Get in the Water and Enjoy Yourself !
Today’s guest post is from Elizabeth Eales – Pool, Open Water Swimmer and Swim Buddy Network Member
I was really happy when I was asked to write a guest post for SBN – I suspect my friends, family and colleagues get a bit fed up with me talking about swimming all the time. So now I get to talk to all of you for a few minutes.
Let me first start by introducing myself. My name is Elizabeth, I’m 40 years old and work as a mental health nurse, when I’m not in the water I’m a bit of a crazy cat lady and love doing embroidery. I have always enjoyed swimming and remember as a child daydreaming about how wonderful it would be to be a dolphin and live in the water. However my passion for swimming has been reignited over the last few years particularly.
In 2018 a friend suggested we did the diabetes UK Swim 22 challenge and I’d say that’s when I became so much more focused on swimming regularly. For me swimming is very much about managing my mental health. As someone who has been dogged with anxiety and depression for many years it is something I use to help me manage my wellbeing. I know when I’m feeling bad if I can manage to get to the pool I will come away feeling better.
Last year whilst having a particularly bad episode of ill health it was an absolute lifeline and doing the swim 22 challenge really helped with motivating me to get in the water on the days I couldn’t be bothered. I’m a very very slow swimmer, due to the fact I’m very overweight. I’m totally in awe of what the other members of Swim Buddy Network achieve and I love the ethos of the group that we are bounded by a love of swimming and celebrate everyone from the snails of the group like me to the dolphins.
I get so frustrated when people say they can’t go swimming because of how they look/ their size, I have found it to be such an inclusive experience. Don’t get me wrong I have to take a deep breath and remind myself I have a right to be in the pool when I worry about getting in peoples ways due to how slow I am, but 99% of the time my experiences of other swimmers is just encouraging. And actually who cares what you look like in a swimming costume, jammers, berkinis or whatever you choose to wear, just get in and join the fun!
This year has just been amazing for me. With much encouragement from someone who won’t be named (Simon) I with some trepidation signed up to do the swimathon 2.5km. I was very nervous, my anxiety was on overdrive that day. My hope was that I would manage to swim it in the time that most people do the 5km and that is what I did. It was so outside my comfort zone it was unreal but once I finished I couldn’t stop smiling for days. Again the encouragement I received from other swimmers at the event (& on Facebook) was lovely and made memories I treasure.
Most recently I have been fortunate enough to tick something of the bucket list and start wild swimming. I have found the most amazing inclusive group of women via the wonders of Facebook. Words fail me to describe the joy this has brought into my life, getting into nature and out of my comfort zone again. Swimming in rivers, mill ponds and the sea. It’s just the most amazing experience. And wish me luck because next week a few of us are doing a 2.5km Swim in The Cam, whilst wearing fascinators and pearls, because? Well why not?! The thing I’d love people to take away from this blog post is that it doesn’t matter what shape, size or ability you are just get in the water and enjoy yourself!
Beautifully put Elizabeth. Swimming is my ‘go to’ for everything that happens in my head, good and bad, and anyone can join it at any level 🙂
It is wonderful to see how much pleasure you are getting out of this, especially the wild swimming. You look so happy in the photos.
Mum xxx
What a wonderful article! I too have used swimming to manage my mental health. Wild swimming is my passion and Ifni could I would swim every day.
I’ve been lucky enough to meet you recently and have loved your bubbly positive contribution to the swims we have shared.
Keep swimming and keep writing!
A magnificent read, thanks for sharing
Dear Elizabeth – I am so proud of you for pushing forward. I have a T shirt that says I swim to beat back the crazy.
You are so right about this group being supportive, fun and full of fantastic people always will to encourage you. Keep up the great work. I look forward to seeing your posts. Just keep swimming