3 years ago my hubby was staring down the barrel of retirement—and excitedly so. We’d just sold our business and he was well and truly ready for a big old break. But little did he know I had a passion project brewing in my bones and not only was I sensing my timing was perfect, but a range of happenstance coincidences were piling up that seemed too hard to ignore. I really felt the universe was giving me some much-needed direction.
Having gifted a float to someone I love dearly who was going through one of life’s chaotic times, I was curious about whether the benefits were really as effective and amazing as I’d heard.
Does all that magnesium sulphate really soothe your soul and give you peace of mind and deep sleeps like promised? Would the weightlessness really alleviate muscle and joint pain? And what about the whole sensory restricted environment concept, because while I certainly wasn’t looking for a psychedelic experience, I was definitely intrigued by the thought of hitting the reset button on my brain that had been so cluttered with the noise of daily life.
So, fast forward to the day my curiosity met my first float, and it was not exactly a match made in heaven. By my own personal experience I can guarantee it’s 100% true that your first float is never your best float. In fact, I think I may have experienced my first—albeit mild by all accounts—panic attack during my own first float.
The fact the tank I was in looked like a coffin without any light source inside, which likely contributed to my trepidation, because I was so nervous I jumped in without taking a good look inside. I also forgot my earplugs which meant when my head rested on the water, it made my scared heart sound and feel like it was exploding out of my chest! And then my feet started hitting unknown objects at the foot of the tank which I certainly wasn’t prepared for. Suffice it to say, I was out of that tank faster than a speeding ticket!
But I’m very happy to report I did a little yoga breathing and convinced myself (after shining a light inside and having a good look around) to get back into that watery cavern, and I’m so glad I did! Probably 20 minutes into my second entry I was lulled to sleep in my completely supported and suspended state.
Emerging from that experience, I knew I felt different. I felt good—like I had been massaged for the last 6 hours—and yet all I had done was nothing! It’s definitely a weird concept (lying in a bed of 600kg of dissolved Epsom salts), but there was no denying I felt dreamy and slept like an absolute drunken (milk, of course!) baby for the next two nights.
So, the curiosity continued and brought me to my second float. And that experience was in a much bigger and newer style tank which literally felt like coming home. I’m a claustrophobic person at the best of times, but for me the comforting feeling of the cocoon (read: tank) wrapping around me and supporting every fibre in my body was the elixir I needed.
And that was the birth of the passion project! For the next two years I fantasized about sharing this experience with the masses. I couldn’t imagine anything making me as happy as being able to bring this amazing sensation to others, and watching the dreamy expressions emerging from the float rooms looking like they’ve discovered the key to relaxation.
We’re now 3 years in the making of Saltsoak, because one float in and my “almost retiree” husband was already sold. And although he acknowledges it has been my vision that’s brought us here, he’s also the one who reaps the rewards of floating every single day.
So what is your passion project?
