Lessons for wavering writers from the world of winter swimming
Committing to writing for your business can feel like taking a plunge into cold water - intimidating to say the least! Here are a few things that hesitant writers can learn from confident winter swimmers to help you dive right in.
Taking the plunge
I’ll never forget the trepidation I first felt, faltering at the edge of Clevedon Marine Lake. It was early on a clear, cold November morning in 2016, one of those days when your breath forms it own cloud around you. Teeth chattering, I struggled to commit to putting one toe in the five degree water, my whole being resisting the momentum I needed to get down those steps. It took several false starts, a heap of encouragement and a not insignificant amount swearing before finally easing myself in. Needless to say, I loved it, and I haven’t looked back since.
Winter swimming has become a passion and a necessity for me - one that’s led me to greater peace of mind, many unexpected adventures, and a whole community of wonderful, like-minded friends.
It strikes me that committing to writing and publishing your thoughts can feel a bit like taking the plunge into cold winter waters. I’m sure I’m not alone in the writing struggle - the feelings of extreme trepidation, excitement dwindling as you teeter on the edge, resisting the urge to back out rapidly and go and have a nice cup of tea.
So here are 10 lessons that any frozen writer can take from winter swimmers like me.
1. Remember, this is good for you!
You never regret a swim, no matter how foreboding and icy the water. The sense of peace, adrenaline, exhilaration. It puts a hard stop to the crazy in my head, relaxing me, making me look out and smile.
Writing is good for you too. Yes, if you’re in the content game you’re writing for others - to help your clients and community. But, don’t forget, you’re writing for yourself too. Organising your ideas in writing will get you clearer on what you think. It outs the muddy swirl of ideas in your head, ordering them, making sense of them, calming them down.
As with swimming, you never know where your writing will take you. Sharing your ideas sparks new connections and good conversations. There’s a serendipitous factor at play here - share your ideas and make friends all over the world, in my experience.
2. Find a good mentor or teacher
On my first swim at Clevedon I was lucky enough to encounter the inimitable Susie Baker. Susie and her family have been winter swimming for years - her mum swam in the winter championships in Finland into her 80s, with medals to prove it! Susie took me under her wing, motivating me to turn up regularly every Sunday, pushing me to try longer distances, encouraging me to enter events. I don’t think I’d have done half of this without her.
I have writing mentors and teachers in business life too. I’m grateful for Chris Thurling’s encouragement to write for myself, and to Sharon for her feedback and editing. And I’ve learned so much from Henneke Duistermaat and her courses. Lots more to learn, I know.
Finding someone to encourage you works wonders. (Thanks to you all.)
3. Look the part
Look like a winter swimmer and you are a winter swimmer - the dry robe, the funky swimming hat, the costume. You could even go as far as my friend Tom who, despite being a slowish swimmer, got specially printed GBR speedos to encourage him whilst training for the winter championships in Estonia.
And so with writing - furnish yourself with some good kit! A Moleskine notebook perhaps, a quality pen - whatever it takes. Good design is great motivator, I find. Writing on a beautifully designed blog, a space like Medium with perfect layout and typography, or putting some love into the design of your newsletter - all this will help you feel the part and make the thought of writing more of a joy.
4. Accept the fear
Cold water shock is real. Fear of getting into freezing cold water doesn’t make you a wimp - it’s normal.
Writer’s block and imposter syndrome are normal too. Don’t beat yourself up for feeling cowed by the task of writing (I’m talking to myself here!). Acknowledge the fear, and get in.
5. Acclimatise slowly
With winter swimming, easing yourself in is the key. Start in the Autumn when it’s still warm, and slowly up your game. Just a short dip will do you for starters, you can add a few minutes as you get used to the plummeting temperature. Always get out before you get too cold.
I think it’s important to acclimatise when writing too. Start small. In the Content Writing Club I run with Sharon we use the Pomodoro technique to structure people’s writing time - short, sharp, achievable, 25 minute focused blocks. It helps writing feel less daunting. If that’s too long for you, try 10 minutes. Just remember to stop before it feels like a chore.
Whether you’re mastering winter swimming or writing, consistency makes all the difference. You don’t need to be in for long, but you do need to commit to doing it regularly. Block out that time in your diary!
6. Join a group
There’s nothing like group enthusiasm and a bit of peer pressure and friendly competition to get you further.
The South West Seals is my swimming group at Clevedon - a random bunch of ridiculous cold water enthusiasts motivating each other through each winter. If it works with swimming it must work with writing, we thought - and our Content Writing Club was born.
Do it with a group, if that’s your thing.
7. Tell people you’re doing it - then there’s no going back
If you tell the world you’re going to do something, then it’s harder to welch out on something you’re scared of, be that swimming or writing.
My newsletter only happened because I told the world I was launching it and when. Make it public. That’ll hold you to account.
8. Do it somewhere you love
Clevedon is such a special place for me. I can see a long way from the marine lake and the sea - big skies, wide uncluttered view across the Bristol Channel to the hills of Wales. I much prefer swimming here to a pool or even the iconic Henleaze Lake here in Bristol - that just feels too hemmed in for me, although I know others love it.
Place matters when writing too. I was finding it hard to write at the same desk I work at. Pre-lockdown, I’d write at a cafe - preferably near a pool. Nowadays, I at least move location to a space in the house I find calm.
Find somewhere you love and try your writing there.
9. Treat yourself after
Post swim - hot tea, cake, chat, mutual back slapping. A celebration. Post writing - well, the same!
10. Find a way that works for you
I’m intrigued by the different strategies people employ to get them into cold water.
Susie gets someone to count her in.
Mary swears.
Diane jumps in.
For Ed, it’s press ups!
Me - straight in these days, no faffing or my resolve is done for. I march down those steps, splash water on my neck and I’m in.
We’re all so different. Everyone finds their own way in - whether that’s a routine, a repeating mantra or noisy profanities. Whatever it takes to get you down those steps, or to get your writing over the line.
Not all of these tips will be right for you, but I hope there’s something here that sticks. Whatever ideas you go for, I hope you enjoy the new adventure.
Find your own way to make writing - and swimming - fun.
If you want to start winter swimming and need a bit of encouragement, I’d recommend swim coaches Row Clarke and Laura Nesbitt at Clevedon Marine Lake. The South West Seals gather at the lake at 10am on the first Sunday of the month, from October to April. Come and join us.
More tips here: www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/how-to-acclimatise-to-cold-water.
And if you’d like to carve out time to write your content as part of a supportive group, check out the monthly Content Writing Club I run with Sharon for the School of Valuable Content.