Who knew a black line on the bottom of a pool could teach so much about presence?

Recently I’ve been building a meditation practice – learning what it means to create stillness in my mind, notice thoughts without judgment, and hold things lightly.

💡 Today, while churning up and down the black line of the pool, I realised how much mindfulness swimming actually demands. It seems I’ve been meditating for a long time and never realised it.

To swim well and keep count, I have to stay fully present: aware of my effort, form, breathing, balance, and where I’m at in the set. If my mind wanders, I quickly lose count or lose flow. Within a few strokes I can shift from clarity to complete confusion!

Beyond the physical benefits, swimming gives me a break from mental busyness: the time travel, to-do lists, the next meal or the self-criticism that makes me unravel mid-swim. When I stay present, those thoughts fade. It’s impossible to swim well and think negatively at the same time.

🎁 And that’s the gift of meditation too. It teaches us that thoughts are just thoughts – they come and they go, if we let them. By anchoring to the breath, we can unhook from the spiral and return to calm.

💫 Today, I have a fresh appreciation for an activity I’ve loved all my life 🩵

What activities do you do that steady your mind in the same way? I’d love to hear your reflections below.