Unpacked by AFAR · Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Emma John contrasts the freedom experienced on road trips with the different kind of freedom found in spas. While road trips offer the liberty to make spontaneous choices, spas provide a freedom from thinking and decision-making, allowing one to "let things happen." She found this particularly true in salt water floats, which made her feel held and present in her body.
“The thing about spas is that you don't need to make loads of choices. It's a different kind of freedom. It's a freedom to not think and not make choices.”
“And I just think that's why water is so great because there's something about immersing yourself in water that takes you slightly out of your mind, I think, and puts you back into your body.”
“And it was like, it was like sitting in a warm spoon. I felt like I was being held up by a warm spoon. And I was like, that that's what it is. It's like just letting, letting things happen.”