Surfing: The Antidote To My Overthinking
A reminder I keep getting lately is that life is short, this is not a dress rehearsal, and the clock is ticking. One way I can honor this truth, is by attempting to live life in the present moment, anchored in love & trust, and not let fear run the show. It’s no secret that I am very Type A. My book shelf is color coded and my spice drawer is alphabetized. I have some clients who joke with me, “I don’t even know what I’m doing this afternoon, and you know what you’re doing all summer.” And it’s true. I pretty much do know exactly what I’m doing every weekend this summer. I am NOT dissing this amazing Type A personality. It has allowed me to create and run a successful small business. However, I must admit, it sometimes gets exhausting. I am prone to asking a lot of questions, and wanting an over abundance of details. I find massive relief in anything that quiets my mind. (As for holistic modalities: acupuncture is my favorite with a needle right at Yintang, between the eyebrows).
Last summer my friend suggested a Ladies Surf Night with Summer Sessions. Sure! Why not! You only live once so let’s freaking do it. (In the past I had avoided any activity that could potentially injure my hands, wrists, arms or shoulders as my hands are my money makers, but then I realized that living in a scared bubble is not for me). The ladies night is an hour long. I thought to myself “Okay, maybe 30 minutes going over the basics of surfing, standing, weight distribution, focal point, popping up, how to paddle, riding the wave, etc and maybe 30 minutes in the water attempting to catch one wave.” Boy, I was WRONG!! More like: 120 seconds learning how to pop up in the beach sand, and the rest of the hour was spent in the water, catching waves, wobbling, falling, trying again and cheering each other on.
I recently read a quote that said something like “You can read about gardening all you want, but you’ll learn so much more when you actually get your hands in the dirt.” The same is true for surfing. I can ask 100 questions, like REALLY good questions, but until I actually get IN the water, I’m missing the biggest, most valuable part. Less brain & logical thinking, and more intuitive feeling and confidence and trying it out. I notice when I’m in the water, the more I THINK about catching a good wave (mentally creating a check list of everything I should be doing), the less I actually do, because my mind takes over and I’m out of my body and in my head. When I let my body just feel the momentum of the wave, and I’m calm and collected, I catch a wave much more easily.
My surfing journey has only existed for a year, and I’m SO grateful for the way it was introduced to me. It felt so refreshing, low pressure and a relief to just “hop in.” It reminded me of being a kid again. Don’t think about it too much, and go for it. (Of course make sure basic safety is covered 😂).
I am learning endlessly in the water: patience, true fun, dropping perfectionism, a state of calm, feeling the wave, unhurried energy, loosening my grip on control and expectations, and acceptance. I can’t place a personal request with Mother Nature: “Excuse me, can I please have the most perfect waves for the next hour to surf, but make sure they aren’t too big, too small, too choppy, coming in too quick, or too slow. Thanks so much!”
For anyone who has a Pitta dominant constitution like myself, surfing in the summer time is an amazing balance to a blazing fire. Non-competitive water sports in general are balancing for a Pitta dominant person. (If you’re curious about living in harmony with Mother Nature, email me to book an Ayurvedic Consultation).
Huge shout out to Summer Sessions and Mother Nature! 🌊
Next up: Skydiving! 🪂
