Wanting So Much from Each Tick Tock of the Clock

Tick...tock...tick...tock.

Time. We're always wishing for something from time - for it to speed up the work day, for it to slow down when we're not looking forward to some event on the horizon, or wishing for more hours in the day so we can get more stuff done.

I have a full time job working 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., I ride 4-5 days per week after work and on the weekends, I run AdultAmmyStrong, I edit for another equestrian blog and recently I've decided to add something else to my plate - studying to be a certified equine sports massage therapist. 

Ok, so let me digress a little to explain: when I was younger I wanted to go to Auburn University for their equine program and become an equine kinesiologist. I instead went to school in North Carolina, played Division II volleyball and majored in marketing and public relations - makes sense, right?! Anyway, fast forward to adulthood >> when I found the equine sports massage program I thought that's the closest thing to my childhood dream job without having going back to school full time -- something I absolutely don't have time for -- so I'm doing an at-home study certification! However, trying to fit it in to my schedule is proving to be a little harder than I thought....which brings me back to the point...TIME! 

As adult amateur equestrians, we tend have a love/hate relationship with time and we want so much from each tick tock of the clock.

Please sir, I'd like some more
I'd love more time! And I think most adult amateur equestrians would agree. Most days and weeks we're asking...wishing...for more time. Just a few more hours in the day to be at the barn, or after we get home from the barn for house work, family time, whatever it may be. We work, we ride, we spend time with family, we study to better ourselves in a multitude of different ways - college degrees, other certifications, etc. We try to cram everything we want, need and hope to do into a mere 24 hours and sometimes it is quite the daunting task. Scheduling family matters -- dr. appointments, kids' school and after-school activities, dinner dates (cause we all need quality time), play dates (for me it's doggie play dates), house repairs & renovations and the list of adulting could go on and on -- can be challenging. Add in barn time, lessons and show dates (whether it's just weekends or full weeks at a circuit) -- and everyone wishes for more time!

Just a little bit longer...
On the flip side, there are times we wish we could stop time: during a horse show (cause we definitely don't want to go back to work or 'real' life); the days leading up to an event we're just not looking forward to, like having to say 'goodbye'; or just the relaxing weekend (I know, most are saying, "what's that?") or a special event with family wishing you could stay in the moment a little longer to fully take it all in before reality strikes.

The need for speed
The third want is to speed up time. When we're anticipating an exciting and fun endeavor -- such as a horse show -- we want time to fly by! We just can't wait for that day and time to be here that we want the days to quickly pass. The anticipation and build up can be exhausting, which I think leads to more of a desire for time to speed up!

My time conundrum
Lately I feel like I'm stuck in a time purgatory. I want all three of the above to happen at the same time. I know that can't possibly happen, but that's what I'm wishing for:

• I need more time to fit everything into my days - work, riding, blogging, and studying for what will hopefully one day soon be my full time job;
• I want time to slow down (on certain days). I love the time I spend at the barn, at shows and with friends, and I wish those minutes and hours could take juuuust a little longer than the minutes and hours of the work day;
• I want time to speed up. I'm a Navy wife and my husband is currently away and I'm counting down the days until he returns -- SO -- time can speed up, please and thank you.

Knowing all of this....or even just one of the three...isn't possible I will commit myself to being fully present in the moment and taking in all I can from each experience throughout the day, week, month and year. Because after all, isn't that all we can do? Make the most of the present, appreciate the past, and look forward to the future. 

How do you, as an adult amateur equestrian, manage time and the affect it has on your riding and family life? Do you consider it your friend or foe?

Happy riding,