It’s 5:17am, and I’ve started my walk along the beach. No swim today… just the walk.
And honestly, today’s theme is simple: no matter what you’ve got going on in your life, you’ve still got time for this.
The ‘5amers’—they’re always here. Some jogging along the main stretch, some heading from Manly to Shelley, maybe even up to DeadMan’s for that view. Early starts don’t stop them.
And I get it. Because today’s a big day for me too—early, long, full—but here I am, walking along the sand in the dark.
You’re not alone out here either. There are shadows moving ahead… people showing up.
To my left, the beach machine’s already at work. Looks like it’s garbage day too trucks, flashing lights, noise, movement. Not what you’d call peaceful…
But then you look to the right.
The waves rolling in. The sound of the ocean. Stars still hanging in the sky. And the moon, just past full, sitting there quietly.
And somehow… it all balances.
As I’m walking, the waves roll over my feet. At first I’m like- ooh, that’s cold…
But then – it’s actually warm.
We’re in May, heading into winter, and somehow the ocean feels cosier than the air.
Sometimes the thing you expect to be uncomfortable… is actually where the comfort is.
It’s 5:24 now… and you can see the horizon starting to shift.
There’s just a hint of light breaking through the clouds. Nothing dramatic yet – but it’s coming.
Things don’t change all at once. It’s subtle at first… easy to miss if you’re not paying attention.
But if you’re here for it – you get to watch it happen.
I’m walking back toward Manly Surf Club now, and André’s just lapped me.
He’s either just done or about to finish his second run from Manly to Queenscliff. Two laps… that’s serious fitness.
But that’s the thing about this place – everyone shows up differently.
Some people are chasing performance… pushing limits.
And others, like me today, are just here to walk, to think, to take it in.
Same place. Same time. Completely different pace.
I’ve seen my early morning crew… got my usual ‘hello’ from Phil and co.
It’s familiar. It’s grounding.
You show up enough times, and it’s not just a beach anymore – it starts to feel like your space… your people.
I did miss one of my regulars this morning – Lish was busy on a condition report.
But that’s how it goes… everyone’s got their own rhythm, even here.And that’s the thing… serenity isn’t about silence. It’s about where you choose to stand in the noise.
💙 Deb