Love this! I jump in a cold shower every morning after working out (granted, not as starkly cold as the ocean) and it makes me feel so alive (and young 😬). I love hate it every time, like you said.
Also, I voted for travel content but somewhat reluctantly 😂… specifically, I’d love to learn more about traveling to places and in ways that don’t diminish quality of life for the inhabitants and culture. I don’t see people talking about this much, yet, and it feels very needed.
My wife and I are debating between Italy, Portugal, or staying in the United States.
But, just talking about it, it feels like we need to spread our wings and go to Europe, so we’d love to learn about how to get settled with your view of the ocean.
Oh really Raul? I had no idea! I think it's a good idea to come over here for an extended stay trial. You will see the little things that annoy you and whether or not you can cope with it. Since I know we're here temporarily, it's easier to let the annoyances slide.
I’m so impressed by cold water swimmers! I’m the biggest baby about cold and could never ever do it, and I’m kind of envious of people who can and the high they apparently get from it. Good for you!!
You definitely get a good body high after cold swimming. It's the best feeling. To be fair, I would never cold dip in a bucket of ice! It's nature or bust for me.
I used to think that I only pushed myself to do things that scare me because I didn’t want needless fear to hold me back. But I now believe I also do it for the sheer challenge, the joy it gives me to overcome something.
At the moment I’m learning Japanese, and although that doesn’t sound adventurous, it scares me. Because there is the risk I will drastically fail to ever speak this language.
Great post! While contemplating the scariest decision of my life many years ago I had a dream about Fear… your post has given me an idea for my next Substack story/essay! Thank you and I look forward to reading more from you. :)
When I turned 50 a few years back, I adopted the motto, "I am comfortable being uncomfortable." At first I found it easy, since I am *already* comfortable with a lot of things that make my peers cringe. But as I've encountered things that make me truly, deeply uncomfortable, I've had to really push myself to live by my own self-proclaimed commitment. Dread and exhilaration. Both. I get it. Thanks for this post. It was sensory-rich for me and I felt I had joined you, at least a little bit. 💜
Brenna, I love the subject of this essay…and I *especially* love how clear and luminous your writing is! Brava—this one really stuck with me.
Thanks Maddie :)
Love this! I jump in a cold shower every morning after working out (granted, not as starkly cold as the ocean) and it makes me feel so alive (and young 😬). I love hate it every time, like you said.
Also, I voted for travel content but somewhat reluctantly 😂… specifically, I’d love to learn more about traveling to places and in ways that don’t diminish quality of life for the inhabitants and culture. I don’t see people talking about this much, yet, and it feels very needed.
Mindful travel is an excellent topic, thanks for bringing it up!
I love how daring you are to move to Italy!
My wife and I are debating between Italy, Portugal, or staying in the United States.
But, just talking about it, it feels like we need to spread our wings and go to Europe, so we’d love to learn about how to get settled with your view of the ocean.
Oh really Raul? I had no idea! I think it's a good idea to come over here for an extended stay trial. You will see the little things that annoy you and whether or not you can cope with it. Since I know we're here temporarily, it's easier to let the annoyances slide.
I’m so impressed by cold water swimmers! I’m the biggest baby about cold and could never ever do it, and I’m kind of envious of people who can and the high they apparently get from it. Good for you!!
You definitely get a good body high after cold swimming. It's the best feeling. To be fair, I would never cold dip in a bucket of ice! It's nature or bust for me.
I lost my breath reading this cold plunge!
You are so brave and inspiring!
I love reading about your adventures.
I used to think that I only pushed myself to do things that scare me because I didn’t want needless fear to hold me back. But I now believe I also do it for the sheer challenge, the joy it gives me to overcome something.
At the moment I’m learning Japanese, and although that doesn’t sound adventurous, it scares me. Because there is the risk I will drastically fail to ever speak this language.
Oh yes, learning languages is so scary. I am scared to speak Italian every day and I do it anyway!
Great post! While contemplating the scariest decision of my life many years ago I had a dream about Fear… your post has given me an idea for my next Substack story/essay! Thank you and I look forward to reading more from you. :)
I love how each post is different than the last, although they all tie back to your goals of living fully and fearlessly! Keep it going!!
When I turned 50 a few years back, I adopted the motto, "I am comfortable being uncomfortable." At first I found it easy, since I am *already* comfortable with a lot of things that make my peers cringe. But as I've encountered things that make me truly, deeply uncomfortable, I've had to really push myself to live by my own self-proclaimed commitment. Dread and exhilaration. Both. I get it. Thanks for this post. It was sensory-rich for me and I felt I had joined you, at least a little bit. 💜
Brenna, I love the subject of this essay…and I *especially* love how clear and luminous your writing is! Brava—this one really stuck with me.
Brenna, I love the subject of this essay…and I *especially* love how clear and luminous your writing is! Brava—this one really stuck with me.