Last night I attended my very first swim lesson.
I’m 35 years old and I don’t know how to swim.
I’ve taught myself to float on my back and will (briefly) submerge my head under water. But only in the shallow end of the pool. When I was in middle school, classmates thought it would be funny to dump me in the deep end because I would learn how to swim that way. Since then, I’ve been very skittish in the deep end of the pool.
Last year i wrote in my Create Your Amazing Year workbook that I would learn how to swim. Somehow 2013 passed me buy without me stepping foot in our aquatics center. So I put “Learn to swim” back on my 100 Things to Do in 2014 list. Even though the our county pool is indoor, I would have much preferred to take swimming classes when there’s no snow (or ice) on the ground. Coming out of the aquatics building with wet hair was no fun, but worth the discomfort.
I didn’t want to stall any longer. No more excuses.
My beginner swim class is called “Totally Terrified.” Not exactly confidence building, right? Now that I’ve spent 30 minutes in a pool sticking my face in the water and blowing bubbles, the class name seems fitting.
I’m not afraid of the water. I didn’t think I would be nervous about the class. I put on my bathing suit before I left home. (I wore my street clothes over it.) As soon as I was all bundled up, my chest started to feel constricted. My first thought was, “Maybe my boobs are too big for this bathing suit.” I adjusted my “girls” but it still felt tight. It was still uncomfortable but I ignored it.
Once I got to the center and slid into the shallow end of the pool, that constricted feeling returned. I took deep breaths as I followed my teacher’s instructions to blow bubbles in the water. As I focused on my instructor, I realized that I was more comfortable in the water than I thought. I even stuck my whole face in the water! I was surprised at how comfortable I became in the pool.
Post swim class selfie with wet hair under my hat
I looked at two of the women in my class. They were terrified of the water and clung to the side of the pool. Eventually, they let go (with help) and walked further out for the side. By the time class was over, they pushed aside their fears to walk further out in the pool and return to the side. They were still frightened but they did it anyway.
Those two women inspired me. The faced their fears even though they were totally terrified.
They were still scared but they did it anyway. How many times have we given up doing something because we were scared? Being scared isn’t comfortable. My chest feels tight and it takes more effort to breathe deeply. Or my stomach churns and all I want to do is lay in bed to hide. Being scared feels awful.
The true test is how you handle being scared. Instead of letting fear take over, embrace it. Once I realized that my chest felt tight because I was scared (and not because my breasts were being smashed by my suit-they weren’t) and that being scared was normal, breathing became easier. I jumped into the pool anyway. (Maybe not jump, but I slid into it.
People always tell us we have to step out of our comfort zone. The women in my class didn’t step out of their comfort zone. To do that, they’d have to hop into the pool and stuck their head underwater. Instead they, the took it one step at a time.
They stretched their comfort zone and made it grow bigger.
Think of your comfort zone as a rubber band. You don’t have to jump outside the band. As you ease into new things, you’re stretching it out. Stretch it enough and it grows bigger. Hopefully next week they’ll return and stretch their comfort zone even more.
I guess I’m learning more than just how to swim.
In case you’re wonder, class went really well for me! I knew much more than I thought I did. I can’t wait to go back!
GO, sister! I really love how you're putting your word of the year, embrace, to work here, embracing your fear and growing your comfort zone, your courage, your very own power. Nicely done! xo
Thank you Ariane! Your writing inspires me too!
I'm so proud of you for taking this on and not chickening out or making excuses about the weather or your suite (so tempting, right?). I generally have a rule when I something that scares me. I try and do it twice. The first time fear colors the experience, but then the second time, I can think more objectively about it. Even if it doesn't lead to a new hobby or interest I can say "that's not for me" and mean it.
I think taking risks in one area of your life–and the confidence you gain from it–spills over into others. Good things ahead for you in 2014!
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Kim, it really wanted to make excuses to stay home. I'm glad I did it. I like your rule of trying something twice before making a decision about it.
Well I am a little older than you and still don't know how to swim while my older kids can swim like fish. This is a very brave step. So proud of you conquering your fears.
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I hope you take swimming lessons soon!
So proud of you! I am 29 and after 3 swim classes in high school I still don't know how to swim. I faced a fear thanks to friends in jamaica last year and jumped into the open ocean you can imagine how freaked out I am Perhaps I need a list of 100 things to accomplish this year too Congrats again on a great start!!!!!!!!
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Congrats to you Ruby! Jumping into the ocean is scary but I'm glad you did it! You should definitely create your own 100 things list.
Good for you for challenging yourself and getting this started. I don't know how to swim either. I keep saying I'll take a class but so far haven't. Maybe I should finally huh?
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You should. I'll cheer you on!
Nice! I never thought to take swim classes and kind of learned just because. What a nice treat to do something you've wanted to do! Have fun!
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That is awesome! I think the calendar pushes you to do things and hold you accountable! I love it. I want to take a sewing class and become fluent in spanish!! Thanks for linking up on Motherhood Monday!
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