The very first time I got so close to a swimming pool was sometime last five years and I only went there to watch people have their fun swimming, a friend invited me with the mind that he would teach me how to swim. I didn't let him know I won't learn it at that time because I wanted to see the swimming pool the first time.
So the whole experience was beautiful until he asked me to come join him at the pool, I was almost frozen by the thought of going into the water. He couldn't stop laughing at me, he still laughs about it. Most of the time, I would even join him to laugh at myself showing I'm not bothered about my inability to swim like others.
As much as I admire people who can swim, I love to watch them swim but I think when it comes to swimming myself, that's where a trauma that I would think I've forgotten comes up again. I thought traumas only happen in movies but when I think about the reason I've not bothered to learn how to swim, I realize traumas do exist for some.
I've actually not really thought about learning to swim for the purpose of saving myself if I should ever find myself drowning, I guess I've always thought I would have no reason to get close to water talk more of drowning in it except I've overcome my fear of water and learned how to swim. What if someone evil pushes me in water?
It's a negative thought but I've heard and seen in movies where people punish others by throwing them into water so they can drown. If I ever find myself in such situation, which I hope never, I definitely won't be able to survive except by miracle. I have this fear of death that sings in my head when I think of trying to swim in any water.
The reason happened when I was about 8-10 years old, I think. My siblings and I had to live with my paternal grandma for sometime and during that period, I made friends with some kids around. One of them was closest to me, I won't say her name but I still remember very well. We were happy little friends until a day she went out.
Like many other days, she went out to the farm with her mother, using their usual boat. I always thought I'd go with them someday so I'd know how it feels to transport with a boat. Well, that day she went with her mother and never returned. They found their bodies afloat and cold, I didn't see them but the stories were so real that I cried.
Before the news, I usually play close to the rivers we had to go near when we visit the farm with my grandma. I never had any fear when I go close to the river but it changed after the news of my friend's death and I never saw her to play with. I think the fear of learning how to swim started from that time, it's been so long but kinda fresh.
Yes, I know it's something I should move on and forget but I've never really found the reason to move on from it. No reason to learn how to swim as all the places I've had to go, I go on land and never by water. But I know I'll get to learn how to swim sometime in the future when I see a better opportunity to. Until then, I'll remain unbothered.
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Some traumas can take a lifetime to heal, I pray yours take much less than that. Though I've not learned to swim in practice, I've learnt quite a bit in theory, now need to bridge the gap between the two.
I pray same. I'm sure you'd bridge the gap easily.
Shey it is someone who will go near water that will imagine someone pushing them to drown 😂 I can’t try it.
Swimming is actually fun and I do wish to swim someday but until then, let me keep fantasizing about it.
Actually! I won't even go near them first of all. 😂
Let's keep fantasizing o.
Lmao. My exact thoughts too thou. I can't be a victim of village people.
And ouch, that's an emotional story about your friend, I really hope you move past the trauma
At all, it's scary.
I hope so too. 🥹