Just Say Know

To improve mental health, learn new skills on the road—and have fun doing it

- Stephanie Vermillion.

I WAS FLOATING above kaleidoscopic coral, enveloped by the cerulean, fish-packed sea, when a realization hit me: This is why people scuba dive. I’d spent the months prior to this adventure tackling the hard part—learning how to scuba dive. On paper, the goal had sounded simple. I’d study, train, then complete my Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) open-water certification in Bonaire, a Dutch Caribbean island known for bustling sea life and a top-notch diving scene. I’d forgotten one thing, though: Learning a new skill can be tough, especially if you’re out of practice.

I was a sponge during my school and early career years. I studied, read and even threw myself into extracurriculars such as running. This zest continued into my late 20s and early 30s, with a career pivot that required adopting a new set of skills, including writing and photography.

But when the pandemic pressed pause on life, I slipped into a state of comfort. I forgot what it felt like to challenge myself and grow. Then an invitation to learn scuba diving hit my inbox—it was time to shed my pandemic shell. Going from ground zero to trained scuba diver bobbing above Bonaire’s vibrant coral left me feeling more confident than I had for years.