Self-Care Experiment #6 - Beach walks with Barney
What my 14-year-old dog taught me about presence, connection, and slowing down.
Last week, I thought I was going to lose my dog Barney.
He’s 14, diabetic, blind, and recently—he's been a little more fragile than usual. One morning, he could barely get up. Except for food, of course (he’s still Barney). But I was scared. I shed a lot of tears. I made an emergency vet appointment, half-preparing myself for the worst.
But then—just before we left—he bounced back. Like magic.
The vet said he’s doing okay. Just old. Slower. A bit delicate. And as we got into the car, I realised… we hadn’t been to the beach in weeks.
And that’s his place. His whole-body-happy place.
So we went. And just like that, this week’s self-care experiment was born: Daily beach visits for both of us.
The Beach as a Healing Place
That first trip back to the beach was everything.
Barney was in his element—trotting along the shoreline, tail wagging, sniffing every plant, post, and person. He even snuck in a cheeky mouthful of rabbit poo (disgusting, but he loves it). He saw other dogs he knew. And for a while, we were just there.
No schedules. No performance. No pressure. Just two old souls, enjoying the sea air.
It reminded me that sometimes, self-care doesn’t need to be clever. It just needs to be familiar, joyful, and real.
Navigating Anxiety, Gently
The next day was Easter. The beach was packed. Big dogs, big crowds. And I felt it—that old anxiety. Barney and I have been attacked before, and I was bitten by a dog when I was five, so I was on edge.
But Barney? Cool as a cucumber. Trotting around, smiling at everyone, like the beach was his kingdom.
So I stayed. Breathed through the nerves. And realised—sometimes courage doesn’t mean pushing through. It means staying, softly.
Slowing Down and Letting Go
On Day 3, I found myself getting frustrated. Barney was in no rush. He sniffed every single thing. He weed on every single thing. And I had 20 things on my to-do list.
But then I stopped. Took a breath. And thought… none of this is urgent. I don’t do brain surgery. Most of my deadlines are self-imposed.
So I let go. Slowed down. Felt the sea breeze on my face. And once again, Barney became my teacher.
Connection, Even for Introverts
I’m a proud introvert. I love my alone time. But after four solo days over the long weekend, I was craving connection.
Watching Barney helped me realise something. He gets little bits of connection at the beach—friendly dog greetings, a sniff here, a wag there. And it lifts him.
Maybe we all need that. A small reminder that we belong. That someone sees us. Even if it’s just a dog nose boop.
Softening the Edges of Perfectionism
We didn’t make it to the beach every day. One day I was too tired. Another day it just didn’t work. But we went for a bush walk instead—and it was lovely.
And I didn’t beat myself up.
That’s something I’m loving about these self-care experiments. They’re helping me soften. I’m learning that doing something when I can is always better than abandoning it altogether.
Self-care isn’t a streak. It’s a rhythm.
🌿 What I’m Taking With Me
At the end of each experiment, I used to give it a rating. But I’ve realised—these aren’t things I’m trying just to judge them. I’m doing them to live more gently. So instead, here’s what I’m taking with me this week:
🌀 Healing can look like sand on your feet and a happy dog by your side
🌀 Anxiety doesn’t have to call the shots
🌀 Slowing down can be the most productive thing you do all day
🌀 Connection matters—whether it’s through a conversation, a smile, or a sniff
🌀 Flexibility in routine isn’t failure—it’s growth
We’re back in the groove now. Like we never stopped. The beach is Barney’s happy place. And I realised this week—it’s mine too.
Want to Try It Yourself?
Is there a place you and your loved one love? A little ritual that reconnects you to joy?
Maybe it’s the beach. Maybe it’s a bush walk. Maybe it’s just sitting outside with a cup of tea and a furry friend beside you.
This week, I hope you find your way back to it.
And if you’d like to gently track your own self-care experiments, you can download my free tracker below: