The very first time I went paddle boarding, I had the unexpected gift of seeing some manatees. Not off in the distance. Not swimming by. They were directly under my paddleboard before I even realized they were there.
If you’ve never seen a manatee in real life, here is something important to know. They are enormous! We are talking a thousand pounds or more and about 10 feet long. And there were four of them, quietly moving right under my paddle board!
I was completely in awe. And also completely terrified.
I did not even think about taking a picture. I was too busy trying to stay upright, wondering if one of them might surface and bump my board, sending me straight into the water.
When the Water Didn’t Feel So Calm
Even though I was thrilled to be witnessing something so special, my body did not feel calm at all.
This was my very first time paddleboarding, and I had never encountered manatees before. I had no idea what to expect.
My chest felt tight. I realized I was holding my breath. I kept telling myself not to panic because panicking felt like a guaranteed way to lose my balance. My mind kept circling the same thought. What if they hit my board? What if I fall in?
Fear showed up fast and loud.
From Panic to Presence
At first, I honestly thought they were large rocks beneath the surface. Manatees move slowly, almost lazily, and I could not quite process what I was seeing.
I paused. I took a breath. And instead of immediately paddling away, I chose to observe.
That is when everything shifted.
They were calm. Completely unbothered. Just floating and moving slowly through the water. I gently shifted my board so I could watch them without hovering directly above them.
As I did, my fear began to soften.
Their slowness had a calming effect on me. It was almost contagious.
Watching them surface to take a breath was incredible. They did not seem nervous about me at all. And somehow, that helped my nervous system settle too.
What the Manatees Taught Me (Without Trying To)
In that brief moment, those four manatees taught me something important.
They were so calm despite my presence near them. They moved without any urgency or apology. They took up space gently and confidently.
At first, I wanted to paddle away. Fear told me to get out of there as quickly as possible. But I could not bring myself to leave. These giant, potato-shaped creatures floating beneath me were not threatening. They were peaceful.
I realized they were not something to be afraid of.
More than that, I realized I could sit with my fear and still experience something extraordinary. I did not need to escape the moment for it to be safe.
Fear, Change, and Staying on the Board
I was already carrying fear that day. It was my first time on a paddleboard, and I was anxious about falling in. Being new always brings a certain level of vulnerability.
But the calm presence of the manatees showed me something else was possible.
I did not have to rush. I did not have to flee. I could simply stay.
I didn’t fall in. I didn’t paddle away in a panic. I just stayed present.
Why This Moment Still Stays With Me
That day, I learned something I have carried with me ever since.
Sometimes the things that scare us most are not dangerous. Sometimes they are invitations to slow down and trust.
Those manatees became a symbol of my life reset. Of starting over in a completely new place. Of learning how to exist in uncertainty without immediately trying to control or escape it.
Fear does not always mean danger. Sometimes it means growth.
Those manatees did not knock me over. They reminded me that calm can exist right beneath the surface, even when I am afraid.
💌 Your Turn
When was the last time fear showed up while you were doing something new? What helped you stay instead of run? I would love to hear your story in the comments.
If you’re ready to take your own gentle first step, I’d love to invite you to subscribe to my newsletter. You will receive a free download of my 5-Day Self-Care Reset Plan. It’s a simple way to start making space for yourself again, in just five minutes a day.
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