Riptide Mentality

We know what a riptide is, right? A riptide is a strong ocean current that flows directly away from the shore. It is one of the scariest phenomena in open water, an unseen, undetectable flow of water that is a swimmer's worst nightmare. Why is that? A swimmer caught in a riptide is pulled out into the open water; no matter how hard one swims, they can not fight the riptide. It just pulls you out, farther and farther away from shore, effortlessly tiring you out until your muscles just can't take more. Scary.

Here's the thing: drowning is not inevitable when caught in a riptide. But you have to fight your automatic response, your brain is the most important part of your response: you have to be smarter than your body. The obvious instinct is to fight the current, but that response is entirely wrong. Even the best swimmers are unable to fight against that current. In fact, last year, almost 100 people died in riptides in the U.S. alone.

The recommended course of action when you are caught in a riptide is to relax and let it take you out into the open water. Once the current dissipates, you swim parallel to the shore and then in. You conserve energy by not fighting the riptide, and then use your energy to return to shore once outside its grasp.

Counter-intuitive -- I mean, who wants to be pulled FARTHER out to sea? But it works.

This is Riptide Mentality:

At certain times in your life, there are going to be subtle, hidden, external forces conspiring against you—pulling you further away from your desired destination. In these moments, your instincts will tell you to fight back against those forces. You will push harder, breathe faster, try try and try more, and and strain against these forces.

Your instincts are most likely leading you astray: In these moments, when you feel the currents are too strong to resist, allow yourself the freedom to relax and let it take you.

Once it inevitably dissipates, you will have the energy and fortitude to safely navigate to your destination. Next time you feel those intense forces conspiring against you, and your instincts tell you to strain and fight back, consider the Riptide Mentality:

Perhaps the best course of action is to conserve energy now and deploy it more effectively later.