Embracing the COLD: My Journey with Ice Plunging

When I first heard about ice plunging, I was skeptical. The idea of willingly subjecting myself to freezing cold water seemed more like a punishment than a leisure activity. However, curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to give it a try.

My first experience with ice plunging was on a chilly December morning. It was 6:25 am, and the temperature was a brisk 3 degrees Celsius. Despite the mild winter we were having, I was still apprehensive. I stripped down to my bikini and cautiously made my way into the water up to my thighs.

As I squatted down into the icy water, I was hit with an intense cold that stung my skin. My initial goal was to stay in for 10 seconds, instead, I counted as fast as I could and quickly got out, wrapping myself in a towel. Surprisingly, I thought to myself, "Well, that wasn't so bad. I totally could've stayed in longer." I regretted my decision to get out so quickly all day. "What a wimp, how was that hard?" was another thought I had that day.

The next day, I returned, determined to stay in longer. While I did manage to stay in a bit longer, I still didn't reach my goal of 10 seconds. Yet again, I thought, "Totally could've stayed in longer." It became a pattern – each time I went, I stayed a bit longer, but still felt like I could do more.

Over time, I learned to control my breathing, appreciate the beauty of my surroundings, enjoy the company of my fellow dipper, and relish the feeling of accomplishment that washed over me when I got out of the water. What started as a challenge, something to check off my list of hard things, has now become a cherished routine.

Some days I am not able to make it to the river and the worst part of not being able to go, is that I made a promise to my self that if I did not go in the river, that I would take a cold shower. Cold showers are awful, especially since I force myself to put my head and face under the water, and then open up my armpits and put them under the water as well. Absolute torture!

Now, I look forward to my ice plunges and miss them when I can't go. It's a reminder that sometimes, the things we fear or find difficult can become sources of joy and fulfillment. So, while there are still plenty of hard things in life to conquer, like doing my hair every day and putting on makeup, I'll always have my ice plunges to remind me of the power of perseverance and the joy of overcoming challenges.

My photographer and best buddy!

Date of pictures-Feb 17, 2024, 2 degrees, 2pm. That night was down to -8. Water was colder than the air, I was super warm when I got out and then we went for a walk along the river after. We are so fortunate to have the spot we have and each other. So THANKFUL!