The best way to conquer your fear is to face it. Yes. I’m all about that, and I also believe in celebrating every small achievements along the way. I used to be afraid of the open water but today, I’m a certified Open Water and a Nitrox Diver.

Let me share this with you; I used to be afraid of water. My first introduction to the underwater world wasn’t exactly gentle or pleasant. I was first introduced to the underwater world back in Oct 2016, in Pulau Tioman. It was a sponsored trip by the Berjaya Group, where influencers and members of the media were invited to cover for their TICD program (Tioman Island Clean Up Day).

I was inexperienced. I didn’t know how to swim in the sea, and during the snorkeling session, they dumped me alongside with my husband and son in the middle of Renggis Island in Tioman where the surface of the water is freaking rough and choppy. It was actually a dive spot and very deep too. Thinking back, it was already near monsoon and even by a scuba diver’s standard, the water was terribly rough then. 😑😑😑

My first thought when we got down from the boat to snorkel was; I’m gonna die, cuz I felt the water was pulling me down and I’ll drown anytime. I really feel as if I’ll drown as the surface was really choppy and my life-jacket was somewhat oversize and it feels like it’s choking me up more than keeping me afloat. I had no idea back then that it’s impossible to be pulled down by the water and sink, cuz the water density is high enough to keep you afloat. I didn’t like the feeling. I hated the feeling of snorkeling even more. I keep swallowing salt water through my snorkel and my mask was foggy.

It was scary, but despite of my fear and the foggy mask, I managed to get a glimpse of the beautiful marine creatures down there. The corals were practically in full bloom with small fishes swimming around. It’s an entirely different world I’m seeing and I was immediately enchanted by it. I wanted to be part of this world and wanted to explore it. It was simply mesmerizing and I thought it’s such a shame that I’m afraid of this. I kept thinking then, if only I can conquer my fear.

Fast forward to 2019, I was invited to do coverage again, and this time around it was in Perhentian. Again, my family and I went snorkeling. This time around, I was much more prepared and know what to expect on the snorkeling part. The water was slightly choppy and wearing the life-jacket was still uncomfortable as ever, but this time around I was using my own snorkel and mask and it fits me better and I’m able to somewhat enjoy snorkeling. It feels easier and more relaxing this time around. We did a 4 hours of snorkeling straight and I thought, I should take this to another level; go try scuba diving.

And so I dragged my husband to try scuba diving with me with the excuse of celebrating his birthday and our anniversary and signed up for the Open Water Diver Course after a few months of slow brainwashing and coaxing. 🤣🤣🤣

After some Covid19 lockdown hiccups in 2020, we finally got ourselves certified. The rest is history.

It’s now 2021. From not knowing how to swim and flailing in the water, I’m now dragging my husband, who is now somewhat upgraded into my personal exclusive dive buddy with me to dive in lakes with limited visibility. Yea. I’m badass like that.🤣

It doesn’t take just a day or two to conquer my fear. It took years and gosh, what a journey it was.

My advice to all of you out there who is afraid of water but want to try diving, don’t be afraid. Nobody is going to dump you into the sea and leave you to survive it. If you sign up to try for scuba diving, your first breath underwater will always be in a confined and controlled environment; and shallow enough that you will be able to stand, under strict supervision of diving professionals who will monitor you carefully like a hawk. So guys, don’t be afraid to try.

The best way to conquer your fear is to face it. Trust me. I know this first hand. 😁