had a great time!

Currently, I’m on holiday from work. This year has been a series of high highs for me. I graduated with my masters degree, started teaching at a new school, and I met the love of my life. These aren’t the only accomplishments that happened this year, but they are some of my biggest achievements. I look forward to more travel in 2024. I’m prioritizing this mental health reset and blogging more is one of my goals to bring me joy and peace.

I wish you all an amazing Christmas and Happy New Year!