The time leading up to a big passage is usually filled with immeasurable amounts of nerves and anticipation as you carry out all the preparations that needs to be in place before departure. Such as maintenance, going over all your equipment, provisioning, refueling, studying the weather patterns of the area to passage planning etc. When you have ticked all the boxes and know that you are as prepared as you can be, you still hesitate as you are thinking of what you might have forgotten. When departure day gets closer, the fear and trepidation slowly starts creeping in and you feel excited and terrified at the same time.
In the first few days at sea on a big passage you go through a transition phase. From being on edge listening carefully to every sound on the boat, making sure it’s the familiar sounds of her creaks and groans and not anything new that could potentially cause major issues. Once you have settled in, surrendered to the solitude and the disconnection from landlife, you gradually let go of the majority of the preparation related stress. Your main focus becomes watching the constant changes in the weather and making sure you have the optimal sailplan for the course you are on.
Eventually you start to ease into the rhythm and movement of the boat, you become one with her and all her familiar sounds. You get to truly experience the magic of being at sea and get into this completely different mindset of acceptance of what is and enjoy it. You get to experience the true essence of really being in the present moment as you observe the constant changes around you on the horizon, the wind and waves as you slowly make your way forward by the force of nature.