The seasons are changing, and for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere winter is approaching. After a busy summer you may be feeling stressed about facing the dark, cold months.
US Coordinator Courtney Carson shares her advice for taking some time off so that you can be refreshed and ready for winter - and the new year approaching!
As winter approaches somehow the barn becomes busier than ever.
Horses now need clipped, blankets on and off take extra time, layers need put on late at night because the temperature is going to drop, and monitoring water and hay intake is even more important than before.
While the list of tasks gets longer, daylight hours get shorter. Seasonal Affective Depression (SAD), otherwise known as “winter depression”, can begin to creep in when you’re both beginning and finishing work in the dark.
If your competition schedule is still quite busy this time of year, work can be stressful. Keeping yourself from being burnt out is important all times of the year, but can seem harder in the colder, darker months.
Start making your holiday plans now
If you haven’t planned a holiday yet, this is the time to do so. Whether you want to visit family, go on a trip, or just enjoy a staycation, look at the calendar now.
Communication is key, which means speaking with your boss about holiday time and how the work will get covered in your or coworkers' absences.
How do you and coworkers divide holiday time? Barns do not shut down like an office, not everyone can take time off on the same day. This includes Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.
Speak with your entire team about who wants/needs time off for family obligations or special traditions.
Understand that you may not be able to take all holiday dates off due to seniority, plans already in place, and other factors.
Be kind to your coworkers and work together to make sure everyone gets some well-deserved downtime in the off-season.
Remember - it is not your job to find cover for your time off, but giving your boss plenty of time to plan is both customary and respectful.
"Don’t feel guilty about taking your well-earned time off either. You’ve worked hard, long, hours throughout the year."You deserve this time off, just as much as the horses deserve their vacations.
Know how much time off you have left for the year.
Don’t want to take a big trip now? How much of this time will carry over into next year?
You might not be able to carry your time over, so maybe plan for a staycation or just take the chance to spend time with friends.
Budgeting
Are you looking at traveling? If so, that can become expensive quickly. Setting up a budget now and saving a little extra every week can help alleviate stress.
Whether that budget is for travel, activities, or gifts it can be helpful to have a plan so that unexpected expenses don’t cut into what you need when taking time for yourself.
Talk about the beginning of next year
Yes, holiday time is important and taking well-deserved time off even more so. But there is nothing worse than coming back from holiday and into a whirlwind departure for a winter tour.
Begin discussing with your boss now about winter competition plans and departure dates. 
Do you need to be organized and prepped before going on holiday? Do you have someone who will be in the barn that can help with packing while you’re gone?
Taking time off does not help you reset if you’re on your phone answering questions or stressing about whether things will be ready when you get back.
Consider having a couple of buffer days to get back into the barn before leaving for the winter tour after your holiday time.
"Do Not Let One Bad Day Ruin a Good Year"
I read this the other day and it really stuck with me.
I know when its cold, rainy, and dark for most of the day I find it hard to be motivated and stay happy in the barn.
But then I remember how much I love my horses and what I do, and it makes it better.
If you find yourself a little less motivated now, if you weren’t considering some time away let this reminder inspire you.
