Putting Pickleball in its Place

 

I tried pickleball once. It didn’t take. It seems I’m in the minority with pickleball courts sprouting up all around me—the pickleball craze is getting crazier by the second. But I stand by my opinion: pickleball is not for me.

When I was little, my dad tried to teach me how to play tennis. Multiple times. It didn’t take. I remember once he gave lessons to my entire Girl Scout troop so we could earn a tennis badge. After several tortured weeks of hearing “racquet back early” and “keep your eye on the ball,” I finally sewed the little round emblem onto my sash. And put down my racquet for good.

I briefly came out of tennis retirement when I met Paul. I was sitting in my office cubicle when I saw him come out of the bathroom. He had just changed from his suit into his tennis shorts and was heading toward the elevators for an after-work match. And boy, did he look cute in those tennis shorts.

When we started dating, he asked me if I knew how to play. “Sure!” I said enthusiastically. “I’ve got my Girl Scout badge in tennis!” Apparently, I must have looked cute enough in my tennis togs that Paul overlooked my obvious lack of skill. I tried; I really did. We even vacationed at a tennis ranch where I spent an entire week hearing the pros yell, “racquet back early” and “keep your eye on the ball.” Eventually, though, I concluded it was Paul I liked—not racquet sports.

So, here I am cleaning out my closet and I come across a t-shirt that says, “Well paint me green and call me a pickle ‘cuz I’m done dillin’ with you.” I bought this shirt to wear the first—and only—time I ever played pickleball. The shirt was funny. Trying something new with my friends was stimulating. But the reality is that I’m not going to invest anymore of my time with pickleball. For me, it wasn’t fun. I tuck the t-shirt into the giveaway bag.

I just finished reading The Fun Habit by Mike Rucker Ph.D., so I’ve been thinking a lot about fun recently. Did you know that pursuing fun is beneficial to both your physical and psychological well-being? In one of the chapters, Rucker talks about the benefits of reminiscing. When you stop to pay attention to an experience, "you’re learning about what really lights you up and what you might pass on next time.” As you are mindful, you better understand which activities might bring you joy. I’m finding that’s one of the benefits of undertaking this clean out process: As I learn what I have in my closet, I’m also reflecting on myself—what I value, what brings me joy, and where I find fun.

Having fun doesn’t necessarily mean being irresponsible. “On the contrary,” Rucker says. “We come with the capacity to pursue our ‘meaningful’ pursuits with more vigor.” Like now, for instance. I’m cleaning out my closet and the giveaway bag is filling up. It’s so satisfying, and, dare I say it?

More fun than a game of pickleball!