Ask Amy: Traumatized veteran seeks healing
I am deep into the blahs, and I’m not sure what to do about it. My friends and I don’t seem to jell with each other the way my wife and her friends do.
I’m looking for ideas on how to enhance my life.
Your thoughts?
– In the Blahs in Mid-life
Dear Blahs: I prescribe regular exercise, whether it is on your own or with a group. If you sing or play an instrument, a “dad band” might be a fun diversion. Check social media for postings.
Pickleball is all the rage for a reason. It’s fun, fairly easy to play, and if you’re with the right group that isn’t too crazily competitive, it will get your heart racing without being too stressful.
You and your wife might not be able to play mixed-doubles because of your parenting duties, but you should look into whether this sport could help to pull you out of your blahs.
Dear Amy: Responding to “Controlled Husband,” many years ago, about a month into my father’s retirement (when we were all sitting down at the dinner table) my mother said, "Honey, I married you for better or worse. But not for lunch.
I want you to go to your studio, (he was an artist), for at least four hours a day. I don't care what you do there. Read the paper, paint, have an affair. Anything. Just please get out of the kitchen."
– Fond Daughter
Dear Daughter: I felt so sorry for this retired man, whose wife was insisting that he stay out of the house for most of the day. I assume your mother’s message was well-received and helpful.
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(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)
©2023 Amy Dickinson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
