Where is your cool pool ?

Where is your cool swimming pool?

I love to swim alone in an outdoor pool. I was in one today, cool, fresh and all by myself. It is refreshing and liberating. The water gently enveloping and supporting me as I glide effortlessly through it. Just an easy breast stroke, my head above the surface, my hands parting the water, sculpting heart shaped waves. No strain, no pain, no impact, no sweat. Breathing in the aroma of fresh air, listening to the soothing melody of rippling water. All of my senses in happy harmony, my thoughts drifting and floating in peaceful unison.

There are no other distractions here. If someone else arrives, we don’t talk. We are in our own zones. There are no phones or laptops. No beeps, buzzes, pings or musical alarms. The world is switched off. It’s just me, mind and body, air and water.

Where is your personal cool pool?

We spend way too time and energy in the heat of the battle, under pressure, running to stand still, fighting deadlines, ploughing through task lists, juggling responsibilities. Life is fast, furious and stressful. So we desperately try to run faster and work harder. We are like Canute trying to stop the tide. It’s futile. The more we do, the more there is to do, and the more stressed and exhausted we become. Eventually we are overwhelmed and we burn out.

When does it all stop? It stops when we decide to it to stop. When we decide to hit pause and escape into our personal cool pool. Where we can plug into peace and recharge. Don’t burn out, chill out.

Where is your cool pool, your chill space, your escape room? Maybe it’s a walk in the woods, a corner of the garden, your bedroom, a bench in the park, the shed, a drive in the car, a soak in the bath, the beach. For my daughter-in-law juggling work, life and lively little daughters, it’s a run through the streets, where nobody can find her.

It has to be a place where nobody needs you, interrupts you, distracts you or demands anything from you. A place of peace and quiet. A place with no expectations.

So no, not a hot steamy chorine-soaked public swimming pool. Or the gym, or a social event, or anywhere you need to try hard, compete, interact or “be” someone. You may believe these are places you unwind, but I’m not sure they are.

It does mean leaving your phone behind. A friend of mine has a strict “no phones” rule in her bedroom. A client who realised she could feed her chickens without her phone.

Ideally a place where you can connect with your body – whether walking, swimming, running, yoga, or simply meditative breathing. Where you can consciously watch and listen to nature; outside with trees, rivers, birds and skies, or inside with flowers, candles, coffee or an open fire.

It only takes 15 minutes a day. Although 30 is even better.

Find a time. Find a place. Do yourself a favour, write them down now. Don’t tell me yourself you are too busy.

Nobody else will do this for you. And nobody should stop you. You more than deserve it.