So this is a pretty hefty topic, there are so many different opinions and ways to be a mermaid these days.

If you have been around for a while, you will know that I am BIG into comfort and the overall experience of BEING a mermaid versus just LOOKING like a mermaid.

I definitely feel like there are two camps when it comes to being a mermaid: the mermaids who don't care or can cope with being unbelievably uncomfortable and the mermaids who can't stand being uncomfortable and will do whatever it takes to be cozy in their tails.


Simplicity for me has always been KEY. Less is more in my opinion and I feel very strongly that it IS possible to have a comfortable mermaid experience and still look MERmazing.

A lot of mermaids like to have BIG flukes and it can't definitely add to the stress on your body. That and wigs can add stress to your head/neck and upper back. Extra jewelry and lots of extra fabric and fins can really take away from your overall experience.

That being said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with all that I listed above and if you can handle it then go for it! If you can't then there are things you can do to help make it easier on yourself.

​Simplify your look. Use a fabric tail with a simple fluke shape/design. Opt for a flexible monofin, something not TOO heavy and something that fits you properly. You can wear lightweight accessories and be SELECTIVE. You don't need to wear every single piece of jewelry you own to make a statement.

Avoid halter-style tops that will add a lot of pressure to your neck and shoulders. Don't remove bra straps from your shell tops with the intent of replacing it with netting because it CAN and probably WILL dig into your skin.

Wear extra chest support if you need it!

You don't need to wear a full wig to have long hair! My favourite wig is actually half a wig that is sewn into a shell headband which takes some of the pressure off of my hair and face.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different options! When you go to the pool make a mental note so you know how you can make adjustments and improvements for next time.

I hope you found this helpful and I would love to hear what your tips are for making the mermaid experience more comfortable.

Don't forget to click the link below to listen to this week's podcast episode where we talk all about comfort as a mermaid!

Happy Swimming!
​Courtney

Building your confidence levels as a mermaid specifically in a mermaid tail, takes time, patience, repetition, faith, trust, and a little bit of pixie dust.

Surround yourself as best as you can with people that build you up. Find those people in your life that encourage you and let them in on what you are up to.

At the heart of your support system you are going to need to find it within yourself to change your inner dialogue and how you treat yourself. Speak kindly to yourself and with patience. This is uncharted territory for many and tell yourself things like, "this is so stupid," isn't going to be helpful.

Prioritize yourself. Be a little bit selfish if you need to. Remember that YOU matter, YOUR experience on this planet matters and at the end of the day the only opinion on mermaiding that matters is YOURS.

Believe me when I tell you that the vast majority of people care way more about themselves and the things going on in their world than they do about you and your mermaid tail.

You would be surprised by the number of times I have had someone staring at me with a weird expression, where I assumed they were judging me, only to have them swim over and ask me about my tail and how they could get started in the sport. SERIOUSLY.

You absolutely DO NOT need to hit the pool in full mermaid gear on your very first swim. Take your time and slowly build up your level of confidence. Rock a monofin to start, then maybe some leggings to get the mermaid vibes flowing.

There are no rules. Do it at your own speed, for YOU. 

Pay attention to your inner conversation. Listen to the story you are telling yourself and question all of the negative thoughts. Stop the negativity in its tracks and change your narrative! It's time to write a NEW STORY. Make it whatever you want it to be! 

If something goes wrong during your swim and you start to feel the anxious vibes creeping in, make a note and actively work to fix the problem for next time.

Be a problem-solving mermaid! Find the solution! You can do it!

An example would be if you hit the pool and had a wardrobe malfunction, because let's be honest, who hasn't... My top came CLEAN OFF once. I was MORTIFIED. You bet your fluke I avoided the pool for a while after that. That being said, I fixed the problem and the next time I went to the pool, I brought an extra top in case my fix didn't work. Ever since then, whenever I try something new, I ALWAYS plan a backup in case things go sideways.

Expect the best, prepare for the worst.

YOU ARE A MERMAID. 

You don't need to justify yourself or explain what you are doing to anyone (short of pool staff for safety reasons). Speak with authority, even if it feels weird. With practice it will feel better and people will take you more seriously.

If someone asks you what you are doing, tell them. Keep it short and sweet. Speak clearly. Practice in front of a mirror if you feel you need to. And don't you dare say anything derogatory about what you are doing.

You are a MERMAID. Say it loud and say it PROUD my fish!

Happy Swimming!
Courtney Mermaid

1. Mermaid Tail Care

• Use a gentle detergent to wash your mermaid tails after EVERY SINGLE SWIM.
• Take care of stains early to avoid buildup that is harder to remove later on.
• Fix damaged areas right away! Contact your tail maker if you need to for guidance.
• Be super gentle with your mermaid tail, treat it like you would treat your own skin/body.
  
  

​2. Hair Care and Skin Care

• ​Keep it simple when it comes to makeup for mermaiding. Everyone wants the fancy makeup, but let's be honest, it doesn't really show up underwater and it can kind of ruin the vibe sometimes. Darker eye shadow, highlighter, maybe a little lipstick is all you really need.
• Wash your face after swimming!
• Don't let chlorine sit in your hair! Rinse your hair out right away and then show your hair some love with a hair mask.
• Rinse out your eyes with artificial tears.
• Moisturize your skin!

3. Fuel Your Body

• Eat good whole foods that will fuel you, rather than bog you down at the pool.
• Take supplements like Vitamin B 50 Complex, Vitamin C, make sure to get your Calcium and Magnesium in, and make sure to replace those lost electrolytes!
• Don't overdo it! Care for your body after your swims and making sure you are properly warmed up before hitting the pool.

Hey my little fishes!

Today's video is an important one and it's brought to you by my amazing Patreon Pod over at PatreonPod.com!

I hope you enjoy today's video!

Happy Swimming!

Hey guys Courtney Mermaid here with Nerdmaid Faith (from Faith on the Bass) to talk to you guys about 10 Things you can do to avoid anxiety when swimming in public pools in your mermaid tails! Let's get started!

1. People are more concerned with themselves than they are about you.
Though you are likely to encounter the odd weird look/comment from people you meet at the pool, it is important to remember that people are typically way more concerned about themselves and what others think of THEM that they really aren't that concerned about what you are doing in a mermaid tail.

2. Be matter-of-fact when answering questions that skeptics ask you.
Be confident or "matter-of-fact" when you are answering questions. Sometimes it helps to rehearse your answers ahead of time so you can answer common questions with ease and less stress or anxiety.

3. Bring someone with you.
While you should never swim alone in your mermaid tail anyway, it can be really helpful to bring along a friend, fellow mermaid, parent, sibling or what have you. Be sure it is someone who you can easily talk to and that you are comfortable sharing your mermaid adventures with. These people make wonderful distractions and can make the whole experience seem more "normal" to onlookers.

4. Start off small.
If you don't feel prepared to deal with people's inquiries into your full mermaid tail, you can always start off small by wearing just your monofin or your monofin with leggings.

5. Swim during the off hours when the pool isn't super busy.
Call ahead and ask your local pool what the least busy swim times are and choose to schedule your swims around that. The fewer the people, the fewer the looks/questions.

6. Don't make assumptions. Stay in your own head.
This one cannot be overstated. Never assume you know what other people are thinking. This goes for more than just mermaiding, but let's stay on topic for now... People may be giving you a funny look and inwardly wishing they could do what you do. Never assume or put words/thoughts into other people's mouths/minds.

7. Have a goal for what you want to accomplish during your swim.
This is an excellent thing to do to help give you focus and to keep your mind in your own business. Knowing what you plan on doing or working on during your pool time will help you feel more confident.

8. Have a positive conversation (in your head) with yourself.
This is hugely important. Please, if you take anything away from this, this is it. Do not feed your negativity with negative thoughts. Catch yourself when you say things in you head like, "I bet that person thinks I look stupid" or "I suck at dolphin kick" or one that I catch myself on from time to time, "man I must look fat." Turn your negativity into something positive by changing the conversation. I know it sounds silly, but any time you think something negative, find something positive about yourself or the situation to counteract it. It takes practice, but this will make a huge difference in your experience, I promise.

9. Remember to be respectful of others and the pool environment.
Do your best to be respectful of the people swimming around you. It will help your overall experience and how people react to you if you aren't hogging all the lanes or flipping your fins in their faces or leaving a huge mess of sequins, hair clips etc.

10. Leave extra time.
The stress of the time it can take to set up and get in and out of your tail can add to the feeling that people are watching/judging. Leaving yourself extra time (and not rushing) will keep you calm and relaxed. I have a little trick that I use, if I'm getting worked up, I breathe in for the count of four, hold for the count of one and then exhale for the count of four and repeat. Repetitive, evenly spaced breathing will help calm and slow you down.

And those are 10 things you can do to avoid anxiety when swimming in public pools in your mermaid tails! A huge thank you to Nermaid Faith for doing this collab with me, be sure to check out her channel for the next portion of this collab where we talk all about mermaid tail safety! If you enjoyed this video please feel free to give it a thumbs up and don't forget to hit that subscribe button for more mermaid adventures!

Thanks for watching and I look forward to seeing you all in the next video!