Deep water
So many times we wonder where our rescuer is when we have made no indication that we are in trouble.
We get so accustomed to fighting just to keep our heads above water that it doesn’t register that we are actually losing the battle until we start swallowing water. The turning point between swimming and drowning is swift and difficult to detect. Our friends may miss it if they turn their heads for a moment.
Our loved ones, aware of our independent nature, mistake our drowning for waving. It probably doesn’t help that most of us would be only too happy to drown if we looked chic doing it. Precious time is lost.
There are many ways out short out this circuit and break the pattern. Depending on how drastic a change you are prepared to make, the following are a few of your options:
Small changes
- Carry a signal, like a flare or a whistle. This way you can call for help quickly if you need it. It is light weight and won’t be hard to carry. i.e. call a friend when you need to
- Take an inflatable dingy with you. This way you won’t need a rescuer. It’s heavier to carry and could be a little cumbersome. i.e. find an outlet, be it meditation, a weekend away, a massage.
Big changes
- Get out of the deep water. This means you need to take a step back until your tippy toes can reach the bottom. Yes you may have to slow down for a little while but you can go deeper when you are stronger and can swim effortlessly. i.e. find a counsellor, change your job, change your relationship
2 comments
This is so true, especially the big change part. We sometimes get so used to treading water and keeping on swimming that we get weak and when the point comes when we need our strength we have none left to give. It can be in the best of interest for people to take steps back to an area where we are secure and safe and then we’ll be twice as ready for the challenge.
However we should also keep in mind that being in over your head can be challenging, but that doesn’t mean you should get scared, flail, and try to hurry back to the shallow end. Sometimes you’ve gotta test the limits of your ability because you’ll be amazed at what you can do!
Great point Elisa. The deep end isn’t a ‘bad place’ or inherentely scary on its own. By the same token our fearlessness sometimes gets us into trouble. When we become overwhelmed the first time we learn what drowning fels like. The second time we try some coping mechanisms – hopefully my ideas will inform those of us who have experienced ‘drowning’ and aren’t interested in going there yet again =)