Hello gentlepeople,
I am still trying not to do “the most” while I am tending to myself post-hospitalization. I am calling it a “low dribble” season.
As a tall woman, many people in my life felt they could tell me I should play basketball.1 But the most I could do was shoot. I sucked at dribbling.2 So there is some irony in finding value in the metaphor of a “low dribble” to talk about life right now.
The low dribble is to be used whenever you are closely guarded. This type of dribbling simply entails keeping the ball low to the floor and in your control. 3
But it makes sense. (It makes sense, right?) That in this time of recognizing how much help I need to be okay every day, I am “closely guarded,” and focused on matters within my control.
Here are some things I am not doing during this season, followed by their low dribble alternatives.
I am not starting new projects. I am finishing the old ones.
I am allowing myself to dream about potential projects.
I am not traveling outside of Boston/RI this summer.
But I welcome gentle activities/visits/plans with friends locally and abroad.
I will not create a summer reading challenge.
I will revisit texts I love and slowly pick up new books when I am ready.
Finally, I will not be graduating in May.
But I will in August, after finishing the semester’s materials at a slow pace.
Some people may wonder, why even play at all? Just sit on the bench for the rest of the game. The people who ask that question or offer that response don’t know how much I stand to lose if I stop moving.4 Since I can’t stop moving, I will move as slowly and as carefully as I can stand to. I use “low dribble” to say I am still in the game. I am minding my moves, and the moves of those around me to decide my steps carefully.
I am still in the game. Longing for my gentle landing and wishing you yours.
Landing Track
Have you ever been—or found yourself in—a low dribble season? What are the goals you’ve had to adjust in that season?
I have four siblings who did, though. Still, as a general takeaway don’t tell people what they should do with their lives based on their appearance alone.
The Pentecostal long jean skirts I used to wear didn’t help.
Here’s one reason: CAPITALISM.
a low dribble season
I looooove this. What a brilliant metaphor. (I'm also a tall person who was told they should play basketball. I finally gave in and played in 8th-12th grades. I was okay but never great.) And your low dribble alternatives sound perfect to me. I'm slowly decluttering my home and life right now. I can't do everything I want to do, so I'm getting rid of all the things/books/started projects that are least important to me to make more time for the most important ones. (and some of the most important are silly and frivolous dreams that make me happy)