I went swimming
Public lake (though $7 parking, blech). Pretty crowded because of course I gathered my courage and whim on a Saturday. But I went out there and... swam!
Mostly waded and floated (I'm so much less buoyant than I remember... less fat) and paddled ineffectually. Eventually went under, then went under for a flip which gave me that *wonderful* butterflies feeling I'd missed so much.
I rediscovered this really strange effect where if I dip the back of my head into the water, I hear this high pitched tingly hum. I don't think it's my ears. I think it used to happen even when the back of my head was buzzed short (booo). It was oddly comforting, like a carrier wave for some pleasant nostalgia...
Reminded me of the dream where I am an angel and I "see" with my hair
Didn't really have a plan. Watched people, mainly watched the boaters out beyond the perimeter. I was a bit overdressed, for obvious reasons, but that doubled as sun protection and I was mostly immersed anyway. The heat and harsh sun dried my clothes FAST when I got out. I sat on the beach and texted some friends happy feelings, then relocated into shade and watched the sun get lower.
I certainly still felt out of place among so many young people, but it was fine. I really needed it. was a lot more tolerable than a swimming pool, that's for sure.
I keep imagining going in a proper swimsuit, but... I don't want to do that alone. which means its not happening anytime soon.
But that's okay~ The whole-body workout was a great start. I feel happier and more confident, and really really needed this. I hadn't been immersed for any reason for
2 years, and I was getting obsessed about that.
(definitely going on a weekday next time, and maybe somewhere that doesn't charge so much)