This is the sort of documentary that really gives you that motivation to do more with your life and not just stay at home all the time and waste it away. Something as simple as jumping into a pond in the middle of winter when it’s freezing cold can change your whole trajectory on where your life is going.

The Ponds looks at three ponds that are in Hampstead Heath throughout all seasons, and we see the types of people that go to the area throughout the year. Of course in summer it makes sense people go to the ponds to cool down from the heat and spend time with their friends in the sunshine, however it’s much more interesting to look at the ponds during the colder months, because that’s when people with really fascinating back stories come out and have their own reasons as to why they are doing what they do.

One man goes to the ponds because he was hit by a bus and nearly died and this reminds him that he is alive, a woman goes because her mum died of breast cancer and then her sister got it and so did she and she just wants to make the most of her life while she can, and then there’s other people who do it more as a therapy thing or if they don’t do it their day doesn’t feel right, and it’s so nice to hear all these stories of how all these people are connected by these ponds but in such different ways.

I think it’s fascinating that so often people who have gone through hardship and tragedy are the ones that make the most of their life because they know that it could be over in an instant. They’re the ones that know that our time is limited and so they want to make the most of it because they have had that scare, however I don’t believe you should need to get to that point to be able to make a change in your life, to make it better, to live in the moment and make the most of it. I believe that everyone should be living each day as if it’s their last and while that may not be feasible for everyone, even adding in 10 minutes to go for a walk in the countryside or jump into a pond or go see a family member can be something so easy to do, and yet so many of us don’t do it because we just can’t be bothered and we think tomorrow is guaranteed.

If you need that push to go after something that you’ve always wanted but never went after, if you need that motivation to do something or say something, or be someone that you’re not then watching documentaries like this can really give you that push and make you realise that if you don’t make a change today when are you going to make it? If you keep making excuses what’s that going to get you? Tomorrow is never guaranteed so make the most of today and spend some time watching this documentary and really think, how can I better myself today? You don’t have to jump in a pond to do that but if you want to give it a go, it’s definitely got me thinking about it too.

What do you want to achieve with your life?

Until next time.

Published by shonaharding

Media graduate with a passion for reviewing film and TV. View all posts by shonaharding