The article reflects on the author's evolution in their relationship with water, marked by an initial fear stemming from childhood. A pivotal moment occurred during a friend's birthday in Cornwall, where a group skinny-dipped in the sea, leading to a transformative experience filled with laughter and adrenaline. This newfound love for water led the author to explore wild swimming, paralleling their profession as a doctor in psychiatry. They ponder the therapeutic potential of swimming for patients grappling with a lack of control in their lives, suggesting it offers a liberating sense of agency.
"Growing up, I learned not to trust water. I was a poor swimmer and splashing in the sea on holiday always had a hard edge to it."
"It was a total sensory overload. Salt filled my nose and mouth. I heard shrieks and cursing, and so much laughter."
"I think many people feel powerless over finances, reproductive choices, living situations, our own bodies and minds... Wild swimming won't solve... but I wonder how many of my patients might benefit from the feeling of agency that comes after a swim."
"I proceeded nervously at first, like a puppy suspicious of a new toy, fighting the urge to jump right in or run away."
Collection
[
|
...
]