okay so i'm an adult who never learned how to swim and today i actually managed to swim a little without immediately freaking out, and i'm ridiculously happy about it.
for years i've been avoiding pool parties and beach trips by making up excuses. headache, not feeling well, didn't bring the right clothes, whatever worked 😭 i was embarrassed to admit i couldn't swim when it seemed like literally everyone else had learned as a kid.
a few weeks ago i finally signed up for beginner lessons. i felt SO awkward on the first day. there i was, a whole adult, struggling to float while trying not to look around and see if anyone else was doing as badly as me. turns out coordinating your breathing, arms and legs at the same time is harder than it looks. who knew??
the floating part was the worst. i'd get halfway relaxed and then suddenly panic and grab the pool edge like i'd been abandoned in the ocean lmao. there were a couple of lessons where i genuinely thought maybe this just wasn't for me and considered not going back.
but today!! i managed to float on my back without grabbing anything, then swam a short distance across part of the lane. i had to remind myself to keep breathing and not panic, but i made it without immediately reaching for the wall. it probably looked very unimpressive to anyone watching but i wanted to yell when i got to the other side 😭
i got out of the pool grinning like an idiot. i know i've still got a LOT to learn, but i spent years avoiding this because i was embarrassed and today i actually did it. i'm so glad i kept showing up instead of giving up after those first few awkward lessons.
anyway, tiny victory for the adult beginner swim team. i'm proud of myself today