The South Dakota Cowgirl

Life on the Ranch Through My Lens

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11 Things

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Reverb 10 wants to know: What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life?

I can’t think of a 11 things per say that I need to get rid of. My life is pretty awesome and fun as it is. But I can think of a few things I could do better.

1. Time Management.

I tend to get bogged down in routine. I don’t mean to, but I typically spend about 2 hours a morning doing stuff that isn’t necessary to get through my day. It’s my me time- I blog, drink my coffee, catch up on news and reading- and often that means I don’t get out of the house until 9:30 or 10am.

2. Doing things on my own.

I may or may not have mentioned that My Cowboy has gone back to work in town. Which means that I am left to my own devices every day. I made that sound dangerous, didn’t I? It might be, really. I love to ride colts, but when you’re used to having someone with you everyday to do what you love to do, sometimes it’s sucks the life out of your passion until you’ve adjusted. I’m in that place right now, and I hope it doesn’t last too long. I know, I know it’s a choice to get over it, but the weather outside is frightful, and that’s certainly not helping me at all!

3. Taking Risks.

I, of all people should know that life is full of risks. And sometimes, you simply need to take a leap of faith to be successful. I’m going to try to take more risks in 2011- by putting myself out there with new photography projects, jewelry, writing and by running our internship program here at the ranch on my own. And I bet I start a colt or two by myself too! I am perfectly capable, I just need to believe in myself and my ability as much as those around me, specifically My Cowboy do.

4. Organization.

I am going to really work on this one- not only in the very end of 2010 but in 2011 as well. I’m going to de-clutter and hopefully simplify. I have had a bit of an identity crisis this year, insomuch as I no longer live in the city- and a lot of the clothes/shoes/bags I once cherished have become less meaningful to me. I had this realization while I was in Vegas. Looking through the high-end shops of BeBe and BCBG, Kenneth Cole, etc I realized that while I find that type of fashion, gorgeous and endearing, and something I used to want to wear, I saw it as less practical and not needed in my current situation. And if I’m being completely honest and realistic that girl isn’t per-say who I am. Not that I’m not just as comfortable in a little black dress- because I am. But I’m certainly just as comfortable on the back of a horse- and that’s where I am in my life.

I’m not sure how much of my previous wardrobe I’ll let go- but some if it is definitely going.

Furthermore, since we’re limited for space in this house, simplifying and organizing is a good thing. For someone like me who freaks out at clutter, I need to do this!

5. Exercise.

I used to love to run. Like 20-25 miles a week, love to run. And I’d bike at least that many or more, as well. I have to get back into that routine. Being out in the prairie where you run with rattlesnakes and coyotes will suck the running wind right out of your sails, and I’ve got to find a way to re-inflate them. And if it’s not running, then Yoga and biking need to become part of my daily routine.

What are the things you can change about your life in the coming year? Are they things you need to get rid of, or things you need to change? Things you need to do? I’d love to hear from you!

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About ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Jenn Zeller is the creative mind and boss lady behind The South Dakota Cowgirl. She is an aspiring horsewoman, photographer, brilliant social media strategist and lover of all things western.

After a brief career in the investment world to support her horse habit (and satisfy her mother, who told her she had to have a “real” job after graduating college), she finally took the leap and stepped away from a regular income; trading the business suit once and for all for cowgirl boots, a hat, and jeans. She has not looked back.

When Jenn first moved to The DX Ranch on the South Dakota plains, she never imagined she’d find herself behind a camera lens capturing an authentic perspective of ranching, and sharing it with others. Jenn has always been called to artistry, and uses music, writing, images, home improvement, and her first true love of horses to express her ranching passion.

Horses are the constant thread and much of her work centers around using her unique style of writing to share her horsemanship journey with others in publications such as CavvySavvy, the AQHA Ranching Blog, the West River Eagle, the family ranch website, and her own website.

Using photography to illustrate her stories has created other opportunities -- Jenn’s brand “The South Dakota Cowgirl” has grown to the level of social media “Influencer”. This notoriety has led to work with Duluth Trading Company, Budweiser, Wyoming Tourism, Vice, Circle Z Ranch and Art of the Cowgirl, to name a few. She also serves as a brand ambassador for Woodchuck USA, Arenus Equine Health, Triple Crown Feed and Just Strong fitness apparel. Her photography has been featured by Instagram, Apple, TIME Magazine, The Huffington Post, and Oprah Magazine. Jenn’s work has been published internationally, has been seen in several books and has graced the covers of several magazines.

Jenn became a social media influencer by accident when she started to explore Instagram as a way to share her life on the ranch with folks that don’t get to experience it. It’s grown into an incredible platform that she uses to empower women, create an environment for self improvement and share life on the ranch.

When she’s not working, she loves to drink coffee, play with her naughty border collie named Copper, start ranch colts, and run about the country chasing cans. Her mother still thinks she doesn’t have a “real” job.

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