I am not immune to this. However, I have found a solution. For now at least. Retire & buy a new bike. I cannot stop smiling & I think at age 67 that I have never enjoyed riding more.
Sent from my iPhone > On Sep 8, 2022, at 12:23 PM, Jay Lonner <jay.lon...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > It’s interesting to consider the age/phase of life angle. I’m 54, and I > recall seeing a graph some years ago about self-reported quality of life, > which hits a nadir in the early to mid 50’s before creeping back up. There’s > probably something to the “sandwich generation” phenomenon, which is to say > feeling squeezed by the needs of kids transitioning to adulthood on the one > hand, and aging parents on the other. > > It’s also true that I just don’t have the physical resilience that I used to > — my job requires long hours, with occasional overnight work. It takes me a > while to bounce back from a bad weekend of being on call. It makes it harder > to muster the activation energy to get on my bike and go for a ride, but I > almost always feel better when I do. > > So no magic elixir to rebottle the enthusiasm and vigor I used to have, maybe > just a resigned yet optimistic acceptance of what this new phase of life has > to offer. I very likely am veering well off-topic with these sorts of > musings, but thanks for the replies and reassurance that I’m not alone in the > struggle. > > Jay Lonner > Bellingham, WA > > Sent from my Atari 400 > >>> On Sep 7, 2022, at 4:10 PM, 'Scott Luly' via RBW Owners Bunch >>> <rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com> wrote: >>> >> >> Jay: >> >> I must say I found comfort in you sharing your state of doldrums. It's >> comforting knowing I'm not alone. I'm 53 and have been in same state for a >> few years now. It's unsettling. I have to really push to scare-up desire and >> passion towards hobbies/adventures that used to be abundant and readily >> available. I develop levels of self-frustration because I'm largely a >> content, happy person. That is to say, I have much to be thankful for and >> don't struggle to make ends meet. Before this spell I always found joy in >> the contagious nature of my enthusiasm towards my recreational activities. >> Where it went exactly, I don't know. Simply said, I'm not a depressive >> person, so it's not that. I'm a productive person. It's just that I've >> noticed I have more of a "chore" view towards considering new adventures. I >> look back at the level of effort and enthusiasm I used to put forth into >> planning, prepping for, and successfully completing adventures and it tires >> me out. >> >> For me, I think it's a phase in life thing: kids moving on to start their >> own lives, career, monotony, etc. >> Again, I've had a great life: much to be grateful and thankful for. I >> resigned from a long-held position 4 months ago and have been intentionally >> unemployed since, taking some time to refocus. I find the enthusiasm and >> passion cups gradually refilling. >> >> Anyways, I don't want to ramble on. But I felt compelled to reply. You're >> not alone. It's a life philosophy tour. For me it's a lot about the >> unsettled phase in life I find myself in and locating the desire/courage to >> MAKE change in the interest of destroying monotony. >> >> I never regret partaking in my hobbies: gravel rides, dirt biking, wing >> shooting. I just get frustrated being the impediment to doing same. >> >> Over the past few months, I get the feeling it's beginning pass, which is >> welcome. >> >> Best of luck my friend! Everyone has to deeply consider their own sources >> and solutions. Force yourself to do what you KNOW you love. Recognition is a >> great start! I'm getting better at conquering myself. >> >> Best, >> >> Scott in Montana >> >> On Tuesday, September 6, 2022 at 11:52:57 AM MDT, Jay Lonner >> <jay.lon...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >> >> Over the years my cycling has increasingly tended toward commuting/utility. >> Bike-centered vacations/tours remain on the menu, and are still very >> enjoyable to me, but the day-in, day-out feels like a chore. Part of this is >> seasonal — I have an easier time dealing with cool, wet conditions than hot, >> sticky weather. So maybe this problem will solve itself with the autumn >> rains imminent. But I’m wondering whether others ever get a case of cycling >> burnout, and maybe have some tips to work through it. >> >> Jay Lonner >> Bellingham, WA >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/77d0469b-5dc1-4647-97b0-624f3018916dn%40googlegroups.com. >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/320985703.31349.1662501587821%40mail.yahoo.com. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/623ED3EE-2364-45F9-9CF7-9AD1D207382E%40gmail.com. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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