What Your Pool Style Says About Change

As summer winds down, I’ve been watching the community pools in my area drain the water and pack up shop. And I’m always struck by how different an empty pool looks from a full one.

Maybe less inviting.
A little more lonely.
But depending on the person… maybe also less intimidating? Less overwhelming?

It got me thinking about how kids approach the zero-entry pool at the start of summer—when the water’s still freezing and the sun hasn’t quite hit its stride.

Some kids dash right up to the edge, stick in a toe, shriek, and run full-speed back to their towel.

Toe in, toe out.
Jump back.
Squeal.
Resist.
Repeat.

Eventually, they might sprint in, laughing. Or not.

Then there are the fence-holders—the ones who never, ever, ever let go.

White-knuckled grip.
Watchful eyes.
A parent or babysitter pleading, bribing, negotiating—because no one wants to spend the whole afternoon guarding the gate.

And of course, there are all the kids in between.

Testers.
Tinkerers.
Tiptoe-ers.
Cannonballers.

Here’s the thing: sometimes we will spend months (or years!) at the edge of something extraordinary—healing a belief, saying no, raising prices, forgiving someone, shifting a pattern—without realizing how it steals our energy and our joy.

So here’s a gentle question to float in your awareness:

👉 What have you been avoiding that’s actually draining your energy more than taking the plunge would?

You don’t have to act on it today.
Just name it.
Tell someone you trust.
Say it out loud.

Sometimes, clarity is the shift.
And clarity comes from curiosity, not judgment.

You might discover you’re not ready.
You might realize you are.
Or you might realize… you don’t even want it anymore.

Wherever you are—fence, toe-dip, cannonball—you’re not doing it wrong.

Just keep noticing. And when you’re ready, the water’s waiting.

☀️ You’ve got this, my friend.