Emerging Different
I have so many water stories.
In my mind, we all do. But then I remember not everyone lives a life by the water, not everyone has access, not everyone can swim. And not everyone has the same love for water that circles me on a daily basis.
There is a way that water bonds us, deepens our connections, to the environment and to each other. I kept a log in 2022 of my dips - the where and the who - with intentions of being able to write frequently and freely about these trips to the waters edge, these moments of having the day altered by simply immersing myself into the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. One of the many things I have learned over the last few years of allowing myself to fall even more in love with water, is that we are often a different person once we emerge from the water than we were when we first arrived at her shore. Often, those of us who love this practice are in one state of mind as we drive or make our way to that dipping spot, and by the time we towel off and jump back in the car we are someone else.
The other day I scrambled to meet friends at one of our local spots. We were going to be part of a short documentary, so there would be some interview time and then all of us dipping together. And cameras. And a small crew. We sat on blankets and shared stories and encouragement, then headed into that choppy water together laughing and settling into the cold. By the time I left I felt lighter, happier, and extremely grateful. Grateful I found this community, that I live so close to the coast, that I get to do this. I cranked the radio in my car and sang the whole way home.
That is not who I was on drive over. I was weighted with worry, agitated at the crappy music on the car radio, wanting to hide at home on the couch with a good book. But also wanting to see my dipping pals and feeling very overdue for a cold dip and a serious reset.
I needed that dip, and I needed those moments of connection. Probably more than I was willing to admit until after the fact. We are often one person when we arrive, and a whole new person by the time we have emerged. And that day I needed to shake off that heavy hearted person a bit and get on with it.
Grateful for the reminder.
