Issue No. 26
There’s something about being surrounded by open ocean that forces you to meet yourself.
No filters. No distractions. Just you, your breath… and 140 feet of deep, unknown water.
This July, I spent four days sailing off Catalina Island with three of my girls. No plan. No pressure. Just a mission to reset, laugh, float, and feel alive again.
Floating Between Fear and Freedom
I’ve always had a complicated relationship with the ocean.. equal parts fascination and “get me tf out of here.” But this time… I faced it.
I climbed to the top of a fishing boat (basically a two-story building) and stood there barefoot with literal tears in my eyes. Then I jumped.
Straight into 140 feet of cold, endless blue.
My body hit the water like a memory I’ll never forget. And just like that, I proved to myself I could do things that scare me. Over and over again.
First Catches & Sea Friends (Almost)
Somehow I also:
- Caught my first fish ever (yes, she’s an angler queen now),
- Tried to feed a seal with a barracuda (it didn’t go as planned),
- Hung over the side of the boat for over 90 minutes, trying to convince said seal to trust us.
Spoiler: five floating heads hovering above a snack = suspicious vibes. He swam close. Really close. But wasn’t about that ambush energy.
Sunset Sips & Soul Time
When we weren’t jumping off boats or fishing, we were sun-drenched and slightly buzzed watching the sky paint itself in dusty pinks and coppers while the waves whispered stories below.
There’s nothing quite like:
- Being wrapped in salty wind and warm laughter
- Falling asleep to the soft sway of the sea
- Waking up in the middle of the ocean with a heart that feels so damn full
The Vibe?
Courage. Stillness. Sisterhood. Nature. Play.
Getting messy and quiet all in one breath.
Coming home with sunburnt shoulders and a softer mind.
Just a Reminder
You don’t have to go far to feel free.
And you don’t have to be fearless to do the brave thing anyway.
Catalina gave me exactly what I didn’t know I needed.
Aly | Los Angeles & Dana Point Hair Artist 