Post play in my tennis whites.
Ever since starting my dietetic internship in October, I’ve felt like a juggler in the circus. I’ve been working desperately to keep all my balls (or jobs) in the air while not letting anything drop. I was working 7 days a week, and spending my weekends either volunteering in the community, giving presentations or work on assignments. I would arrive back at the office or hospital on Monday morning feeling like it was the middle of the week and wondering if I ever get a break.
I knew this schedule would be nearly impossible to maintain for the next year, so I decided to give myself Saturdays off. I was thrilled when the next Saturday rolled around and I would have what I like to call “Megan Time”. To my surprise, I found myself not knowing what I even liked to do. To me running errands, washing clothes and fitting in my daily workout does not classify as “Megan Time”. I asked myself the question, “What would you really like to do for enjoyment”? After some reflection, I decided I wanted to play tennis.
I played a little tennis as a child and would go to a few summer camps and took some lessons here and there. What I remember most was playing the game Queen of the Court and always wanting to win so I could receive the prize….a can of soda! This was a big deal since my mom never allowed soda in our house. Since childhood, I picked up a racquet again a few years ago while living in San Diego and played with a girlfriend after morning swim practices. We were at the perfect skill level for each other and loved our “Ladies of Leisure” mornings. Being back on the east coast, I haven’t thought much about getting back into a tennis playing routine.
Since I now decided I wanted to play, I had to find my way to a court. I looked up winter programs in my area and quickly found there were many possibilities. I settled on a Thursday evening beginner skills program at Georgetown Prep High School and was excited to once again sport my white pleated tennis skirt. When Thursday evening came, it took everything in my power to actually get to the lesson. I was tired, it was cold, and the only thing I wanted to do after work was drink a Starbucks and relax at home.
Following the first class, I was hooked! Having a great instructor, being around new people and learning a semi-new skill felt exhilarating. I hadn’t smiled as much as I did that night in months. I've returned to lessons each week and was thrilled last week when we had the chance to play Queen of the Court. This time around I wasn’t playing for the soda, but for the sweetness of competing and doing something that brings me pure enjoyment.
