When Life Calls — Choosing What Matters Most

Last week’s Mental Health Chat didn’t go ahead as planned. And that’s something that, in the past, would’ve sent me spiralling. 

I’m the kind of person who hates letting people down. When I set a date, I want to stick to it. My brain’s wired with a cocktail of RSD (rejection sensitivity), OCD about deadlines, and this deep need to make sure no one feels disappointed. Normally, I’d push through — no matter how exhausted or overwhelmed — just to avoid feeling like I’ve failed someone. 

But sometimes, life doesn’t ask. It demands. And when the farm calls, I answer. 🌾 

This week it wasn’t a small thing — one of our foundation mares started showing colic-like symptoms. For anyone who knows horses, you’ll understand how serious that can be. It’s been days of checking, walking, hydrating, monitoring, and hoping. Time, energy, emotion — all of it. These aren’t just animals to us. They’re family. Our heartbeat. 

We’ve given up so much for this life — years of hard work, moments of rest, even stability. There was a time we lost almost everything: our home, most of our possessions, even the sense of “normal life.” But what we didn’t lose was our family. We held onto each other — and onto the farm. Because this place, these animals, they’re our purpose. 

So when I had to make the call to reschedule the chat, I did something I wouldn’t have done years ago — I chose to protect my energy. To show up where I was truly needed. Not out of guilt or obligation, but out of love and necessity. 

And that’s the real lesson here — sometimes self-care doesn’t look like rest or reflection. Sometimes, it looks like hard choices. Like saying not now to something you care about deeply, so you can be present for something else that needs you even more. 

I’ll admit, it still hurt to hit “reschedule.” I felt that familiar knot in my stomach. But I also felt grounded knowing I was doing the right thing — the human thing. Because healing, growth, and balance aren’t about perfection. They’re about presence. 

Thankfully Sundays Mental Health Chat went as planned — with the article will be up in a few days and podcast soon to follow. 💚

Until then, take care of what’s in front of you — whether that’s your people, your pets, your passions, or your peace.

Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is simply choose where our energy goes. 

— Uncle Tatt 💫