From the Paddock

Why I Write From the Paddock

There is a certain stillness that settles in when I am standing by the fence line, watching my horse graze. The rush of the day slows. The noise fades. And in that moment, with mud on my boots, reins in hand, and the cold wind lifting my hair, I finally breathe.

That space, right there in the paddock, is where I find clarity.

It is also where this blog begins.

From the Paddock is more than a name. It is the place I return to when I need to think deeply, reconnect with myself and begin again. It is where I reflect on my teaching, my riding, my wellbeing, and how I want to show up in the world. All of these things are connected.

I have worked as a teacher across Melbourne, Darwin and regional Victoria. I have supported students through major transitions, helped shape curriculum and wellbeing programs, and contributed steadily from within. But like many educators, I have also found myself stretched thin. Mentally, emotionally and physically. There have been times I have poured so much into others that I have had little left for myself.

The paddock reminds me to slow down. To listen. To notice what is happening beneath the surface, both in my horse and in myself. It teaches me to lead with care rather than control. To pause before reacting. To stay present, even when things feel uncertain.

When I ride, I am constantly learning. My horse does not respond to pressure or force. He responds to trust, patience and clarity. If I bring tension, he reflects it back. If I soften, he meets me. Each ride is a quiet conversation in body language, energy and understanding. Often, what I learn with him mirrors what I need to learn in my professional life too.

This blog is a space for reflection.

It is where I will share thoughts on teaching, self care, personal growth and the quiet work of becoming better. Not louder. Not faster. Just more grounded in who I am and how I show up. Sometimes that means becoming a more thoughtful rider. Sometimes it means becoming a more present teacher. Sometimes it simply means giving myself permission to rest.

I believe growth does not always happen in the spotlight. Sometimes it happens slowly, out in the paddock, one honest moment at a time.

If you have ever needed space to think, time to breathe, or a reminder that you are allowed to take care of yourself while taking care of others, you are welcome here.

This is where I begin again. From the paddock.