Welcoming in 2026

By Ashley Purdin

2025 was a both/and year. Meaning it was hard, and it was wonderful. There was a pruning back of self, and there was growth. It was a year of losing my identity and finding myself again. It held disappointment, betrayal, heartbreak, and anger. It was also filled with love, adventure, small moments, and reflection.

It’s no secret that my professional life as a horse trainer ended in a bit abruptly. I chose to step back quietly and am thankful that most of my professional relationships remained intact throughout the transition. But the reality of losing the culture I had built—and ultimately my barn—wounded me in a way that I continue to mourn.

I have been very quiet these last six months or so, taking a much-needed step back from social media, from the horse community, and allowing myself time to heal, regroup, and redesign my life. At first, I slept a lot. I went on walks—a lot. I sought out friends—a lot. If this season taught me anything, it’s that your true friends surface when you need them most. And the other people fall away. As mysteriously as they came into my life, they left. And you know what? That’s just part of the process. The weight of carrying negative energy from those who did not fuel my life has fallen away too. Thank God for that.

Looking ahead to 2026, after much thought, I chose the word Ease. I’m not viewing it as simply a word of the year, but as a new chapter. I have always been known for action—for big moves. Jump first, figure out the rest later. It took me far, but it also led me into a chapter I am intentionally closing. I’ll sum it up in one word: striving.

Striving stifles joy.

Striving stifles peace.

Striving drowns out those quiet moments by the fire, surrounded by the people you love.

Striving means your brain never turns off.

Striving means you must always be at your best—and bring your best.

Striving means your best is never enough, that you are never enough.

Striving breeds comparison, competition, and massive consequences for action or inaction.

Striving means protecting your image.

Striving is exhausting. That part of my life is over, regardless of what the next chapter holds. I’m done striving.

Ease means dipping my toe in the water.

Ease means saying no.

Ease means being at peace with myself.

Ease means seeing things as they are and not trying to control every outcome.

Ease is a quiet confidence—an inward acceptance of self and circumstance, and choosing to authentically feel every emotion as it comes. Ease means sitting with people in their pain, their joy, their failures, and their triumphs. Ease means sitting with yourself. It means slowing down the hamster wheel of success. Ease means letting go of what no longer serves you. It means finding your tribe.

We could all use a little more ease in our lives. Certainly, life is hard. Hard things happen. Not every bad thing that happens is a lesson, a punishment, or something carrying secret meaning. But we still have choices to make. Do we let the hard drown us, or do we show back up in a new way—one that better serves us, and by extension, those we hold dear?

Much love, Ashley