The Tranquil Vintessa

This year is my year of embracing me—trying all the things on my bucket list and doing everything my anxiety tells me I can’t or shouldn’t. I’m not living in the shadows anymore; I’m embracing myself and my journey. That’s why, for my birthday, I decided to try float therapy. It had been on my bucket list since college (years ago) and never made it out of the “that would be nice” phase. But with no real plans for my birthday and wanting to keep things chill, I figured now was the perfect time—plus, they were having a promotion, so I had to go.

If you’re not familiar, float therapy is a type of sensory deprivation therapy where you float in a tank filled with water and Epsom salt. The water is kept at around 93 degrees and contains 1,000 pounds of salt, creating a buoyant environment where you can float effortlessly in a soundproof tank. This technique is great for relieving stress, promoting relaxation, and easing aches and pains (with continued use).

I chose float therapy partly out of curiosity but also because I wanted something more relaxing and unique than a traditional massage. Don’t get me wrong—I love a good rubdown—but I just wanted to lay back and relax, with no one talking to me, no worrying about pressure or time, just me and myself vibing.

When I arrived at the center, I was giddy with excitement. Not just because I was ready for the experience, but because I was actually following through on something for myself. I had planned out every detail (like I always do)—even bringing a shower cap to protect my hair. Spoiler: It fills up with water and pulls you down. Don’t do that. I always feel the need to plan everything meticulously, so I had a whole bag of things I thought I’d need. I was ready, and I was sure everyone would be impressed. I walked in wearing my favorite green maxi dress, sipping my tea, with my signature frizz-laden hair, excited for what was to come.

After being greeted, I got a tour of the facility, which included an oxygen bar, teas, and a community journal where people wrote about their experiences. I knew I wanted the full experience, so I made a mental note to check out the oxygen bar after my session.

In my private room, I took a pre-float shower to remove any lotions and deodorant that could affect the water. After that, I prepped my hair and hopped into the tank, attempting to sit down—only for my legs to shoot straight up because of how buoyant the water was! I couldn’t help but laugh. I slid the doors closed, and as soft music began to play, I leaned back, letting my body glide across the tank. My toes lightly tapped the edges until I became still.

After a few moments, I felt my neck pulling. When I sat up, I realized my shower cap was full of water, dragging me down, and water was getting into my ears! Quickly, I ripped the cap off and plugged in the complimentary earplugs. Begrudgingly, I laid back, letting my hair soak in the salt. I had to accept it. But I couldn’t. I kept shifting, trying different positions, moving around, playing in the tank, letting my mind race while constantly reminding myself to relax.

Finally, I just said, F** it. I’m just gonna lay here.*

And that’s when the relaxation hit. My mind went quiet. I was able to enjoy the experience, even squeezing in a quick nap.

Once my session was over, I got out, showered again, and headed to the bathroom area, where they had hair dryers and extra towels to dry off.

While enjoying the oxygen bar, I reflected on the experience. At first, I thought it was just a cool, one-off experience—something interesting but not necessarily something I’d do again. But as the eucalyptus oxygen filled my nostrils, a wave of calm washed over me. I felt energized. Relaxed. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like me—carefree, happy, and without a single worry in the world.

Afterward, I stopped by a bakery I’d been wanting to visit, picked up some sweet treats, and went home to enjoy the rest of my day.

Float therapy was not only a relaxing experience, but it also reminded me that no matter how much you plan, things don’t always go the way you expect (see: shower cap disaster). Sometimes, meticulously planning can put you in a worse position than if you had just let things be and enjoyed the moment. Let things get a little inconvenient. Bite your tongue. See how they play out. Sometimes it’ll be good, sometimes it won’t—but in most cases, it’s fixable. My hair could be washed. My skin could be rehydrated. And had I just listened, my ears wouldn’t have needed a deep cleaning either.

If you’ve ever been curious about float therapy, I highly recommend it. It was an amazing experience, and I know I’ll be going back—not just to relax for an hour, but also to remind myself that life is so much better when you just let go.

Have you ever tried float therapy? What was your experience like? Let me know in the comments!