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My Other World

Surfing to Forget the Rest

By Ashly ArbesPublished 5 years ago 3 min read
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There is nothing like that feeling of first seeing those waves. The feeling of awe, that longing to stay forever. The sound that soothes your soul. No therapy session can touch what this place does to me. My most difficult days are washed away and left at shore.

I'm no pro surfer. Those waves beat me hard and that sand turns to sandpaper on your skin when you're forced against the bottom of those waves. The point wasn't to be good, just better. As hard as they are, they are the perfect therapy for me. The waves push you to be stronger, better, and not just physically. Time is just a theory when I'm out there. It passes so quickly that I could stay forever and never miss a thing. I've never been one for using substances but this sure comes close for me.

One of my most difficult times was a hard breakup with someone I thought I would spend my life with. When it was over, I didn't know what to do. The details are meaningless. I had never felt so full of sorrow and I didn't know how to come back from it. That summer, I was able to get to the beach almost weekly. My weekly therapy session. A time when I could get out of my head and be with the waves. I would have a song on repeat in my mind and enjoy my time as much as possible. I feel for those who have no outlet like this. If I hadn't been able to surf, I would have lost it. It took me over a year to feel like myself again, even with things like the beach to help soothe the painful memories. Even in sleep there's no ease, dreams of him never stopped.

Coming home from the East coast was the worst. Not only was I sunburn and eyes blood shot, my therapy was over and the sorrow surrounded me again. I still can't recall how I got through all of those days but I believe my therapy had something to do with it. It gave me something to look forward to. I can understand why people drink to forget and find other ways to hide the pain for a bit. If I didn't have the outlets that I did, I would have been right there with them. God helped a lot too. I have a peace in knowing there's someone there, always understanding what you're going through. Maybe that's why the beach is so therapeutic. Maybe the waves felt like a close embrace under the warming sun, making me feel everything but those memories. I remember sitting out there on my board, talking to God. I was trying my best to understand why we go through such pain. And I was also reminded how this world heals us. All the wonders, the variety of beauty in the world for everyone's different taste. Beaches, mountains, creeks and forests. It doesn't matter to me what it is. Being in the raw beauty of nature, seeing what it does and how we are affected emotionally by it. It was created for us. Therapy doesn't have to involve you talking to another face. Just walk outside, look around you, feel the sun on your face, the earth under your feet and listen to the world around you.

Find your own therapy session. Mine just happens to involve a board and crashing waves. I can still feel those memories in the salty air as I walk onto the beach. It's a reminder to me that I am stronger, and I am better equipped for my next emotional disaster.

healing
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About the Creator

Ashly Arbes

My first story I published here tells a quick story of my current life. I love nature, just being outside can be euphoric for me. I love being creative. I love to travel any chance I have. I always find a way to challenge my comfort zone.

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