Looking for some insight into being a mer

[Amphitrite]

Hey everyone. I became a member here a few years ago and am just getting back into things. I don't have my own tail or even a monofin! I do have a lot of questions though about a few things. Not sure if this is the place but here goes...

I have a few different things that may make it hard to be a mermaid. One that I am thinking of is that I can't sit on the ground longer than 5 minutes. My body from the waist down goes completely numb. I think this would be a major setback, maybe make it a no go to even get a tail. What do you guys think???

[Mermaid Danielle]

You could focus on mainly swimming. Would you be able to lay on your stomach instead? Have you talked to a doctor about the numbness? There may be special therapy and/or exercises you can do at home to help... Good luck!

[Amphitrite]

Okay, swimming I can do. I will talk to my doctor about getting numb. My Dad has the same problem so I'll see. I actually float when I swim. I can't sink. :p Would that be a problem?

[Ashe]

For the floating problem, I'll just say that getting a neoprene tail wouldn't be a good idea. Those babies float like crazy! :D You can always buy a weight belt as well. They are specially made to keep you from floating. Some mers on here like Nerine the Arctic Mermaid make weight belts that look very mermaidy :)

[Amphitrite]

lol yeah I can see where getting a neoprene one would be a bad idea. :p I think I remember hearing of a weight belt once a long time ago. It's something I would have to look into. :)

I'm thinking that for myself, becoming a better underwater swimmer and getting a monofin would be good places to start.

[AniaR]

you might enjoy my book. hint hint, in my signature!

[Amphitrite]

LOL Ania. Probably! And I got my paycheck this week. I'm so bad, I have a few books that I want, but I also have about 50 on my list to read that I already have. :p But I think that might not be such a bad idea to look in to. :) That might have to wait two more weeks. I have my own little fishies to take care of and they need stuff. :(

[Miyu]

Amphitrite, I know what you mean about going numb! I inherited some seriously wimpy circulation, so I can't even sit the same way for 5 min in any way - on a chair, couch, ground, even when I'm asleep I have to re-adjust every 5 min or so or I'll wake up 20 min later to shooting pain and the inability to move my limbs! It would scare me a lot as a child, before I formed the habit of adjusting in my sleep. I'd wake up crying and drag myself army-style through the house, up stairs, to my parents' room.

Sitting on the ground, I've noticed a few things help. Thick foam pads - like really thick yoga mats or sleeping pads for camping - really help when sitting on hard ground, like rocks/cement/hard dirt. If that's not available, a few towels also work. I'll probably be making a thick "mermaid mat" for gigs and swims in general, something to sit on that will also help protect my tail. I'm also planning on getting one of those nice, really reclining poolside chairs (Like the ones you lay on to get a tan vs. an actual chair) and decorating it a bit for gigs, for when I'm not going to be sitting poolside.

I also try to keep my circulation going when I am just sitting anywhere... tapping my feet usually (I try to be really quiet, because I am aware that it's annoying). So, maybe especially with your tail on keeping your legs together, when you are sitting in it and not swimming, wiggling your fluke around a lot might help a little bit. It annoys the carp out of some people, but I learned to be a fidgety person to keep my circulation going so I don't suddenly collapse in either numbness or pain.

It is a good idea to see your doctor about the numbness, they'll be able to tell you what's causing it. I'm lucky in the fact that it's just bad circulation for me. If it's the same for you, then hopefully my ideas can help...

[Alveric]

I would see a doctor just to be sure. A friend had very similar symptoms. It turned out she had a very mild form of spina bifida. It had to be corrected by surgery, a blow to the back or a bad fall could have paralyzed her.

[halesloveswhales]

I have found that at the children's pool parties that I do, most of the swimming is actually floating anyway. floating and talking to the children above the water. So don't be worried that you float, unless you are hoping to do more of the freediving or modeling aspects of mermaiding. I don't think you'll have a problem. We have seen girls with all sorts of setbacks become mermaids: girls who can't swim, have huge health problems, etc. You may have to adapt your plans for mermaiding into some sort of mermaiding that fits your abilities, but your setbacks shouldn't stop you from following your dreams. <3

[Miyu]

I agree with Hales - we have all sorts of mers here! Heck, Princess Kae-Leah is a dry-only mer due to health reasons. I'm secretly envious, because she can use fabulous tails and not have to worry about monofins or any of the regular wear-and-tear/maintenance that us swimming mers do!

[Anahita]

Definitely go see a doctor about the numbness... But as for mermaiding definitely get Raina's book, Fishy Business.

My partner bought it for me as a belated birthday/anniversary gift, it was awesome! Raina really put a lot of thought into it, and she covers like EVERYTHING, from tail materials and care, to mersonas, modeling and photography, and how to start your mermaid business and get bookings if you want to become a professional. She also covers a lot on how to do kids birthday parties if you're interested in doing that (because children aren't always the easiest/most predictable people to perform for), and how to calculate costs to figure out what to charge... Etc. It's definitely worth buying, because it's really an indispensable resource.

[Merman Arion]

Definitely go see a doctor about the numbness... But as for mermaiding definitely get Raina's book, Fishy Business.

My partner bought it for me as a belated birthday/anniversary gift, it was awesome! Raina really put a lot of thought into it, and she covers like EVERYTHING, from tail materials and care, to mersonas, modeling and photography, and how to start your mermaid business and get bookings if you want to become a professional. She also covers a lot on how to do kids birthday parties if you're interested in doing that (because children aren't always the easiest/most predictable people to perform for), and how to calculate costs to figure out what to charge... Etc. It's definitely worth buying, because it's really an indispensable resource.

Yup! I second that statement.
Raina is pretty much a life savior. There is nothing you can't do thanks to her book. :)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-W_rZzDK2_Kg/TkcaBdF9mkI/AAAAAAAABo8/1t8wb5mROAA/nywork-scared.gif

[Anahita]

Frenchie, your gifs today are giving me a fit of giggles! Thank you :)

[Merman Arion]

Frenchie, your gifs today are giving me a fit of giggles! Thank you :)

you're welcome :hug:

[xaccer2]

евре (http://audiobookkeeper.ru/book/3287)

[xaccer2]

201.4 (http://cottagenet.ru/plan/863)

[xaccer2]

Bett (http://eyesvision.ru)

[xaccer2]

Atne (http://eyesvisions.com/physics/40)

[xaccer2]

(183 (http://factoringfee.ru/t/284548)