Wild Swimming..

Cotter Falls - The Yorkshire Dales

Last weekend, I did something I never thought I’d do. I went wild swimming.

The water was cold, sharp against my skin, and for a split second I questioned whether I’d made a huge mistake. But then something happened. As I pushed past the initial shock, my breath steadied, and I felt this incredible surge of energy — as if my whole body had woken up.

I can only describe it as elation. Pure, natural joy. The kind that takes you by surprise and makes you laugh out loud in the middle of a lake.

When I climbed out, dripping wet and grinning, I felt so proud of myself. Not because I swam fast or far, but because I did it. I stepped out of my comfort zone, faced the fear, and discovered something new about myself.

And the truth is — I’m hooked. I can’t wait to go again. Although if I am honest it would need to be a warm sunny day!!

Wild swimming has reminded me that sometimes the best moments in life are the ones where we dare to try. They might feel uncomfortable at first, but on the other side is a sense of freedom, resilience, and connection that nothing else can quite match.

Maybe for you it’s not swimming — maybe it’s a new hobby, a long-forgotten passion, or simply saying yes to something you’d normally shy away from. Whatever it is, I promise: the pride you’ll feel is worth it.

So here’s to new experiences, cold water, and the joy of surprising ourselves.

All my love Helen xx