March 2025 SOLC–Day 1
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org
After school ends on Thursday, I’ve already changed my mind multiple times. I’m ping-ponging back and forth in my brain.
“No, don’t go. Staying after school is the worst!”
“Oh, you should stay and give it a try.”
“The roads are already awful. It’s only going to get colder. Head home now before it gets worse!”
“It could be fun! You’ve wanted to try this for a while.”
I hem and haw, annoying myself with my indecision. Earlier in the morning, I’d already packed what I needed just in case I wanted to stay. (Which tells you that at this point, I’d been indecisive for about 10 hours. Not one of my finest traits!)
As I ponder my hesitation, I finally realize it’s not about staying after school. And it’s not about the condition of the roads. And it’s not about any other excuses I’m creating. Mostly it boils down to being uncomfortable. I always feel awkward joining group activities (even when I know the people involved), and while I wish I were more relaxed about trying new things and making a fool of myself in front of others…I’m not. Hence my current dilemma.
Finally, after being honest with myself about the root of my indecision, I also realize I am more likely to regret not trying than I am to regret trying.
So, decision made, I switch into gym gear and head toward the gymnasium… five minutes late. As I approach, I can hear balls bouncing, smacking rackets and lots of laughter. The event is already well under way.
I take a deep breath and walk through the door. I spy the gym teacher talking to a few others, and join them. We get a brief introduction to the game and soon hit the courts for a game of doubles. It’s time for staff pickleball!
Was it awkward and did I embarrass myself?
Again and again and again!
Did I also have fun?
Yes.
Am I glad I went, and will I try to go again next week?
Absolutely!
And now it’s time for a new challenge. This is my eleventh year participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge. This year, I really hesitated before deciding to join in. As a friend noted, she was signing up “with trepidation.” There are lots of things I love about participating in the challenge, but I definitely remember some very grumpy, stressful evenings last year when I needed to come up with something to write. March is an especially hard time to take this on, with report cards, teacher conferences and the unrelenting low-level treachery of lingering winter weather. Still, the community is amazing and the sense of satisfaction hard to beat. Also, I didn’t mention it, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that in the back of mind on Thursday it occurred to me that if I tried something new, I might have something to write about. The SOL challenge always encourages me to stretch myself, try new things and tune in to what’s happening around me. Those are huge wins! So, once again, after some indecision, I’m opting in.
Here’s to a month of challenging ourselves and growing together!
Nix the comfort zone 
I’m so glad to read this slice! You describe your feeling of indecision so well- it’s so relatable. And here’s to the SOLC where, like you said, we do new things just so we have something to slice about!
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Slicing for the month definitely makes me try to push myself out there a bit. I hope you give pickleball a try, too!
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Well, no way I’d convince myself to try pickleball(already had one knee replacement, the second coming up at the end of this month!) but I did convince myself to set out on another SOL March Challenge. Hopefully the challenges we have given ourselves will bring positive results! Happy Slice of Life and happy (whatever the rallying cry for pickleball is)!
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I love the idea of a pickleball rallying cry. Happy pickling, maybe? lol Good luck with you upcoming surgery. I look forward to reading your slices this month!
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I’m high-fiving you for pickleball and also for year 11! And also in appreciation and solidarity for the grouchy nights of nothing-to-writeness. At least with the SOL, you know you get a lot out of it. I’m looking forward to some spring images of Maine through your beautiful writing and pictures!
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Thanks, Melanie, but I’m laughing that you think spring arrives in Maine in March! lol I wish!
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When I began reading this, I was not expecting pickleball to be waiting at the end! Yay you! I love how your decision led you to slice one more year! I am sure pickleball will bring you many slices to share!
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I had actually already decided to slice (thanks to a nudge from a colleague!), but the process of deciding seemed so similar to me. Also, I do love how slicing encourages me to try a few new things over the course of the month.
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Glad you opted in again! Love the pickleball slice. I’ve done that too – stretched myself into uncomfortable places – it usually works out for the better – especially if you can laugh at yourself. Well done!
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I admire people who can easily laugh at themselves. I’ve gotten better at this with age, but still have some room to grow!
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I always look forward to your slices. We have many similar traits and tendencies. Indecision is one. I remember one year when my students did the slice challenge, I noticed that many of them, over a vacation, tried new and scary activities, and it was for just the same reason as your pickleball foray. They saw it as an opportunity for adventure…but also a good source of writing possibilities. “Even if it goes badly, it’ll probably make a good story,” one said. That, in.a nutshell, seems like a good reason to take on the slice challenge. It moves us. Cheers to Maine, by the way…showing gumption and courage in the face of threats. At least that’s my perspective.
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Thanks, Peter. I’m hoping I’ll push myself out of my late winter cocoon and try a few things this month. I love the theme you’ve chosen for your slices. I’ve never been organized enough to do that, although this year, I do want to try to focus on the positive–harder to find these days, so especially valuable to notice! I don’t love our governor all the time, but I was very pleased by her actions this past week. And way to go Vermont!
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Molly! I always love reading you and the way you paint those conflicting thoughts in your mind. You made me smile big. It also feels extra special to read your words after meeting you in person. Here’s to a wonderful month writing together 🙂
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Hi Ana! How fun that it was during last year’s challenge that we realized we’d meet each other over the summer! Happy writing!
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Many of us struggle with indecision in late February. I try to justify joining, reminding myself how tough March can be—but embracing the joy in the challenge will make it better! I’m excited to learn pickleball; it’s on my must-do list, and I should fit it in this month for a slice!
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Your comment makes me think maybe I should proactively write a list of things I’ve been meaning to try and consider acting on them over the month. Hmmmm…. I’ll also stay tuned to see if you try pickleball. 🙂
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I’m a kindred spirit when it comes to trying new things. Especially sports. I’ve yet to play pickleball and will likely be the last person in the country to try it. I feel the anxiety of worrying about what to write about, too, especially since I embraced Kim Johnson’s plan. I’m sure the best laid plans will need adjusting!
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I’ve always been a bit haphazard with my slicing approach. A theme or plan is an interesting idea and might remove some of the stress…off to see if I can figure out what Kim Johnson’s plan is!
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Kim explains the plan in this post: https://kimhaynesjohnson.com/2025/02/28/31460/
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Thanks!
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Staff pickleball! So cool. One of our PE teachers has done a zumba class before, but it isn’t a regular thing.
I love how you reason that participating the SOLC helps us to take risks and stretch ourselves. Maybe, in a way, it’s what gets us THROUGH this busy month!
Excited to be slicing with you, Molly!
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I really have found that slicing encourages me to put myself out there just a bit more. We’ll see how that goes this month! What new adventures await?
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I love how your writing is driving your living – – wrapping your arms around some new experiences and opportunities for writing. That’s fabulous that you are seizing the day, grasping the pen. I need to find a gym – – my body needs some exercise! Thanks for inspiring me to consider getting out and moving a little more.
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We’ll see how open I am to new experiences I am when I’m trying to finish grading, write report card comments and prep for conferences along with writing slices. Your plan for this month is so intriguing! I can’t wait to see how it plays out.
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Here’s to pushing past the hesitation and fear! Also, here’s to having a blogging partner so that some of the pressure is off!! (Is that cheating?)
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It’s not cheating–it’s brilliant!
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I love how you wrote this story without telling us what the activity was. I’ve never played pickle ball. Good for you for giving it a try.
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I’m hoping to go again on Tuesday and maybe have improved a little? lol
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I love how you built the suspense of the after school event up to Pickleball, a game near and dear to my heart. I absolutely have a blast playing with people of all levels. Glad you gave it a try but one word of caution-be careful with twists and pivots and going after balls almost impossible to get, because they are not worth the possible knee injury…I speak from experience. Enjoy a happy month of writing and playing pickleball.
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I have heard about a lot of pickle ball injuries (wrist and knee) and luckily, I may be easily embarrassed, but I’m not super competitive. Thanks for the warning though!
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And that’s the key-playing for fun and not fretting if you miss a play. I don’t go for lobs anymore bc I’ve seen too many people fall and hit their head on the ground while trying to run backwards. I just look at the player and say, ‘great shot.’ The game has truly been more fun since I committed to just play for fun. It took a torn meniscus and surgery after my first tournament play. No more of those for me!
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Hooray for stretching! So glad you’re here!
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It feels so good to be writing with this community again 🙂
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Year 11!! Well done…glad you’re back for another year! 🙂 I completely get how you feel. While I’m a risk-taker in much of my life, joining a group class to exercise is way out of my comfort zone. Good job for trying it!! 😉
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I’m amazed that you, the world traveler, are fazed by joining a group exercise class! You and your risk taking are such an inspiration! I can’t wait to hear about how your year has gone.
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When you write I often feel like you are channeling my inner thoughts! That sense of wanting to do something–and then not wanting to do it because it feels uncomfortable. I’m so glad you pushed through and had fun…and that it gave you the perfect slice to start the month with! (And know I am always reading your blog, often before I even get out of bed, even when I don’t manage to comment.)
Kim
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Thanks so much, Kim! I love knowing you’re on the other side of the country taking ocean and bird pictures, too. There’s such a nice symmetry there. I also always enjoy your blog, even when I don’t find time to comment. Happy writing!
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Pickleball! Welcome to 21st century sports. I so often find excuses not to pickle, even though Hannah and I’ve been playing for ten years. Most times, I’m glad I went. Yesterday, I would have preferred walking the Carp Beach!
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