The Rubbish Beach Guru

Today's Tiktok video included a little tongue in cheek moment of imparting some W*NKY BEACH WISDOM upon the watchers. It was in response to finding some blue seaglass in a footprint, and was something along the lines of:

"Always examine the path you leave behind, for there you will find the greatest treasures!"

I immediately followed it up with a slightly more serious life lesson that has genuinely come to me through this excellent pass time.

It's very easy to get a little obsessive with a hobby like this. The fear that you might "miss" something amazing, or the perfectionist drive to pick up every single piece you see, can infiltrate your thoughts and taint what should be a relaxing experience. I have absolutely been there. It is easy to let the disappointment of what you DIDN'T find, to interrupt the joy of what you DO.

What helped me, strangely, in getting over this, was being lucky enough to be able to frequent particularly lucrative beaches. Once it became very clearly IMPOSSIBLE to pick up every piece, it was easier to start letting things go. I was able to internalise the knowledge that there would always be another day, always be another chance. I started being more discerning. Leaving bits behind. Considering and only going for pieces that met my needs that day.

With this mindset, I was able to consider more calmly the beaches I visited. I enjoyed the process more, the thought "but what if you miss something amazing?!" was met with "Then it wasn't meant to be. Either someone else will find it, or it will return to the sea."

It started with seaglass, but this mindset is one I have successfully applied in other areas of life. If the fear of what you 'might' miss, is interrupting the joy of what you HAVE, then it is time to let go. Real joy now, a real piece of green seaglass in front of you now, is better than the imaginary blue piece that may or may not be behind you. Certainly keep your eye out as you go on, but make sure you're properly admiring the beauty of what's in front of you.

Thanks for reading,

Emily (Mama G)