Floating: A Life Regained

Joe Minihane battles anxiety through wild swimming, following the path laid out in Roger Deakin's classic book Waterlog. He travels across the United Kingdom to swim in the same rivers, lakes, and coastal spots that Deakin explored decades earlier. As Minihane swims through Britain's waterways, he documents both the physical landscapes and his inner emotional terrain. The narrative tracks his experiences in locations from remote Scottish pools to busy London ponds, while exploring his relationships with family, friends, and his own mental health. Through his swimming journey, Minihane seeks connections - to nature, to Deakin's legacy, and to a community of outdoor swimmers he meets along the way. His chronicle combines travel writing, memoir, and environmental observation. The book examines how immersion in nature can impact mental wellbeing and how retracing another's journey can become a path to self-discovery. It raises questions about our relationship with the natural world and the ways we cope with modern life's pressures.

Readers connect with Minihane's honest portrayal of anxiety and his journey to find peace through wild swimming. The book resonates with those who struggle with mental health, with multiple reviews noting how his descriptions capture the reality of living with anxiety. Readers appreciate: - Raw, vulnerable writing about mental health - Detailed descriptions of swimming locations - Balance of nature writing and personal narrative - Connections to Roger Deakin's Waterlog Common criticisms: - Pacing drags in middle sections - Some swimming location descriptions become repetitive - Limited exploration of themes beyond anxiety and swimming Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (100+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.5/5 (50+ reviews) Amazon US: 4.3/5 (25+ reviews) Notable reader comment: "His descriptions of anxiety are so accurate they're almost uncomfortable to read - but that's what makes this book important" - Goodreads reviewer

Waterlog by Roger Deakin A naturalist's chronicle of swimming through Britain's rivers, lakes, and seas while exploring the relationship between humans and water.

The Old Ways by Robert Macfarlane A travelogue that follows ancient paths through Britain's landscapes while connecting physical journeys with inner transformation.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed A memoir of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail as a means of overcoming personal loss and finding healing in nature.

Swimming to Antarctica by Lynne Cox A swimmer's memoir of conquering waters across the globe while pushing the boundaries of human endurance and connection with the natural world.

H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald A narrative of falconry, grief, and the natural world that interweaves personal loss with the training of a goshawk.

🌊 Joe Minihane followed in the footsteps of Roger Deakin, who wrote the classic wild swimming memoir "Waterlog," by swimming in the same locations across Britain. 🏊‍♂️ The author used wild swimming as a way to combat his severe anxiety, discovering that cold-water immersion helped calm his anxious mind. 💧 The book explores more than 40 different swimming locations, from remote mountain pools to urban swimming spots hidden in the heart of London. 📖 Minihane had never written a book before "Floating," and the project began as a blog documenting his swimming journey. 🌿 The author's journey not only helped him understand his mental health better but also connected him with a growing community of wild swimmers across the UK, where the activity has seen a significant surge in popularity since the 2000s.