Add curiosity to your practice.
What if I breathe to the other side?
What if I push off on the other side?
Why are we doing this set? What is the goal?
Am I propelling myself forward in every stroke? Or am I going side to side? Or up and down?
What is the purpose of this piece of equipment? What will happen to my body in the water when I don’t have it anymore? Does it inform my swimming? Or do I have to relearn my body in the water without it?
Curiosity is the cure to your crutch(es).