Knee-Deep In Life: Learning to Respect My Limits

I remember my first time swimming, I was around form 3...never been around pools like that but I had an innate fear of drowning. I decided to ignore that sickening feeling in my gut and just jumped in. Spent 5 seconds frantically waving my arms and kicking my legs at an attempt to stay alive. I survived and got the hang of swimming (a lil bit).

My second experience with swimming was at the beach in Port St.Johns when I was 18. It was a nice family outing and I was comfortable around the edge of the water where it barely reached my knees. I looked ahead and saw my cousins deep in the waters with the rest of the crowd. Foolishly recalling my past experience in the pool I thought I'd get the hang of it, you know just like back then. Boy was I wrong, I was pushed under by the waves and dragged left and right by this force of nature. I'm still traumatised till this day.

Will I go swimming at a pool again? Yes, because it's safer, more manageable. Will I go way out at the beach again? Absolutely not. The sheer scale of the waters is beyond my ability to swim or rather doggy paddle and that's fine. Staying where the water is knee level doesn't mean I'm missing out. It's just what I can handle.

Taking risks in life is also the same. That is in most contexts...it's about knowing your limits and being comfortable with them. Just like I learned to respect the ocean's power and stick to knee-deep water, I've come to realize that life's about finding what works for you.

Taking risks can be exciting, but it's essential to understand what you're capable of handling. For some, that might mean diving headfirst into new challenges, while for others, it's about taking small steps and building confidence.

My experience with swimming taught me that it's okay to say no to things that make you uncomfortable or feel beyond your control. You don't have to push yourself to extremes to have fun or enjoy life. Sometimes, the simplest things – like playing in the shallow end – can be just as enjoyable.

It's about being honest with yourself about what you can handle and what makes you feel safe and happy. Whether it's trying new hobbies, making new friends, or pursuing new opportunities, it's crucial to listen to your instincts and take things at your own pace.

Just some clouds...

In the end, life's not about comparing yourself to others or trying to keep up with someone else's pace. It's about finding your own rhythm and enjoying the journey, even if that means staying in the shallow end.