Life Lessons on the Farm: Cinnamon’s Zoomies and the Power of Perspective
On the farm, lessons often show up in unexpected ways. One of my favourites comes from Cinnamon, our cow with a big personality and an even bigger heart.
The other day, Cinnamon broke into a full run across the pasture — cow zoomies! She was joyful, bouncing with excitement, thrilled to stretch her legs and feel her friends beside her. From her perspective, life couldn’t be better.
But here’s the funny part: her “friends” didn’t see it that way. The goats thought she was chasing them! They scattered, panicked, convinced they were running for their lives.
Same event. Two completely different experiences.
The Lesson: Perspective Shapes Reality
What we feel in any moment isn’t only about what’s happening. It’s about how we perceive what’s happening. Cinnamon felt joy. The others felt fear. Neither was “wrong,” but their experiences were worlds apart.
Humans are no different. In relationships, two people can experience the exact same situation and emerge with entirely different feelings. One person might see closeness, while the other might feel pressure. One might see playfulness; the other might hear criticism.
What does this mean for therapy?
In Emotion-Focused Therapy, we slow down these moments and get curious about the emotions underneath the surface reactions.
A partner who snaps may be covering up more profound feelings of hurt or fear.
Another partner who withdraws may be protecting themselves from shame or rejection.
Each is experiencing the “same moment” but through a different nervous system lens.
The work isn’t about deciding who’s right. It’s about creating a safe space to explore both perspectives and share the softer, primary emotions underneath. That’s often where couples reconnect — in the shared humanity beneath the protective behaviours.
When we do this, relationships soften. Misunderstandings shrink. And like Cinnamon’s zoomies, life feels lighter and more connected.
Takeaway
Next time you find yourself in conflict, ask:
“What might this look like from my partner’s perspective?”
“What softer emotion might be underneath their reaction?”
You may discover they’re not chasing you at all. They’re just having their own version of zoomies.
If you and your partner often feel like you’re ‘living through the same moment’ but having totally different experiences, you’re not alone. Therapy can help slow things down so both perspectives feel seen. Book a free consult to learn more.