Happy Sunday! 🏖️

A few years back I started swimming. It was such great exercise, helped with my mood and mental health, and just made me feel good. And then I stopped. I cancelled my gym membership and didn’t swim again…until this past week.

I had thought about getting back in the pool many times over the past few years, but kept making excuses and just felt a little too beat up by life, and had gotten too far away from the good feelings that I used to experience when I did swim. But on June 30th, I signed back up and was determined that July was going to be my month to start my new journey in the pool. I pulled out by goggles, bathing suits, ear plugs, and swim cap, ready to take on this new challenge for me. Being away from something for a while makes it really hard to start back up again.

But after packing my bag and getting ready to go, for an entire week, I felt frozen and unable to push myself out the door to get to the pool. I envisioned myself getting up early, and going for a swim to start my day. For a full week, I just couldn’t do it. I kept finding other things to do, or conviced myself I needed another hour or two to sleep, when the reality is, I was nervous and afraid.

In the years that have passed, I’ve gotten more out of shape, gained weight, had periods of anxiety and just couldn’t see myself walking out of the locker room into the pool area, getting in, and swimming the 50-70 laps I had been up to when I stopped. In that week after I signed up, I felt insecure, self-conscious, and afraid that I wouldn’t be able to even swim 10 laps anymore.

I’m happy to say that on a Monday, I decided that no matter how I was feeling, I was getting in that pool. I forced myself to put on my bathing suit, pick my head up, and walk through the locker room to the pool. My first day back I was able to swim 30 laps, and was so proud of myself. That first step motivated me to keep going. By the time you read this, I will have gone swimming 4 times this week. Well, that’s if I got up this morning and went. Lol

I share this because I think we all have fears about starting things, or starting over. Whether it’s an exercise routine, or school, or dating, or going to therapy, or learning a new hobby, it’s not easy to move beyond your fears. Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of embarrassment, or one of the millions of other ways we allow fear to hold us back.

This week, I challenge you to think about something you have been wanting to start, but haven’t. Think about what’s holding you back and what you can do to push forward. I promise you, if you get back to it, the results will make you proud, even if you fall short of your goal. Just keep going. You can do it! I’ll be cheering for you from the pool. 🏊🏼‍♀️

Positively yours,

Pebbles 💜

👋🏾 A happy 4-year-old boy transforms his neighborhood with a wave and a hi!

🧁 Woman’s front porch bakery has customers lining up for hours!

💖 The comment section you didn’t know you needed. “Show me how rich you are, but without anything material.

🐶 Newly adopted dog refuses to let go of new owner’s hand.

I recently read an article about 5 Habits To Build Lasting Happiness in Your Life. One of those habits was to spend 120 minutes a week in nature. It reminded me of a young woman named Izzy who has Instagram and YouTube accounts where she talks about nature. She is just so sweet, and watching her videos felt so calming. Hope it inspires you to get in your 120 minutes in nature.