I don’t think I am at mid-life crisis-stage yet.  I am aware that some of the things I do in my life might be described as “boring”, but I think that is the case for everyone.  I do try to liven things up at times.  I was a little alarmed that one of the most adventurous things I do is playing Russian roulette with fruit tea bags.  I have a little pot of them in my handbag, and cannot be sure whether I will be drinking raspberry and peach, cherry and cinammon or raspberry and eccinacea.  Now, that’s exciting!

Being rebellious?Man in front of a waterfall in swimming shorts, holding a rubber ring. Being rebellious, or going wild?

At times my rebellious streak comes through.  I admit that by saying I am “rebellious” I may be stretching the term slightly.  My parents-in-law didn’t drink alcohol for medical reasons, but my husband and I would have a sneaky glass of wine in our bedroom.  THAT felt daring.  And when we went on a hike a couple of weeks ago, we refused to be delighted by the sensation of walking across a bridge, even though the instructions told us we must.

We were amused as a family to discover that our daughter should be encouraged to read for 20 minutes a day, and it should be for her “personal enjoyment and interest”.  I have to say I find being told to do something reduces the amount of personal enjoyment and interest I get out of it!

I did do something truly wild this weekend.  I’ve always loved swimming in the sea or in lakes and rivers, but it has always been when lots of other people have been around.  My boys were on Beaver camp all Calm, still lake surrounded by trees. Being rebellious, or going wild?weekend, and my daughter was at a Brownie sleepover on Friday night.  I had a whole 22 hours to myself.  (I did choose to go to bed at 9 pm on Friday, but that was for my personal enjoyment and interest 🙂 ).

Another Beaver mum and I decided to go wild swimming.  We met near a lake about 30 miles away, and trekked down some steep paths.  We had done our safety research (of course), but were still feeling giddy and excited.  What would happen if something went wrong?  We wouldn’t be missed until I wasn’t there to pick my daughter up.

Going wild

The lake was still and completely quiet.  We only saw a couple of walkers on the way down.  I am not as daring as my friend and wore a wet suit for our swim.  I have to say it was one of the most liberating experiences I have had in years.  Walking through the weed into the cold water, quickly feeling the bottom of the lake disappearing under my feet, putting my shoulders under the surface.  Being in such a large area of water with only one other companion and no people in sight.  (Leaving my car keys and phone in a bag that I wasn’t attending to – now that’s going wild!)

I truly loved floating on the surface of the lake.  I didn’t need to move at all to keep afloat.  It felt like I Two women in a selfie in front of a lake. Being rebellious, or going wild?was lying there for hours, being completely supported by the water.  I felt free.

Lots of people have asked us about our wild swimming experience.  Many would love to have been there with us.  Some have been sadly disappointed that “wild” didn’t mean “naked”.  Now, that would take my rebellion to a whole new level!

Moving out of our comfort zones once in a while is good for us.  Challenging ourselves to do something out of the ordinary can be self-affirming.  When we stray out of the mundane boundaries of our everyday lives, our experiences can enliven and enrich us.

While all-night parties and illicit drug-taking are not going to be on the agenda for me, I’d love to hear what “wild” experiences you have had, or are thinking about.  Mind you, I do seem to be getting more spontaneous these days, so who knows what will happen next?

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Bottom two pictures copyright Becky Jarratt 2018

12 comments

    1. Thank you! At one point I couldn’t find my friend (my fault – wasn’t in the right place) and decided I wouldn’t do the swim alone. I was so pleased when she found me!

  1. OH WOW what an incredible experience, I think wild swimming sounds right up my street!! I’m all for doing things exciting and a little rebellious! xxx

    1. I heard something on the radio earlier, warning people not to swim in York’s waterways… We did check it was safe to swim in that lake bit it still felt daring!

  2. I love that you went wild swimming in the lake you little rebel you! I have always had a rebellious streak, if someone says “you shouldn’t do that” it makes me want to all the more x

    1. I’m the same! Even over stupid things. I only need someone to tell me I won’t be able to do something and I make sure I can 🙂

  3. Sounds exciting! I love a good wild experience; in fact I often try to chase them! My last really wild one was when I went on a road trip around the UK to see a band live at all their UK tour dates x

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