This morning, after walking Jilly, I headed to the beach for a sea swim: it was cold and invigorating. As I swam East facing the early morning sun, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to float for a few seconds, feeling the warmth of the sun on my face in contrast to the cold which had enveloped my body. Uncharacteristically, I had forgotten my swimming gloves which almost stopped me from entering the water, but the lure was too strong and so I went in. Surprisingly my hands warmed up in a matter of moments and I swam for 10 glorious minutes.
Early morning swimming has a very different feel to it, particularly living on the East as there is an inherent connection with the sun rising. Most days the air is soft and calm, the wind light and the sea hasn’t yet woken to its potential for chaos. Most open water swimmers swear by an early morning swim, and can be seen daily, entering the water in small groups, mostly on the West beach. I have been invited to join some of these groups but I can be quite shy, so will hold back before I commit to potentially exposing myself to mistakes or misunderstandings. This is a hangover from childhood, doesn’t really bother me and is one I'm unlikely to shake off anytime soon. I do have close friendship groups, and I will join a group for an activity, but I am wary about joining established friendship groups, worrying about what I bring to the party and often slink off alone, to avoid being over-organised.
However, back in 2020 I was keen to join a swimming group because we were coming out of lockdown, and as someone who lives on their own, I was in need of company, and support for my early forays into cold water swimming. My friendship with one of the group, Carole-Anne, came about during the clapping for the NHS: we would lean out of our respective windows, across the street from each other and clap. Over time this clap became more than just supporting the NHS workers, and as much about looking forward to seeing my neighbour. As restrictions started to lift, I was able to entertain Carole-Anne and her husband, Neil, with coffee in my garden and it was during one of these sessions that sea swimming was first mentioned. I leapt at the opportunity, donned a lightweight supermarket wetsuit, waded into the sea brimming with confidence and excitement, exited 10 minutes later, crying with the pain of being so cold, because of Raynaud’s Syndrome, asked when we were meeting again and haven’t looked back!
Time and tide do play an important part in my decision to swim on any given day, but I became slightly fixated that high tide was the best time to swim, so I probably have missed out, but I realise that the tide height really doesn’t matter, so long as it is safe to swim.
Unfortunately most of the NBS swimming group have work and family commitments so regular meetings are few and far between, but I have persuaded a couple of close friends and most recently my partner, Ronnie to join me and coaching them past their fears and anxieties about being cold has further motivated me in my desire to swim regularly.
When asked to describe how cold water swimming makes me feel, my response is always: It's like having my reset button activated. Niggles, worries and woes seem to dissipate on the surface of the sea before being wafted far away. Open water swimming forces my subconscious brain to take over, because I have to be mindful of how my body is responding to the cold. By tuning into my subconscious brain, I become mindful of what is actually happening in the present moment - this is why meditation, massage, hypnotherapy and coaching can be so powerful in unlocking the potential for change. When I get a shiver deep within my core, I know it is time to get out, whether I have been swimming for 2 minutes or 20 minutes. This is usually only a concern in Winter, but I pay close attention throughout the year, because air temperature is a contributing factor when trying to warm up.
This week I have been encouraged to rise early and swim, because the weather has been kind and I’m going to make the most of this particular seasonal shift before the much colder days force me to consider a safe swimming routine. As I approach the 3rd anniversary of my open water swimming journey, I can reflect that I have come a long way: the effects of Raynaud’s Syndrome have significantly diminished as borne out by swimming without gloves this morning; my energy levels are higher and more sustainable after a morning swim, and by tuning into my subconscious brain I have been inspired and motivated to practise my guitar, complete an oil pastel sketch and enroll on a free 8 day art course called Find Your Joy.
It is not a cliché to be reminded that change takes time and change can be hard. If I had not persevered with an inner desire to partake in open water swimming, I would likely be walking on the beach watching all the sea swimmers with a tinge of envy and possibly resentment, consoling myself with consciously ‘valid’ excuses not to go in the water: it’s too cold, I’m too busy, I didn’t really want to do it, I tried it, it’s not for me. The reality is the only person I would be fooling is myself.
If you find yourself making the same mistakes or coming up against the same barriers, coaching might be the very thing to unlock you. You won’t know until you try. A discovery discussion is free and puts you under no obligation whatsoever. I will listen carefully and you can ask me questions. Let me know your budget, and we can agree what works best for you.
Coaching with me can keep you on track as you continue on your well-being journey.
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