How old do you feel?

     Thanks to Monticello Parks and Rec, and a good friend for the suggestion and getting the ball rolling, I began learning how to play pickleball last week.

     Four of us gals met at the Berndes Center one evening; three of us are newbies; one has certainly perfected the game.

     It was fun and we certainly developed the knack for wanting to keep at it!

     We’re lucky in this community to not only have the capabilities to play pickleball outdoors, but in the winter months as well.

     We all said learning the sport gives us something active to do over the winter. It gets you out, gets your moving, socializing, too.

     Several years ago, I tried to play tennis and quickly realized I had no coordination whatsoever. I assumed the same would be said of my attempt at pickleball. I was mistaken! Practice makes perfect, and with practice, I’ll get the hang of pickleball sooner rather than later.

     The great thing, too, about playing the sport is that people of all ages can learn and enjoy it.

     I recently came across a blog piece written by Ryan “Brain” Brainard from 98.1 KHAK. His blog is all about not caring about age; it’s just a number.

     Brain said being 47 doesn’t feel any different than 40. But for a young adult at 17, turning 18 feels like a milestone! People at this age start the countdown to 18 and 21. Being in my still-mid-30s, not so sure I’m counting up to 40 quite yet…

     I know that turning 21 felt pretty cool, at the time. I created some great memories in my 20s in college. I started my career in my mid-20s.

     Then, turning 30 felt slightly awkward. But then, seven years in, my 30s aren’t all that bad. Again, some great memories have been had and definitely more to come!

     A survey conducted by OnePoll, on behalf of ClearMatch Medicare, asked people at what age they stop caring about how old they are. The average answer was 43. Eighty-four percent of survey respondents said they’ve embraced the idea of aging.

     They survey also asked people what they enjoy about getting older… The top five responses:

     • More free time

     • Retiring

     • Being able to relax more

     • Quality time with family

     • Speaking your mind

     Brain said as he got older, he definitely felt as though he knew more about life than when he was a younger adult.

     “You gain knowledge by living your life,” he said.

     True statement! It wasn’t until I was in college that I took an active role in politics, my personal beliefs, standing up for my convictions, becoming an informed citizen and member of society.