That 'Brand New' Feeling

To launch their brand new website, Ryman's are asking bloggers what gives them that 'Brand New' feeling. Well, I love a new notebook or sketchbook...or in fact any new stationary! Writing on the first page is so exciting and strangely daunting at the same time. The first page has to be worthy so I make sure I use my best handwriting, or draw especially carefully. The first page contains so many possibilities, it is the beginning of something, something unknown! And I love that. I know I'm not alone in this stationary fetish!

But I had an ever better experience of feeling brand new just last week. We went on holiday to Whitstable, Kent and we were lucky enough to have the most amazing weather. (Watch out for a holiday post coming this weekend!) But whatever the weather I was determined that I'd swim in the sea. I grew up by the coast and I have always loved being at the beach. I'm not much of a sunbather to be honest but a swim in the sea? Oh yes please!

Swimming in the sea makes me feel alive. I get the feeling of being totally free, of being powerful and at the same time, of being very small compared to the vastness of nature. I have time to think, away from everything. And if you are swimming in the British seas you also get the added feeling of being very, very cold! But just for a while, until you get used to it. And then it is amazing, honestly.

And once you are done swimming you can wrap up in a towel, feet in the sand (or pebbles) and just listen to the sound of the waves. For me, there is no better way to feel brand new.

*in association with Ryman's