I went surfing last weekend in Pacifica, California.
Before you imagine me in a double-overhead barrel wave, let me make it clear that I’m still in the beginner leagues.
There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and the water was an almost icy 12 degrees Celsius; or 53 degrees Fahrenheit.
My friend, Matt, and I layered up in thick wetsuits before heading out into the waves.
From the beginning, my hired wetsuit wasn’t fitting well. The zipper running up my spine didn’t feel locked into place.
Then it happened.
A wave caught me off guard, and I got dumped in the whitewash. The force of the water ripped open the zipper on the wetsuit, letting the cold water in. I raced to get close to shore, where I could stand, expel the water, and re-zip my suit. I felt disoriented, and developed a headache soon after. I tried to stay in the water, but quickly decided I’d be better off getting out, getting changed, and getting warm.
A wetsuit isn’t designed to keep you dry. It’s designed to let water in. Your body then heats up the water and keeps you warm.
There’s cold water and negativity everywhere. Sure, we can use some of it to make us better—to inspire us to improve—but too much of it can leave us dangerously disoriented and with a painful headache.
Wetsuits and minds both have zippers, just of different kinds.