Hello There!

I’m Molly, and welcome to Mindful Diving!

I started this blog to document my scuba diving journey in marine conservation and to share the mindful moments I’ve found beneath (and beyond) the waves.

Diving began as an adventure, another thing to do while traveling. But the more I dove, the more it became a practice in presence, an escape from the noise and digital world, and a reminder to slow down.

That’s why I created Mindful Diving, a space to blend my love for scuba diving, marine conservation, and mindful living. Here, you’ll find ocean stories, reflections on breathwork, and journal prompts to inspire deeper connections with nature and yourself.

So whether you’re a diver, an ocean lover, or just someone looking for a little more calm in your life, welcome! Let’s dive in.

Backstory

I first started diving in 2022 in Cozumel, Mexico. I was completing my PADI Open Water course, and we were going out on our first boat dive. The dive site was Palancar Bricks. Everyone signaled they were ready to descend, and down into the sea we went. As I began descending, I looked below to see an eagle ray gliding effortlessly through the water. I stopped and stared, mesmerized by its beauty. That was the moment I fell in love with scuba diving (and the inspiration for Mindful Diving’s logo).

I completed my PADI Open Water certification with Cozumel Dive School and stayed on the island for three weeks, diving as much as possible, including my first shore night dive. Bit by the scuba diving bug, I wanted to do more. A few months later, I traveled to Taganga, Colombia, where I completed my PADI Advanced Open Water with Poseidon Dive Center near Tayrona National Park.

From there, I continued digital nomading through the Americas and Central Europe, making sure to dive at least once every six months to avoid having to take a refresher course. I went scuba diving in Jordan, Greece, Panama, and Belize.

At the beginning of 2024, after facing burnout, I decided to quit my corporate job and travel through Africa for 11 months. Since I was already planning to be in South Africa for Afrikaburn, I took the opportunity to stay on the continent and travel overland from Cape Town to Cairo. Of course, I went scuba diving everywhere I could, like South Africa, Mozambique, and Kenya.

The Turning Point

During my African travels, I had a lot of time to think and reflect. I already practice yoga and meditation regularly, but I began incorporating journaling into my mental health routine as a way to figure out what I truly wanted to do with my life. (Cue life crisis mode.)

Realizing my passion for exploring the underwater world and marine conservation, I decided to shift my career toward scuba diving.

Now

After making this decision, I completed my PADI Rescue Diver certification with Diving the Crab in Diani Beach, Kenya, and began searching for the right place to complete my Divemaster training. I wanted to volunteer with a marine conservation organization where I could learn about reef restoration and coral gardening while becoming a divemaster. That search led me to the perfect opportunity in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, and that is where my scuba diving journey begins.

Follow along as I document my experiences, share mindful diving insights, and explore the incredible underwater world. Let’s make some bubbles!