The pool and hot tub have closed for the season at my new home and condo where I live. For anyone who follows me on Instagram, you might know from my stories that I’m quite the hot tub enthusiast. I’m usually in there once a week or more, and it provides a much-needed moment to relax and recharge, especially after a challenging and stressful workweek. While soaking I’m typically listening to Yacht Rock or Steely Dan and just generally vibing out while imagining myself in the Florida Keys.
I knew though that they were going to close the pool and hot tub soon and was generally dreading that date. When I arrived home from a vacation this past Monday and was all set with my bikini for an early morning hot tub dip, I was dejected to discover the “Pool Closed” sign on the entrance door and the lukewarm hot tub not worth the last remainder of heat to wade in, though I considered breaking the closure ban nonetheless.
But I’d been anticipating the closing of the pool and hot tub for the season per the HOA guidelines—and I’d been preparing for alternative options so that I could still get in my water time during the winter months.
I discovered there’s a local indoor swim center with a warming pool about fifteen minutes up the road and that they offer open swim times where you can basically do whatever you want—water exercises, lap swims, etc. I hadn’t been to a public pool in quite awhile, but when I went this last Saturday, it was a total joy.
I was so grateful to swim and stretch and expand my body and enjoy this free-floating time in the water—which was absolutely healing and therapeutic on many levels. Though such a simple and inexpensive joy (a mere $7 dollars for the rec swim), I felt so grateful for the experience.
Another thought struck me, too—“Oh, I guess I have something new now.” Meaning that there are so many new things that one can try out, explore, and incorporate into one’s life, and I felt blessed for discovering a new practice that could bring such joy and vitality to my days.
So, in short, my mantra for this season, however the fall winds may blow, is just keep swimming. While I’m not aiming to be Michael Phelps, I surely do look forward to this newly acquired aquatic life and incorporating a new practice into this practice of being.
