I never really thought about water much when I was younger.
I spent hours in the garden, just picking and pruning, soaking up the warm summer sun. I’d stay outside until I finished whatever I was doing. If I got thirsty, I’d just grab a drink when I came back inside.
Growing up, we didn’t have conversations about drinking water. We’d play outside until dinner time. There were fountains in the parks and hoses in the backyards. If you felt thirsty, you drank; if not, no big deal.
Even when I had kids of my own, water intake was pretty straightforward. Babies needed a certain amount, and older kids drank when they felt like it. It worked just fine.
Eventually, my garden routine started to involve more things. I’d already been wearing a hat for ages, but over time, I added in sunglasses, long sleeves, and my little garden bench. These extras helped shield me from the sun and gave me a spot to sit while I planted or harvested, no matter how long it took.
They made me comfortable and allowed me to enjoy my time outside longer than I would have otherwise. It wasn’t until later that I thought to add a water bottle to my gardening gear.
A close friend of mine lived to be 100, and in her 90s, there was a time when people were concerned she might be getting a bit forgetful. Turns out, she was dehydrated. After that got sorted, she regained her mental sharpness.
That really stuck with me.
Not because it scared me. Because no one noticed right away.
It made me wonder how many small things change like that. Quietly. Without asking for attention. Without causing trouble. You keep going, just slightly off, and don’t know why.
It happened so quietly, without any drama. Just a body needing something it hadn’t before. And it was something so simple that I had never truly focused on.
I realized then that some needs sneak up on you.
I decided to pay a little more attention.
I started keeping a bottle close by and drinking from it more often.
Not all changes that come with aging need fixing.
Now, whenever I head to the garden, I toss a water bottle in my basket. I sip while I work.