At 32, I am finally learning how to swim. While it might seem like I am a bit late to the game, but it’s something that I have always wanted to learn. As the saying goes – better late than never.
What makes this experience even more special is that my wife has been my instructor, guiding me through the process every weekend. She has been encouraging me to focus on the basics – kicking, floating and getting comfortable with the water and I have been diligently following her instructions.
Today, after 3 weeks of patient practice, I managed to swim for a few precious seconds. Although, I am still far from mastering swimming, this small achievement has filled me with a sense of joy.
I’ve finally got the hang of floating in water while kicking my legs. Coordinating my kicks with my hand movements while keeping my head above water has been difficult, but I’m confident that I’ll get there with time. I also need to work on my technique, learn how to breathe properly, and build up my stamina. But for now, I’m celebrating this small win.
As I continue on this learning journey, I am reminded of how my father always wanted me to learn to swim when I was a child. Though it took me a while to start, he’s finally happy to know that I am doing it now.
I missed out on learning to swim as a child because of a conflict between my parents’ point of views. My father had enrolled me for a swimming class, but my mother was against the idea. I was a frail child, and she believed that swimming might stunt my growth, fearing it would make me even weaker. Looking back, I’m not sure how logical her concerns were, but they were strong enough that I never attended the class. Later, my father always regretted not pushing harder against her perspective and forcing me to attend the classes, and I think part of my motivation now comes from wanting to fulfil that missed opportunity.
Overall, this learning experience reinforces in my mind that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. It might take more time and effort if you start later but nevertheless the sense of fulfilment is worth it.
I am determined to become a great swimmer by the end of this year.