The gyms have been closed so I swam in a lake at Raccoon Creek State Park and Moraine State Park. I swam two days in a row. The sun was perfect and lifted my spirits. I nearly teared up as I approached the water because I almost couldn’t believe I would get to swim again. I think it’s fitting that my first swim since the virus outbreak wasn’t in a swimming pool… it felt much more natural. I even saw a water snake.
There is something to be said about eco psychology. It really may work for some people, and I think it works for me. Intuitively it just makes sense. People weren’t meant to sit inside all day staring at a screen. That’s not what your body was meant to do. Your heart was meant to pump as you run through the forest and plunge into the sea (or lake if no sea is available π )
I have to remind myself of this. It’s ok to do what feels natural to me even if other people don’t understand. I try to take breaks. I always say “I just want to be outside.” Ever since I was little… that’s all I ever wanted to do. It was my solution for everything. I ran to nature. To the trees. To the flowers. To be amongst them when disturbed. They held space for me when I couldn’t articulate to humans what was happening. I implore you to try to sit quietly immersed in nature when you feel upset. You’ll never be alone or judged there.
The world is insane right now and I feel compelled to write about it and retreat into nature. I suppose I can do both. I did go to a thankfully peaceful protest of police brutality on Monday. It was profound and I am still processing it. Maybe I will do some writing about it. I am emerging from under the weight of my dissertation slowly. The final copy was submitted.
βπ»
Much love
Natalie
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Eternal Ocean of Words 
“I nearly teared up as I approached the water because I almost couldnβt believe I would get to swim again. I think itβs fitting that my first swim since the virus outbreak wasnβt in a swimming pool⦔
Oh wow, yeah I know the feeling of going swimming for the first time in ages. Even more crazy when it’s your only way to get intense cardiac/aerobic exercise!
That lake looks like the best place to swim outdoors! I always feel safer in lakes because there’s no currents, although waves are fun :). I also feel better when there are other people on the shore.
I miss the skin complexion from regular swimming now! π. There’s an outdoor swim centre here at a lake that I plan to go to eventually. Their website describes all these covid rules at the moment which seems like they’d ruin the fun. We can’t just freely swim in lakes here plus they have to be designated as swim lakes in order to be clean enough. That lake there looks like a huge lake!
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It certainly was refreshing.
People were following covid rules for the most part and staying away from each other.
I do like lakes. But sometimes I get freaked out because the water isnβt always clear. lol a fish actually jumped at my face once.
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