There are days when you think the pool is the problem. Too demanding. Too dramatic. Too wet. But sometimes, the water simply reflects the parts of you that got tired, too. This is a story about how a drop in water level became a spiral of guilt, denial, and eventual redemption. It is not just about pool water loss; it’s about losing your grip, and slowly finding it again.
Chapter One: A Subtle Sinking
It was just a little lower.
Like the waistline on my patience.
Like my motivation after a long week and no coffee.
I told myself it was evaporation. Just summer things. Just heat. Just life happening.
But water doesn’t lie. Not like I do to myself.
Chapter Two: Cracks in My Character
I forgot to test the water. Forgot to check for leaks. Forgot to care.
I noticed the waterline stain. It was a scar from my indifference.
I shocked the pool with a guilt trip. Overdid the chlorine. Let the pH rise like my stress.
The filter choked. It knew I wasn’t committed. Just showing up for the fix, never the maintenance.
Chapter Three: Denial in Deep End
“It’s not that bad.” “It’ll rain soon.” “I’ll top it off tomorrow.”
Tomorrow is a liar.
Meanwhile, the sun drank my pool like a cold soda. And the wind carried away my responsibilities one splash at a time.
I sat beside the pool, staring into the shallows. My reflection was tired. The water was tired of me.
Chapter Four: The Slow Return
I turned on the hose with a shaking hand. A promise disguised as plumbing.
I tested. I balanced. I cleaned the filter like I was apologizing.
One drop at a time, it filled again. My willpower came back just as slow.
Chapter Five: What the Water Taught Me
Don’t wait until things run dry. Don’t excuse laziness with weather. Don’t treat maintenance like punishment.
Your pool knows when you care. It reflects what you give it.
I gave it attention. It gave me clarity.
The surface shimmered. I didn’t recognize myself in it anymore. And that was a good thing.
