The sea as my ally for life

It’s no news that the sea brings invaluable benefits. It reduces stress, makes the air cleaner, encourages social bonds and sparks creativity. The sounds of waves turn life into a harmonic melody we never feel out of sync with. 

Why do I love it? It’s home. It’s family and friends. It’s my roots. It makes me feel at peace with the world and myself. It calms me down when life gets stormy and gives me a purpose. 

If you’re lucky enough to have experienced life near the sea, you know what I am talking about. And if you haven’t, I hope my story will inspire you to take the leap (or at least daydream a little while!).

By Giulia Daniele

@sleeponthesofaa

I have been lucky enough to have been exposed to the beauty of the sea from a young age. Being born in La Spezia, Italy, the sea is the element I always went back to. It’s my point of reference, my North Star. 

I used to spend every summer (and winter sometimes, too!) at the beach, swimming, diving, looking for rare shells and friendly crabs. One thing I couldn’t leave without was my fishing net and diver’s mask – everyday essentials in the life of a young explorer. If my friends didn’t want to join me on my underwater expedition, it wasn’t a problem! There ain’t no way I wasn’t jumping in.

I spent hours swimming until my fingers wrinkled, marvelling at the different fish species and filling my hands with the sand. Time stopped, and so did the world. Everything was still and perfect – maybe my destiny was to become a mermaid. Oh, if only! 

I have never felt so free, serene and invincible. The sea was my one and only shelter from the struggle life could throw my way. No one could reach me, hurt me, or disappoint me. 

One thing I love about the sea is that it doesn’t discriminate. We’re all equal in its eyes. It treats us all the same and lets our barriers fall. And it always welcomes us in its infinite arms, embracing our differences.

When I moved to Padua for my university studies, I knew my beautiful sea wouldn’t be anywhere near me. It wasn’t easy, but I got used to it. It’s wild how fast we adapt to new realities and don’t even realise it. 

A friend studying in Florence then told me something that got me thinking. He said, ‘Knowing that the sea isn’t nearby anymore makes me feel suffocated like I lack air’. He couldn’t have described it better. That’s how I felt for three years. 

Knowing the sea was just a short drive away can make a difference. I could pop in for a walk after work, spend a morning sunbathing on its shores or arm up with supplies for a fun-filled beach day. That’s what we used to do anyway. 

We knew it kept us sane and grounded. Looking at it, I can’t help but think how vast it is. You’ll never see its end. You’ll never touch its boundaries. It’s just so immense that it’s overwhelming. But in a fulfilling way. It’s not scary; it’s empowering. Something so vast yet so welcoming feels like home. 

I look for the sea (or a water source at least!) everywhere I go, whether on holidays, in the place I am moving to or at home. I’ll always feel drawn to it. 

It reminds me of my parents teaching me to swim for the first time. Of me and my friends giving all sorts of crazy names to the crabs we were meeting. It reminds me of the many books I’ve read (nothing beats a good read on the beach), of the words I wrote and songs I sang without a thought in the world.

It’s my family’s warmth and my grandma’s lullaby. It’s the cradle of my childhood. It has seen me walk, fall, fail, stand and grow. It has followed my misfortunes without judging and celebrated my success without competing. It’s the sum of all my memories. 

It’s my forever friend, first supporter, and best companion. A shelter for the bad days and an ally for the good ones. Because what is life if not a mix of both?

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