Every morning I wake up and check my phone only to see even more horrible news that makes it harder to keep getting up. I’m sure many people feel the same. The constant pummelling of negativity from the world around us makes it hard to go about day-to-day life normally, but we can’t allow it to pull us down. 2026 is the Year of the Horse and it’s fitting for the time we are living through. The horse, especially the fire horse, represents hard work, bravery, and resistance. This year is the year to stand up for what you believe in and, through that, you can motivate others to do the same. The recent Bad Bunny Halftime Show shared an appropriate message for this idea with “the only thing more powerful than hate is love,” embodying what the Year of the Horse represents. It’s hard to continue to spread love in the face of hate, so in this article I will offer some suggestions on how to keep “horsing around” in this hellspace we’re living in.
Eating Your Hay
A popular buzzword these days is doomscrolling. It’s hard to not get sucked into the whirlwind of information thrown at you on a daily basis. It’s important to stay educated but scrolling on social media for hours, especially with all of its misinformation, isn’t healthy. Finding activities offline that can give you a break is a requirement for a happier day-to-day life. A creative hobby is a good option because through it you can express emotions you may otherwise be bottling up. Some of my favorite activities are: scrapbooking/junk journaling, upcycling clothing, photography, writing (personal thoughts, poetry, fanfiction), and drawing.
Go for a Gallop
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your mind is to take a break from it all. Last year, I learned that cognitive rest is an important part of brain health. That’s when you do an activity that doesn’t require you to think. A good example of this is taking a walk in the great outdoors. Nature can be very grounding. There’s so much in the world, and while that can be overwhelming, being reminded that in the expanse of the universe we’re all so small can be freeing. I’m not saying that we should completely ignore the adversity happening around us, but it’s good to recognize that the present isn’t forever.
Tidy Your Stable
The environment you’re living in can have an impact on your mental health whether you like it or not. Living in a mess can equal a messy mind. I know that’s accurate for me, as I always feel better once I clean my room. If you take the time to pick up your space, things just might feel a little bit lighter. It can become a difficult task when you’re really in a funk so don’t be afraid to ask for help. Good friends are willing to help you when you need it. Speaking of good friends, tidying your stable can also mean evaluating the people you interact with. If there’s someone who constantly pushes you down, making you feel worse off, don’t keep them around. I’ve made the hard decision to cut people off in the past and while it sucked at first, in the long run I have been much happier. I promise that after the scary part it will get better.
Finding Your Herd
Having other people who love you unconditionally is so valuable in a world full of hate. I wouldn’t be where I am without my family, blood or otherwise. You get to choose your family and sometimes they find you when you need them most. Being a college student that travelled far, Dallas, TX to Ithaca, NY, I started my first year feeling out of place and a little lost. The people I met in those first couple weeks that stuck around after witnessing my breakdowns and anxiety (thanks guys) are some of the best friends I’ve ever had. Ever since I have allowed myself to love my people freely I have felt more energy to live. I hope you can find a herd like mine if you haven’t already.
Don’t Reign Yourself In
I hope I have been able to give you some inspiration to take into this Year of the Horse. Keeping yourself healthy and full of love is powerful in the time we’re living in. Remember that existence is resistance. Find your sunset field to gallop through, neigh your truth, love your herd, and fuck ICE.
CJ Jones is a First Year TVDM and Screenwriting major with an Art minor who wants to remind us that “existence is resistance.” They can be reached at cjones13@ithaca.edu.