Seeing the Ocean Differently
Last Saturday, our Spiritus team spent the entire day at a diving resort in Jeju for an ocean cleanup activity. We had always known that marine pollution was a serious issue, but seeing it in person was completely different from reading about it or watching videos. With four people on our team, we divided ourselves into pairs so we could work more efficiently. Two of us went into the cold water to collect trash along the rocky underwater walls, while the other two stayed on land to receive the collected waste and organize it into large sacks.
The trash that came out of the ocean surprised all of us. There were plastic bags twisted around rocks, worn pieces of plastic that had drifted from faraway places, disposable containers softened by saltwater, rusty cans, fishing net fragments, and even small pieces of broken fiberglass. One moment that stayed with me was seeing a thin layer of oil floating on the water’s surface. The ocean that should have been clear and blue looked as if it was coated with a film of exhaustion. It felt like the sea was quietly telling us how long it had been hurting.
Working Together, Feeling the Weight
As we passed bags back and forth, the smell grew stronger and the sacks became heavier. Even so, none of us stopped or complained. Instead, we worked quietly with a shared purpose. Every piece of trash we picked up made me feel two things at once. I felt proud that we were doing something real and meaningful, but I also felt disappointed that so much waste had been sitting underwater unnoticed. It was painful to think about how many sea creatures had lived among this trash without a choice.
Because we divided our roles well, we collected far more waste than we expected. By the time we finished, the sacks were full and heavy, lined up like evidence of everything the ocean had been forced to carry. Seeing them filled me with mixed emotions. I felt proud of our effort, yet deeply aware of how much work remains to be done.
What Changed After We Finished
When we looked around the rocky shoreline again, the difference was clear. The water looked brighter and the atmosphere felt lighter, almost as if the ocean had taken a deep breath. Knowing that our hands had restored even a small part of this place filled us with quiet satisfaction.
Still, the experience reminded us that one cleanup cannot solve everything. We need long term solutions such as reducing plastic use, improving waste systems, and educating communities. The problem is much bigger than one volunteer day, but shared awareness and commitment can move us closer to change.
A Lesson We Carry Forward
This experience taught me that meaningful change often begins with small actions. It begins with a pair of gloves, a trash bag, and the willingness to help. It begins with people who choose to care even when no one is watching.
We ended the day tired but inspired. The ocean gave us a powerful reminder that protecting the environment starts right here, with us, and with the choices we make every day.
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