10 months ago
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Posted On: January 13th 2026, 12:34 am
Yesterday afternoon marked year four of plunging into the Atlantic with the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, a ritual of freedom, light, and connection.
Unlike past years, I had the flu on New Year’s Day. A perfect excuse not to go. But once I felt better, something clicked. I reached out and asked them to help hold me accountable.
“Meet us Sunday at 12:30.”
What followed was one of the best experiences of my life.
The Bears stay in 5–20 minutes. We warmed up with jumping jacks, then held hands in the water as a conch shell signaled our collective plunge. Sacred feels like the right word.
I expected 20 seconds. Maybe a minute. Instead, after hanging mostly in the shallow end, I surprised myself and hit 10 minutes.
Mission accomplished.
Unlike past years, I had the flu on New Year’s Day. A perfect excuse not to go. But once I felt better, something clicked. I reached out and asked them to help hold me accountable.
“Meet us Sunday at 12:30.”
What followed was one of the best experiences of my life.
The Bears stay in 5–20 minutes. We warmed up with jumping jacks, then held hands in the water as a conch shell signaled our collective plunge. Sacred feels like the right word.
I expected 20 seconds. Maybe a minute. Instead, after hanging mostly in the shallow end, I surprised myself and hit 10 minutes.
Mission accomplished.
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