Learning to Swim in My Late 40s (Embracing the Water and My Inner Child)
Summer Series: Learning to Swim in My Late 40s (Embracing the Water and My Inner Child)
I was having a conversation the other day with a group of Black women who proudly shared that they can swim. I looked at them with amazement and admiration—they were rock stars in my eyes! Listening, I couldn't help but reflect on why I never learned to swim. Sure, I wasn’t raised with a pool, but there was likely one somewhere in my community. Then, I had to be honest with myself—the true reason was most likely rooted in my childhood fear of getting my hair wet.
Getting my hair wet presented a hardship for my mom. She had to donate time washing, pressing, and styling my hair. It was easier to just not get it wet. This practical avoidance deprived me of those magical moments of jumping into the water, feeling fearless and free, and splashing around without a care in the world. My hair stayed dry, but a part of my childhood joy remained untouched by the refreshing embrace of water.
As I look back, I realize that avoiding the water was more than just a hair issue. It was a missed opportunity to conquer fears, embrace new experiences, and connect with an essential life skill. The inner child in me is calling out, yearning for those carefree moments. So, I’ve decided—it's time to get my hair wet and finally learn to swim.
Learning to swim in my late 40s is more than just acquiring a new skill. It's a journey of self-discovery, healing, and liberation. It's about challenging old fears, breaking down barriers, and allowing myself the freedom to enjoy life fully. It's about letting go of the excuses and societal pressures that kept me away from the water for so long.
I wonder how many others share this experience. What are the reasons you never learned to swim, or conversely, the reasons you did learn? Did societal norms, family dynamics, or personal fears play a role? Were there cultural expectations that shaped your relationship with the water?
For those who learned to swim, what pushed you to take the plunge? Was it a sense of adventure, the encouragement of friends and family, or a desire for self-improvement? Your stories inspire me, and I believe they can inspire others too.
To anyone out there who feels they’ve missed their chance to learn—know that it’s never too late. Whether you’re motivated by a childhood dream, a fitness goal, or simply the desire to try something new, embrace the water and let it teach you about resilience, freedom, and joy. Let’s break the cycle of missed opportunities and create new memories that include the exhilaration of swimming.
I invite you to share your reasons and experiences. Why didn’t you learn to swim, or why did you? Let’s start a dialogue, encourage each other, and perhaps inspire more of us to take the plunge. Together, we can redefine what it means to be fearless and free—starting with getting our hair wet.
Here's to embracing the water and the joy that comes with it.
I was having a conversation the other day with a group of Black women who proudly shared that they can swim. I looked at them with amazement and admiration—they were rock stars in my eyes! Listening, I couldn't help but reflect on why I never learned to swim. Sure, I wasn’t raised with a pool, but there was likely one somewhere in my community. Then, I had to be honest with myself—the true reason was most likely rooted in my childhood fear of getting my hair wet.
Getting my hair wet presented a hardship for my mom. She had to donate time washing, pressing, and styling my hair. It was easier to just not get it wet. This practical avoidance deprived me of those magical moments of jumping into the water, feeling fearless and free, and splashing around without a care in the world. My hair stayed dry, but a part of my childhood joy remained untouched by the refreshing embrace of water.
As I look back, I realize that avoiding the water was more than just a hair issue. It was a missed opportunity to conquer fears, embrace new experiences, and connect with an essential life skill. The inner child in me is calling out, yearning for those carefree moments. So, I’ve decided—it's time to get my hair wet and finally learn to swim.
Learning to swim in my late 40s is more than just acquiring a new skill. It's a journey of self-discovery, healing, and liberation. It's about challenging old fears, breaking down barriers, and allowing myself the freedom to enjoy life fully. It's about letting go of the excuses and societal pressures that kept me away from the water for so long.
I wonder how many others share this experience. What are the reasons you never learned to swim, or conversely, the reasons you did learn? Did societal norms, family dynamics, or personal fears play a role? Were there cultural expectations that shaped your relationship with the water?
For those who learned to swim, what pushed you to take the plunge? Was it a sense of adventure, the encouragement of friends and family, or a desire for self-improvement? Your stories inspire me, and I believe they can inspire others too.
To anyone out there who feels they’ve missed their chance to learn—know that it’s never too late. Whether you’re motivated by a childhood dream, a fitness goal, or simply the desire to try something new, embrace the water and let it teach you about resilience, freedom, and joy. Let’s break the cycle of missed opportunities and create new memories that include the exhilaration of swimming.
I invite you to share your reasons and experiences. Why didn’t you learn to swim, or why did you? Let’s start a dialogue, encourage each other, and perhaps inspire more of us to take the plunge. Together, we can redefine what it means to be fearless and free—starting with getting our hair wet.
Here's to embracing the water and the joy that comes with it.
