How I Accidentally Became an Open Water Swimmer
Sometimes the best things happen when you say "this is fun!"
Welcome to Story Sunday, where I share the chapters that led me here. Today's story is about how I accidentally became an open-water swimmer and what it taught me about starting over at 46.
The "This is Fun!" Moment
It started with a single swim. My dear friend took me to the lake for a swim on my birthday about ten years ago. First, I was surprised that we were allowed to swim in lakes in Washington since it was forbidden back home in Colorado. Second, I remember the feeling of sheer awe and freedom that comes from being out in nature in a way that is often forgotten (nature resides in the deep and on land).
But I remember the moment that changed everything. I was out there in the open water, no pool walls, no black line on the bottom to follow, just me and the vast unknown beneath my feet. And instead of panicking (which would have been reasonable), I thought: "Ya know, this is fun!"
That moment - that simple recognition of unexpected joy - became the foundation of something I never saw coming.
What Open Water Swimming Actually Is
For those who haven't experienced it, open water swimming is nothing like pool swimming. In a pool, you can see the bottom, you know exactly how far you have to go, and the water temperature is regulated for human comfort.
Open water swimming is the opposite of all that. You can't see what's beneath you. The conditions change constantly - weather, currents, temperature. You're dealing with seaweed, jellyfish, and whatever else calls that water home. It's uncomfortable, unpredictable, and requires a level of trust that feels almost spiritual.
Sound familiar? It's basically a metaphor for starting over in life.
The Training Nobody Warns You About
I learned that open-water swimming isn't just about physical training—it's also mental training for dealing with uncertainty.
Mental strength: Swimming when you can't see the bottom teaches you to move forward despite not knowing what's beneath you.
Trust: You have to trust your body, trust the water, trust the process. You can't control the conditions, only your response to them.
Presence: When you're in open water, you're completely in the moment. There's no room for mental wandering when you're focused on breathing, navigating, and not panicking.
Resilience: In cold water, rough conditions, and unexpected challenges, you learn to push through discomfort because stopping isn't really an option.
Solo but supported: You're out there alone, but usually with a few fellow swimmers. You have to be self-reliant while accepting help when you need it.
The Connection to Starting Over
Every single lesson from open water swimming applies to reinventing your life:
You can't see the bottom (you don't know what's coming next), conditions change constantly (life throws curveballs), and you have to trust the process even when it's uncomfortable as hell.
The cold shock wears off if you don't panic. Sometimes you need a wetsuit (support systems), sometimes you go without. You can't control the water; it is only your response to it.
The "Try Something New" Framework
Here's what open water swimming taught me about trying new things:
Start small - I didn't start with a marathon swim. One time in the water, paying attention to how it felt.
Notice what feels good - That "this is fun!" moment was crucial information. Your body and soul know things your brain hasn't figured out yet.
Ignore the "what ifs" - Yes, there might be sharks. There might be jellyfish. You might get tired, cold, or scared. Do it anyway.
Get proper support - swim buoy, wetsuit, and experienced swimmers. You don't have to do everything alone.
Embrace the unknown - The whole point is that you can't control everything. That's not a bug, it's a feature.
The Deeper Lesson
What if that thing you tried once and thought "this is fun!" is waiting for you to come back? What if your next chapter is hiding in plain sight, disguised as something you dismissed as "just a hobby," or "not practical," or "not a real career"?
Open water swimming taught me that some of the most important things in life happen when you stop trying to see the bottom and start trusting your ability to stay afloat.
Today's Challenge
What hobby are you scared to try because it seems too hard, too expensive, too time-consuming, or too impractical? What if you tried it once, just to see if you get that "this is fun!" feeling?
Sometimes the best things happen when you say yes to something that makes no logical sense but feels right in your gut.
Sometimes you have to get in the cold water to find out you're stronger than you thought.
Story Sunday: The chapters that led me here. What story is calling to you?
