Today, WeiQi from Nanjing, China, shares with us how she found her place in swimming despite her seemingly reserved personality...
I remember feeling confused as I sat among the rows of painted faces cheering and yelling at an exciting ball game. I appreciate the enthusiasm of the crowd and admire the energy and vitality of the older players, but I would never muster the courage to rush onto the court like them...
Today, WeiQi from Nanjing, China, an introvert like me, tells us how she found her place in swimming despite her seemingly reserved personality. As she shares more about her story about swimming, the benefits of swimming for introverts also become clear.
The beginning of her relationship with swimming was nothing out of the norm.
“During my freshman year, I was desperate to join a sports team so that I could get involved with my high school community and also feel the team spirit. Varsity Swimming is the only no-cut winter sport offered at my school. I didn’t think much about it and simply signed up for it, even though I’ve had little swimming experience. It sort of felt like I had to join it.”
“I only remember that when I was in primary school, I had some fun in the swimming pool; and for some reason, swimming always correlates to summer, my favorite season – that’s it.”
It is interesting to see how swimming, an individual sport, is attractive to introverts who have no desire to socialize. The intense interaction and constant cooperation that are highly sought after in team sports sap our energy. Swimming, on the other hand, reduces that coordination to ourselves and the water. The challenge of moving through the water requires full attention to our swimming style.
This deeply concentrated process also facilitates introspection.
“Since I focus on my own techniques and try to swim at a faster pace each time, I don’t have the extra energy to overthink.”
The mindful state achieved through swimming might also suggest why is it such a stress relief. “College application was all over the place and there was much anxiety of not knowing which college I would end up attending,"
"Swimming was the perfect remedy to allow me some escapes from the daily routines and to clear my mind of stress."
In water, she felt shielded from the disturbances of the outside world. “When I swim, my whole body is submerged. The outside world is no more.”
Moreover, swimming also provides that sense of security that is lacking in many sports. Access to a pool is all that’s needed. For introverts who prefer to be in control of things, it would be inviting. Without the influence of external factors, a swimmer's performance depends solely on personal effort.
“Swimming is a very independent sport because you get your own lane; during most of the practice, you just swim back and forth and only on yourself,”
At the same time, swimming helps introverts recharge their batteries, allowing them to handle stress and carry on their normal lives with more energy feeling “fulfilled, free and tenacious”.
“As an introvert, I enjoy swimming at my own pace and primarily communicate with the clock. Sometimes even when I improve just a second, I feel true happiness.”
Before swimming became "the sport" for WeiQi, she admitted she faced peer pressure.
“I swim with very competitive teammates who hold national qualifications and often meet other strong players at the swim meets. It is definitely a lot of pressure to be in competition. But over time, I learned to only compete with myself. As long as I am improving, it’s enough! And I acknowledged that everybody has their own pace. No one should be set with arbitrarily high expectations that bring only pain and anxiety.”
Many times, sports are worth the time and effort simply as a mood booster and relief. “I don’t need to be excellent at a sport to play it. I enjoy the highs and lows and the process of progressing a little and building on skills each time.”
For any fellow introverts out there who may be wondering if sports are for them, even if they don't feel comfortable watching loud crowds or the hustle and bustle of team sports, swimming might be the best choice. In the end, Weiqi gave introverted girls her wise words:
"Follow your instinct and choose what really inspires and resonates with you. I found that we all have boundless potential and sometimes we just need to be adventurous enough to try it out. I think we’ll all be surprised by how exceptional we are.”
I chose swimming at first just because I don't want to play a team sport. I was scared that I cannot play well and let the whole team down. But I found swimming a sport that suits me well, we are competing for ourselves but also training in team! (Have friends to chat with~)
yayy I love reading this❤️
Omg I totally agree that swimming is the best sport for introverts. As an introvert, I often feel uncomfortable playing team sports as I have to talk a lot with teammates. But when it comes to swimming, it allows me to focus on myself and only depend on myself. I feel deeply related to Weiqi's experience!!