The Midlife

“The blahs” [the blahs] is an informal phrase used to describe a general feeling of boredom, lethargy, or mild dissatisfaction [the blahs, blahs]. If you are experiencing a case of the blahs, you can boost your mood by shaking up your routine, getting active, or listening to music like The Blah Blah Blahs on Spotify The Blah Blah Blahs on Apple Music. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Lately, I’ve had a mad case of the blah blahs. Google produced the above definition of my circumstance. I’ll add in that it feels like I should be doing something in my free time, but after all of the somethings I have to do are done, I only want to lie down. Or do nothing, which usually means watch TV or read. But is that technically nothing or would that indeed be a something? Who knows?

Because I am on a certain quest to try new things (i.e., avoid dementia and scroll rot), I ordered a few things to stimulate myself in new ways. I ordered a set of yo-yos (a responsive and non-responsive kind… look it up), a pickleball set, and a Mahjong set.

I used some loaner yo-yos for a class I was instructing at work, and became intrigued with throwing a yo-yo. After said purchase, the set has been sitting aside with a scant topping of dust. I will report back, as soon as this becomes the something I work on next.

A few weeks ago, I saw an old friend who has taken up pickleball. (Let’s be honest: We all know one person that is singing the praises of pickleball.) She looked thinner and more fit, and while I assumed it was the pickleball, it could have been something else like regular good nutrition. Either way, she inspired me to get a set, and my family and I are supposed to play this weekend. However, it is now raining this entire holiday weekend. So, we will try it as soon as the rain passes. That is my hope.

Lastly, Mahjong. American Mahjong, to be specific. I’m willing to bet, you have an elder in your family, perhaps a great-aunt or grandparent who plays Mahjong at the local 50+ center. I’m reading a book about how to play, and it has many rules, but I am going to try it. As soon as I finish this instructional book. I already have my set, which (like the yo-yo) is growing a scant topping of dust.

So, dear reader, what about you? What should you be doing right now? Or what do you wish you could be doing for fun in your spare time? Please leave a comment.

Hope that whatever something you find yourself doing, that it’s a fun one.