Especially in the in-between months.
People think I’m mad for sea swimming.
“Why would you do that to yourself?” “It’s freezing!” “You must be crazy!” “That water, urgghh”
And yes — sometimes it is cold. Sometimes the wind is biting, the waves are wild, and every sensible part of my brain says, oh hell no.
“Are we mad?” comes out of my mouth.
But I go in anyway.
Because I already know how I’m going to feel when I get out.
That rush. That mental shift. That deep breath that feels like it resets everything. And that big, uncontrollable grin that reminds me I did something just for me.
“Let’s get a picture for proof”
Because we played like we were kids again. It felt exhilarating and care-free.
Sea Swimming: Trusting the After
On the other hand, sometimes I don’t even need a full swim. A splash in the waves on the shore is enough. Cold water on my legs. Feet grounded in the stones.
Sea swimming isn’t about being tough or fearless. It’s about knowing that the after is worth the discomfort.
You can’t shut me up minute the cold becomes the norm.
I almost didn’t go in last week as the waves were too big and strong, I was all set to go home. Then I just pulled up my trouser legs and paddled, whilst the others got wet.
My smile got wider, the buzz got stronger and the fomo got bigger. So my costume went on, phone went away and in I jumped.
I frolicked in the froth with my friends from the Bluetits Chill Swimmers
Every single time I come out of the sea, I feel more alive, more present, more myself. I never regret going in — only the days I talked myself out of it. Followed by the warming up, tea drinking, chit chat we deserved.
And that feeling? That’s my happy place.
There’s a Facebook Group if you would like to join us in Worthing, for some cold water therapy.
Dance: Showing Up When You Don’t Feel Like It
I see this exact same thing in my dance classes.
People arrive tired. Stressed. Busy. Sometimes saying, “I nearly cancelled.”
But then the music starts.
Bodies begin to move. Laughter sneaks in. Smiles appear without anyone trying to force them.
By the end of the session, something has shifted.
People stand taller. They feel lighter. Energised. Proud that they showed up.
Dance does what the sea does for me — it shakes things loose. It reconnects you with your body, your breath, and your joy.
And just like sea swimming, no one ever leaves saying, “I wish I hadn’t come.”
Thinking about Joining a class today? – Just listen to my current Zumba Gold Queens’ comments.
Valentine’s Day, Private Couples & 10 Years of Marriage
Valentine’s Day always makes me pause, even though I’m not particularly a lover of it.
Not because love is perfect or polished — but because it’s chosen. Hubby doesn’t like society to tell him to buy me flowers… and I do get that. I like to bake a cake or make him dinner, rather than buy him an overpriced card. We love an experience more than stuff.
This year is especially meaningful for me. We are celebrating 10 years of marriage, and with that comes a deep appreciation for the small, intentional moments that keep connection alive.
We love dancing together, once the kids have gone to bed. Those memories stick in my mind way more than a gift and so it makes me wonder if other couples, who need connection would thrive on that too.
Which takes me on to my private couples classes. Learning to dance together aren’t really about steps. They’re about carving out time. About holding hands without phones. About remembering why you chose each other in the first place. Recreating what you once had, or learning something new, together.
I offer my sessions, through out the year, but especially for a Valentine’s treat. Trying something different, something shared thinking;
“We didn’t realise how much we needed that.”
Don’t think about it being a gimmick to spend money, but a reason to fall in love again. Enjoying an activity you can do in the comfort of your own home, with the log burner on and a class of bubbles.
Whether you’re newly engaged, planning your wedding dance, or years into your relationship, moving together does something special. It builds trust. It sparks playfulness. It creates memories.
Love, it doesn’t even have to be a couples’ romance. A ‘Galentines’ get-together is awesome too.
- Read further – The benefits of dancing at home together
- Visit the shop to view the Experience Certificate.
Weddings: Confidence You Didn’t Know You Had
Wedding couples are often the most nervous of all.
“I’ve got two left feet.” “I don’t dance.” “I just don’t want to look stupid.”
But confidence doesn’t come before you start — it comes because you start.
When couples commit to learning their first dance, something magical happens. They realise they’re capable of more than they thought. They connect. They laugh. They surprise themselves.
It’s never about perfection. It’s about presence. And the progress they make together.
That moment on the dance floor isn’t just a performance — it’s proof that you can do hard things and enjoy them.
Trust the Process.
There’s free resources of you want to learn more, over on my Wedding Dance page.
Confidence Lives on the Other Side of Action
Whether it’s stepping into cold water, walking into a dance class, or creating memories on your wedding day, the pattern is always the same.
You don’t wait to feel ready. You don’t wait for motivation. You don’t wait for next month. And you definitely can’t wait for anyone else.
You move first.
And confidence follows.
Most of the best things in life ask us to feel a little uncomfortable at the start. But the reward — the joy, the pride, the sense of being fully alive — always comes after.
Stepping out of your comfort zone and into your happy place. Sue does it with Zumba Gold® and you should come too!
Your Happy Place Is Waiting
Your happy place might not be quiet or calm, with a coffee. It might be loud, joyful, sweaty, salty, and full of movement.
It might be the sea. A dance floor. A community class. A kitchen disco. Or a wedding dance you once thought you couldn’t do.
Whatever it is, trust the after.
Because you only regret the things you don’t do.
If you are ready to look for your happy place, I would love to help you find it. Simply Contact me
Adventure awaits.